About this Book
Princess and the Pea-tition encourages readers of all ages to question ridiculous systems, use their voice for good, and be the leaders they want to see in the world.
Princess is not a princess. She's just a girl named Princess. But after she unknowingly passes a peculiar test by sleeping on a stack of mattresses and a pea, Princess is told she is a "real princess" and future ruler of the land. Which doesn't make any sense to her. That's not how a leader of a whole land should be chosen.
And so, Princess decides to find a better way, one that's more fair and democratic. She starts The Petition to Eliminate Pea-Based Government in Favor of Elected Representative Leadership in This Land (also called the Pea-tition) and spreads this idea of democracy to the people and creatures of the land. Join Princess in her journey to change a fairytale land forever, one vote at a time.
Complete with a "promise to vote" petition in the back of the book, young readers can sign a promise to vote when they turn 18. Princess and the Pea-tition was adapted into an animated short film narrated by comedian, actress and Saturday Night Live alum, Melissa Villaseñor and is the first book published from the Now Upon A Time storytelling project by The Martin Agency that reimagines classic tales with modern, empowering messaging. Follow them @martinagency
About the author:
Kim Nguyen is a first-generation Vietnamese-Texan writer. She lives in Austin, Texas with her daughter, husband and several foster pugs. She loves telling empowering yet quirky stories for kids. Her award-winning career in advertising and entertainment informs her gently subversive and comedic writing. As a child of Vietnamese refugees, she is dedicated to telling diverse stories that shed light on issues in the world while maintaining a cheerful optimism about the future.
About the illustrator:
Libby VanderPloeg is an artist and illustrator living in southern California. She's best known for her silly, sweet animated gifs celebrating community and inclusivity, and also for her colorful, detailed maps. She believes that art has the power to spark hope and bring about change. When she's not drawing, she loves to explore new places and spend time in nature with her husband and charming dog, Tucker. Follow her @libbyvanderploeg.
"Kim Nguyen's adaptation of this classic fairy tale is a welcomed breath of fresh air that offers a timely and inspiring take on today's modern role models and the power of fearless leadership. Combining stunning illustrations with a story that resonates with every generation, Princess and the Pea-tition is a must-read for young girls and anyone looking to harness their leadership potential for the greater good." – Erin Loos Cutraro, Founder and CEO, She Should Run