Princess books

Almost everything Raina calls her own is something someone else previously called his/her own. Yes, her parents are second-hand junkies and we LOVE all the free clothes and toys and whatnot that Raina receives from loving friends and family members. Last xmas was especially great; we asked her cousins to clean out their closets and give away what they didn't want anymore. Raina received a TON of toys and puzzles and books, which we have periodically pored through as the months have progressed. Raina's favorite of all of these is the Disney Princess Books collection, a series of books where the protagonist (a Disney princess) is stuck in a tricky situation and then ponders "what would a princess do?" before coming to a perfectly reasonable and character-building solution. Raina adores these books, and every sane adult despises them. In fact, Raina frequently will ask for us to read her book, the adult will say yes, and then cringe when Watch Out, Ariel!: A Story about Paying Attention or Just in Time: A Story about Patience or the like is plopped on the couch. They are excruciatingly awful, and I don't understand WHY in the world our daughter prefers these stories over ones with, say, interesting dialogue or pictures or a decent plot line.

I began to wonder whether it was just the identification with the princess she liked ... whether Raina loves these books because they have female characters. So, when at Goodwill, I purchased the Little House series (for a whopping $7) in the hope that these stories will catch on too. If so, Raina has some Anne of Green Gables and Ramona in her future!