Princess Pete
Feel confident to be exactly who you are in this happy, feel-good picture book sparkling with love, kindness and acceptance of everybody. For ages 3+
Age 3+
Picture Storybooks
"An inclusive, softly sparkling picture book." Guardian
"Princess Pete made my heart sing! A sweet, kind, funny story about being yourself." Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal
“A sparkling, heartfelt story full of hope and joy.” Ian Eagleton, author of Glitter Boy
Pete is just like you. They like a LOT of different things – wearing red trousers and flowery dresses, playing with make-up and running outside in the mud. They like playing, reading, and imagining fantastical worlds filled with flying pegacorns and singing hedgehogs. Sometimes Pete wants to be a prince, and sometimes a princess. But whoever Pete wants to be, their family and friends love and accept them, just as they are.
Filled with messages of love and inclusivity, every child will feel reassured and confident to express their unique identity in this empowering and authentic picture book by two LGBTQIA+ creators, illustrated with heart and imagination by a Waterstones Children's Book Prize-shortlisted artist.
- Perfect for children aged 3+
- With sparkling foil on the cover!
- For fans of Julian is a Mermaid, My Shadow is Pink and Grandad's Camper.
- Bright, dreamlike and magical illustrations, plus Pete's companion sausage dog!
- A gently powerful introduction to identity, self-expression and belonging.
- For parents, schools and libraries looking for inclusive books that champion diversity, and equality.
- LGBTQIA+ representation and a must-read for Pride.
Creators
Zoey Allen is a transgender woman based in Cardiff, Wales. Along with a passion for creating diverse stories including My Momma Zo and My Brother George, co-written with Kelly Allen and illustrated by Tara O'Brien, she is also a passionate singer/songwriter with a number of solo releases and releases with her rock band Fenix. She also runs a funky handmade jewellery brand called KelZo Jewellery which has a strong focus on LGBTQIA+ representation. Follow on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X @zoey_otl to see what she is up to.
Frenci Sanna is a non-binary illustrator and picture book author from Sardinia. Their debut picture book, The Journey, won the Klaus Flugge Award, the Amnesty International CILIP Honor, the Ezra Jack Keats Book Awards Honor, and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Illustration. Their other books include Move, Mr Mountain, Me and My Fear, My Friend Earth written by Patricia MacLachlan and If You Were a City written by Kyo Maclear. Their books have been translated into more than 20 languages. Find them online at francescasanna.com and on Instagram as @frencisan.
Reviews
Imaginative Princess Pete, who loves blue wellies, butterfly sandals, getting mucky and playing salons, doesn’t always feel like a boy or a girl – but their parents accept them just as they are in this inclusive, softly sparkling picture book.
The Guardian
For a positive and uplifting picture book about the LGBTQ+ experience, look no further than Princess Pete… It’s a simple yet beautiful tale about self-acceptance, accompanied by joyful illustrations.
Press Association
“Princess Pete made my heart sing! A sweet, kind, funny story about being yourself.”
Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal
Such language might very well be used by non-binary or gender-fluid children who have yet to acquire those words; it’s a good way help them explain how they feel, age- appropriately, especially if, as is shown in one of Frenci’s scenes, people are finger pointing at the protagonist. An affirming story for all.
Red Reading Hub
