The book is written by Silke Schnee and illustrated by Heike Sisting. Both, writer and illustrator, are from Germany.
Here is my initial reaction before even reading the book: if I ever write a children’s book, I want Heike Sisting to do my illustrations. She is a talented artist who brought this story to life!
Here is what the back of the book says:
The royal couple is looking forward to their third child. “He looks a little different,” muses the king at Prince Noah’s arrival. “He is not like the others,” agrees the queen. Soon they notice what a very special person he is, even though he can’t do everything his brothers can.
When Prince Noah disarms the cruel knight Scarface, the nation’s most dreaded enemy, with an act of compassion, everyone finally realizes how good it is that each person is unique.
This delightfully illustrated fairy tale for children three years and older instills appreciation for children with Down syndrome and other developmental challenges, making it a valuable aid for teaching tolerance in the home or classroom.
There are children who are slower, who can’t run so well, who can say just a few words or none at all. Each of them belongs in our world and enriches it.
I sat down to read the book with all three of my girls ages 8, 9, and 10.
“It’s about a boy who has Down syndrome!” I said.
“Like me?” Nichole said.
“Yes, like you!” I said.
“And he is a Prince Nichole, just like you are a princess!” my oldest said.
“OKAY!” Nichole said (and yes, she did scream with excitement)
I opened the book and started reading.
We were two pages in and my middle daughter wheeled herself away (she has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair to get around since she’s currently in a body cast due to a surgery).
“Hey, Nina, don’t you want to read the story with us?” I said.
“Nah. I don’t really like it and I’m going to play Nintendo.” She said.
“We just got started!” I said.
“I don’t like books.” She said. Which sadly, is true.
So I kept reading. Half way through, my youngest climbed down from my lap and got on the floor with her Barbies.
“Nichole, let’s keep reading!” I said.
“No.” She said.
“It’s about the boy with Down syndrome, like you!” I said.
And she didn’t say anything back to me because her Barbies started talking to each other and it was a lost cause. She, however, loves books. Usually we go through book after book after book. But, she is picky about which ones she likes and which ones she doesn’t. If you are wondering, her favorite book is, “Silly Sally” by Audrey Wood, and Dr. Seuss is a big favorite of hers too.
So my oldest and I finished the book with no further interruptions. When we got to the last page we did not realize the story was done, and the following page had information about the author and so we read it.
It is a cute book and a cute story. This children’s book is really the story of the author’s family. I can picture her writing the story for her kids. And as a family story it is must be a great treasure. It is the type of story a mom (or dad) will tell her kids at night transforming their life into a fairytale. I think many of us parents have done that.
The questions is, is her family’s story a story that will interest other kids that are not part of this particular family?
So I will refer to expert feedback, or the audience of the book, which are kids. Particularly, I will refer to my children and their reactions to The Prince Who Was Just Himself
Two lost interest.
My oldest finished it and had several thoughts about it:
– The book actually never mentions that the boy has Down syndrome. We know he does by his looks and the fact that the author wrote this book based on her family, but as a story we do not hear the words Down syndrome.
– The children face the evil Scarface, “What kind of parents would ever allow their children to go fight an evil man! I don’t care if they were scared of him, wouldn’t they be more scared that he would harm their kids! Parents protect their kids!” she said. And it is a valid point.
– She had big questions about how the boy defeated the evil Scarface. She’s a smart kid, she wants details, actions, help me see how a boy who has trouble walking rides a horse on his own and somehow ends up on the evil man’s horse. She understands the act of kindness, but not how the opportunity to do so would have realistically happened.
I agree with what the author says in the back of the book, “There are children who are slower, who can’t run so well, who can say just a few words or none at all. Each of them belongs in our world and enriches it.” Yes, all children belong in our world and enrich it.
As for my personal thoughts on the book, the illustrations are terrific, but it felt like a fairytale about the author’s family, and I had a hard time connecting to the narrative.
My oldest thought it was a cute story, but I doubt she will pick it up and read it again.
Still, I’m glad I have this book in my collection of disability related books. The book does show that everyone has something to offer, and an act of compassion can be what another person needs most in their life. Three out of five stars.
Get the book, The Prince Who Was Just Himself
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