I wasn't sure about a wordless book for my three year old. I needn't have worried, M.R. Nelson and Holly Liminton have a real hit on their hands in my house. Our little one has taken to Petunia, and cant wait for more, she even likes to "read" it to others. The message about differences and being yourself are clear, and the book itself is fun. What more could we ask for our children?

Cute story about Petunia who was a tomboy and definitely not a princess. She loves to climb, play in mud and get dirty things princesses do not like to do. Then, she meets a friend and they play together. My daughter loved looking at the pictures and telling me what was going on.

Read this book through with my young stepdaughter. She enjoyed the pictures (especially the muddy puddles) and me telling the story. We talked about what was happening on each page and she was able to point to and name some of the things in the pictures. I'm not a huge fan of just picture books but they are good for little ones who enjoy talking about the story and pointing out different parts of the pictures. Each time we have read it we have been able to discuss different things which is nice and not as repetitive as story books with words.

I like the idea that you can be yourself, and yet fit in with your friends who are different. I love that the changes are so that the girls can play together and not because one of them was superior to the other.

The title already has me loving this. Yes, she’s adamant about not being a princess, even though she’s lonely being the only tomboy in town. Then another girl moves in who completely dresses like a princess, but has the heart of a tomboy (though I’m suspicious of how her dress never gets dirty, even in the mud). So Petunia—neither a princess nor a tomboy name—learns not to judge as well as try new things.
Nothing spectacular in the art work, but then it’s better that it doesn’t stand out.

Cute picture book about a swashbuckling adventuress named Petunia. In this story, Petunia starts off as way too busy to be a princess with her friends. As the story progresses, she meets a new friend who shows her that being a princess isn't so bad. In turn, Petunia teaches her friend that there is always time for adventure and fun, even if you're a princess! Adorable pictures + a great message = one heck of a recommendation from this neighborhood children's librarian!

I usually enjoy children's fiction a lot and this book was not the exception. It was great.

The story it tells is one of acceptance. I believe in the importance of teaching kids to embrace themselves and to respect others even when they appear to be different because we can always learn that we are not that different after all. This is book is perfect for that matter.
And the illustrations were wonderful.

Petunia, the Girl who was NOT a Princess by M.R. Nelson. Illustrated by Holly Liminton. Xist Publishing. Petunia, a lively, imaginative girl who likes to climb trees and make mud pies makes a new “princess” friend in her neighborhood and comes to realize that she does not have to change who she is to enjoy different types of people and that it is okay not to identify as a “princess” just because she is a girl. The illustrations are bright and cozy. Thanks to NetGalley and Xist Publishing for providing this ebook for review.

I loved the idea behind this book and the images/illustrations used were spot on.
It is easy to follow, nice and bright and has a great ending - 4 stars from me.

Cute picture book with a wonderful message! Petunia is not a princess because she likes to get dirty, climb trees, catch lizards, etc. But, she's lonely. Lucky for her a new girl moves next door. She discovers that she can be friends with kids who like other stuff...like princesses. Illustrations are one of a kind.

Just because you are a girl does not mean that you want to be a princess. It’s okay to like climbing trees, making mud pies and playing sports. But sometimes even princesses like to do that too. Play is play.

Petunia is a little girl who lives in a house that is not a castle and she does not want to be a princess. Petunia loves wearing her favorite sweatshirt, not fancy, frilly dresses like the other princesses. Petunia likes to play outside and get messy. The other princesses do not play like Petunia they want to dance with their princes, so Petunia plays by herself. When a new girl moves in next door, Petunia is excited that she might have a friend, but Penelope is a Princess too. What Petunia finds out is that even though Penelope dresses like a princes, she likes to play outside and get messy too. In fact when Petunia gives it a try, she figures out that dancing can be fun. Penelope and Petunia become best friends.

What a great story. We learn that it is okay to be different, little girls do not have to be princesses but can be messy and love sports and playing outside, that we should not judge people by appearances and we should give things a try because we might like them. This is a story that all kids need to read. It is great to be an individual and do what makes you happy. There were simple colourful illustrations that help to tell the story and show the emotion on the faces of the characters. A great book for family, school and class libraries.

Not all girls want to be princesses. Not all girls want to be tom-boys either. And not all girls want to be put into a box. Then there is Petunia. She has friends, but they all dress like princesses, and want to play at having balls. Petunia wants to climb trees, wear sweats, and have other types of fun. What do you do when all your friends want to play at being princesses?

In this cute picture book about being yourself, Petunia discovers that not all girls that <em>dress</em> like princesses, act like princesses, when she meets her new neighbor, who likes to get dirty, and climb trees, but still wear a pretty dress.

This is a great book for kids that don't fit into the either or box. I would have been Petunia's neighbor as a kid, never quite fitting all the way into one box or the other.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

This is an adorable story about a girl who is DEFINITELY not a princess. The illustrations are humorous and accurately depict the adventures of Petunia and the other girls. Children are sure to find their antics delightful. This is a nice way to remind kids that they don't have to fit just one mold, but they can pick and choose the things they like and follow their hearts.

In this wordless book a story of a young girl that does not like anything to do with princesses is told. Princesses cannot do fun things--or at least that is what Petunia believes. Then another little girl moves in next door and even though she dresses like a princess she loves all of Petunia's favorite things too.

Maybe princesses can be fun too.