Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess ~ Tough As Tulle by Deedee Cummings

Book Review and Giveaway

Join us for this book series tour from May 24 to Jun 25, 2021!

The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess series of #OWNVOICE books is for Dreamers and the Doers of all ages. This diverse picture book series is a heartwarming look at the importance of family, speaking our truth, dreaming freely, and knowing our worth. Book 2 is part of a five-part series that shines the spotlight on a little Black girl who never lets anything get in the way of her dreams.

Parents, Caregivers, and Educators: By investing in this series, you help every child see that Black and Brown girls can be leaders, princesses, and the stars of their own stories. Children need to read stories that include characters who look like them. Offering these types of books to young readers is an essential part of building self-esteem, cultivating empathy, encouraging tough conversations, and letting children of color know they matter.

The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess series is inspired by real-life budding Broadway Star, Kayla Pecchioni: a young Black woman who has always lived her life by believing in herself while letting nothing get in the way of her dreams. 

This is the last book of the Kayla: Modern-Day Princess series that I will be reviewing. To see the other reviews click on these titles:

Kayla: The Modern-Day Princess

Kayla: The Modern-Day Princess ~ Dishes, Dance, Dreaming

Book Details:

Book Title:  Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess: Tough as Tulle by Deedee Cummings
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),  29 pages
Genre:  Children’s Book
Publisher:  Make a Way Media
Release date:   July 1, 2021
Format available for review:  print
Tour dates: May 24 to June 25, 2021
Content Rating:  G

Buy the Book:
Make a Way Media

My Thoughts

This story opens with Kayla standing in front of a mirror wearing clothing that makes her feel special, like royalty.  In fact, the beautiful clothes almost make her feel invincible, the way knights might feel wearing armor. In short, she feels terrific.

Yet she’s sad that some of her friends don’t feel good about their reflection. They’re too critical and hard on themselves. Some say their nose is ugly, some feel they are too fat to be a gymnast, and some kids think the very worst thing: they want to change their skin color.

Kayla examines herself more closely in the mirror wondering if she should find fault with her body. But when she spots a mark on her face from chickenpox, she thinks about it and decides she likes it. It makes her even more different and special.

After celebrating her happiness regarding who she is, she settles down to write in her journal. That includes writing to her grandmother in heaven and asking her one special question.

“Why is everything different considered “special” except when it comes to people?”

Kayla then shares examples. There are separate pictures of various shapes and colors of rocks, stamps, and flowers, all variances thought to be beautiful and interesting.

When she’s through writing to her grandmother she closes her journal and waits for a reply. 

While waiting, Kayla decides to head outside where she sees kids playing football.  One of the kids is Tommie, her new friend from  Kayla: The Modern-Day Princess ~ Dishes, Dance, Dreaming. At this football game a new discovery is made, and later while Kayla is drinking a cool glass of lemonade, “Plain as day, she could hear her grandmother’s voice.” 

Though I won’t share the ending of the book, Kayla is left satisfied with the answer. 

My Concerns

• Because so much is covered in this story it is quite lengthy in word count, not pages, for a picture book. 
• Is a small child ready for gender discussions? Each adult should proceed with their own feelings regarding this subject. 
• Will a child want to start writing in a journal and then expecting verbal replies from those who have passed on? Just a thought since kids take most things quite literally.

What I Liked Best

The wonderful idea and illustrations showing the differences between various stones, stamps, and flowers felt perfect for children to understand. That visual is worth so much in helping children realize that those same examples apply to them as well. Plus, it’s a perfect way to bring about discussions. 

I also liked that Kayla wasn’t pointing out that she felt perfect, even though her clothing made her feel that way.  She shared that she felt happy even with her imperfections. It was her empathy for others that caused her to be concerned that her friends weren’t happy with how they looked. This is also, a great topic for discussions.

Final Thoughts

If you’re aware of what this book covers and are comfortable, then I’d like to encourage you to check it out. In fact, I’d suggest you consider the whole series. The illustrations are beautiful and the statement being made was well laid out in this particular book.

My thanks to iRead Book Tours and the author for the ability to read this ebook and to post my opinion.

Rating: ☆☆☆

Tour Schedule:

May 24 – Cover Lover Book Review – book series spotlight / giveaway
May 24 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
May 25 – Lisa’s Reading – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
May 26 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book series spotlight / giveaway
May 26 – Lisa’s Reading – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams / giveaway
May 27 – Lisa’s Reading – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle / giveaway
May 27 – Books for Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess
May 28 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – book series spotlight /giveaway
May 28 – Books for Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams
May 31 – Westveil Publishing – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
May 31 – Books for Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle
June 1 – Westveil Publishing – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams / giveaway
June 2 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
June 2 – Westveil Publishing – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle / giveaway
June 3 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams / giveaway
June 4 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle / giveaway
June 7 – She Just Loves Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess
June 8 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
June 8 – She Just Loves Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams
June 9 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams / giveaway
June 9 – She Just Loves Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle
June 9 – Pick a Good Book – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
June 10 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle / giveaway
June 10 – Pick a Good Book – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams / giveaway
June 11 – Rajiv’s Reviews– book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess
June 11 – Pick a Good Book – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle / giveaway
June 14 – Rajiv’s Reviews– book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams
June 15 – Rajiv’s Reviews– book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle
June 15 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
June 16 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams / giveaway
June 16 – Splashes of Joy – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
June 17 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle / giveaway
June 17 – Splashes of Joy – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams / giveaway
June 18 – Splashes of Joy – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle / giveaway
June 18 – fundinmental – book series spotlight / giveaway
June 21 – Laura’s Interests – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
June 22 – Leels Loves Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
June 22 – Laura’s Interests – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams / giveaway
June 23 – Leels Loves Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams / giveaway
June 23 – Sahar’s Blog – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess / giveaway
June 23 – Laura’s Interests – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle / giveaway
June 24 – Leels Loves Books – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle / giveaway
June 24 – Sahar’s Blog – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams / giveaway
June 25 – Kam’s Place – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess
June 25 – Sahar’s Blog – book review of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess: Tough as Tulle / giveaway

Giveaway Alert

KAYLA: A MODERN-DAY PRINCESS Book Series Tour Giveaway

Click to see more Picture Books with Princesses

Click to see more Picture Books with Princesses