“Not every princess needs a prince to save her. Sometimes, she only needs the courage to find her own voice.”
Confidence is something every child needs, but it doesn’t always come naturally. Some children can walk into a room, make friends, and speak their minds without a second thought. For others, even saying hello to someone new can take a great deal of courage.
The wonderful thing about confidence is that it isn’t simply something children are born with. It’s something they can develop over time, through encouragement, experience, and those little moments that help them believe in themselves.
And who could understand this better than a teacher?
As a first-grade educator, Delores Henriques understands how important these moments can be. Every classroom brings together children with different personalities, talents, and ways of expressing themselves. While some eagerly raise their hands and share their ideas, others may need a little more time and reassurance.
But how do you teach a young child something as important as finding their own voice?
Henriques found inspiration in Stephen R. Covey’s eighth habit, Find Your Voice and Inspire Others to Find Theirs. The lesson carried a meaningful message, but explaining confidence, individuality, and self-expression to a six-year-old isn’t quite the same as explaining them to an adult.
So, instead of giving children another lesson to memorize, she decided to tell them a story.
And what better way to capture a child’s imagination than with a princess, an enchanting kingdom, and a little mystery?
A Fairy Tale Born From a Classroom Lesson
That idea became The Princess Who Found Her Voice, a beautifully illustrated children’s picture book that invites young readers into a royal world where everything appears wonderful, yet something precious is missing.
Henriques dedicated the book to her first-grade students and the children of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, encouraging them to recognize their unique gifts and find the courage to share them.
Rather than telling children what confidence should look like, she lets them discover its meaning through the adventures of a little princess.
There are magnificent castles, grand celebrations, beautiful gowns, and all the wonders one might expect from a fairy tale. Yet, beneath the royal splendor lies a question that even grown-ups may find themselves wondering about.
Can someone have everything their heart desires and still feel that something is missing?
To find out, readers must journey to the Kingdom of Trelawne.
Once Upon a Time, There Was a Princess Who Had Everything, But…
In a magnificent palace adorned with golden mirrors, velvet cushions, and more toys than any child could count, lived a little girl named Princess Anne.
Her father, King Greenleaf, loved her more than all the riches in his kingdom. Ever since Queen Liana, Anne’s beloved mother, had passed away, the king had done everything in his power to keep his precious daughter happy.
Whatever Anne wished for, he tried to provide.
Beautiful dresses? Of course!
Painting lessons, dancing, and marvelous puppet shows? Anything for his little princess!
And yet, despite all these lovely things, there were days when Anne wandered through the palace looking terribly sad.
The king was puzzled. What could possibly be troubling his daughter?
One day, a royal adviser offered a rather splendid suggestion. Perhaps the princess needed something the palace had never truly given her: friends her own age.
And so, the king decided to arrange a magnificent birthday celebration, inviting children from villages far and wide.
Oh, what a celebration it would be!
The palace was dressed in ribbons and flowers. Tables overflowed with delicious cakes and sweet treats. Merry music echoed through the grand halls, and children arrived in their finest clothes, eager for an unforgettable day.
Surely, this would be the happiest day of Princess Anne’s life!
But as the festivities began, something unexpected happened.
While the other children laughed, danced, and played together, Anne discovered that joining them wasn’t nearly as easy as she had imagined.
Why did the words seem so difficult to find? And why, even in a room filled with laughter, did she still feel so alone?
What happens next takes readers beyond the glittering palace halls, where a cherished memory, a familiar melody, and a little courage may hold the answer Anne has been searching for.
But can the princess discover what even her loving father could not give her?
Ah, that is a secret best left for young readers to uncover!
A Little Voice Can Make a Wonderful Difference
Beyond its castles and royal celebrations, The Princess Who Found Her Voice offers young readers valuable lessons about confidence, friendship, kindness, and believing in themselves.
For children who struggle to make friends or speak up, Princess Anne’s story offers a gentle reminder that being quiet doesn’t mean having nothing important to say.
As one meaningful line from the book reminds us:
“It’s not about having a loud voice. It’s about having a true one.”
For parents and educators, Henriques’s fairy tale offers a wonderful opportunity to help children talk about their feelings, recognize their strengths, and find the courage to express themselves.
Now published, The Princess Who Found Her Voice by Delores Henriques is a charming addition to family bookshelves, bedtime reading, and elementary classrooms.
Perhaps the next little reader who visits the Kingdom of Trelawne will discover something wonderful about themselves, too.
Because every child has a voice worth hearing.
About the Author
Delores Henriques is a first-grade educator and children’s book author who believes every child deserves the chance to discover their unique gifts and express themselves with confidence. Inspired by her experiences in education, she wrote The Princess Who Found Her Voice to share meaningful lessons about friendship, kindness, and self-belief through the magic of storytelling.
For more information about Delores Henriques and her books, visit:
- Amazon: Delores Henriques Author Page
- Website: dellabiz.com
- Email: deloreshenriques15@gmail.com
