Historic Princesses Provide Strong Role Models for Kate Middleton

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y., April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The British royal wedding is in the news, and girls are indulging their princess fantasies with an enthusiasm not seen since Charles married Diana. But becoming a princess can be about much more than wearing a tiara. As readers will learn from the series The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses, some historic princesses were powerful leaders. Artemisia, of Ancient Greece, commanded her own fleet during the Greco-Persian Wars, India's Nur Jahan managed the Moghul court, and Hatshepsut ruled triumphantly for twenty-two years as Egypt's first female Pharaoh. In her inspiring series, award-winning author Shirin Yim Bridges shows how these six women broke the mold. Now, their stories can empower girls with exciting role models while shedding new light on historic times and places.

The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses goes beyond the familiar to focus on female leaders who may not be well-known to American girls. Mongolia's Sorghaghtani was known for shrewd decision-making and policies. Isabella of Castile held equal power with her husband, Ferdinand, and united Spain. And Qutlugh Terkan Khatun created a "golden age" for Kirman, in what's now Iran.

As Kate Middleton prepares to become a princess, these fun non-fiction books give girls new ways to think about princesses. The series, which is a Junior Library Guild selection, includes:

• Hatshepsut of Egypt, the first female Pharaoh
• Artemisia of Caria, a queen and admiral who commanded Xerxes' respect
• Sorghaghtani of Mongolia, Genghis Khan's daughter-in-law, who consolidated her family's control of a vast empire
• Qutlugh Terkan Khatun of Kirman, so well-respected that the people petitioned her to become ruler after her husband's death
• Isabella of Castile, whose reign brought riches and power to Spain
• Nur Jahan of India, the Moghul ruler who improved the lot of women, and who was also a poet and designer

Readers learn not only how each princess came to power and wielded influence, but also what she wore and ate. The stories, packed with drama and romance, are colorfully illustrated by Albert Nguyen's paintings. Each includes a pronunciation guide and timeline. Learn more at http://goosebottombooks.com.

Shirin Yim Bridges book, Ruby's Wish, won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and was a PW Best Children's Book. Her book, The Umbrella Queen, is a TIME/CNN Top 10 Children's Book.

SOURCE Goosebottom Books