A number of things make a children’s book iconic, including tackling pressing social issues, speaking to adults and children alike, and standing the test of time. The only box left to check for “The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Prince: Everybody’s Good at Something” is the test of time. Hot off the printer, Prince A. Sanders’ book continues to build a magically creative universe.
This is the second piece of a puzzle that reflects the author’s childhood. The series is infused with a strongly personal note that immediately disarms the reader, leaving them open to the full magnitude of the experience. The short book is more than just a read; it is an experience of how the world of adults and children intersect.
Seven-year-old Prince is at an exploration-driven age. She spends many breaks chasing the secrets and wonders of nature. Soon her classmates realize that Prince is not following the script. Although her older brother is a star athlete at school, Prince fails to prevail in sports or live up to her brother’s reputation. Before long, Prince begins to feel more like an outsider, and worst of all, a stranger to himself.
Prince grows to accept that his path is different from his brother’s and what others might expect of him. But he still doesn’t know where his own path will take him. The path ahead clears when he least expects it, at a ballet performance. When the whole family goes to see a show, Prince is fascinated by the organic movements of the performers and longs to be part of the magical universe.
While the path may be visible to him, not everyone shares his point of view. It is common for parents and other adults to develop certain expectations and set a course of life for children. However, when they make their own decisions, it is essential to respect their validity and offer support to fulfill their dreams. The truth that Prince sets before us is that one can see one’s own path more clearly than anyone else. However, societal expectations and norms can cast a shadow, threatening the fulfillment of one’s dream and destiny.
The images that bring vibrant colors to the pages of the book deserve special mention. The artist takes vivid snapshots of some of the most pivotal moments in Prince’s life. It is certainly worth stopping at each image to take in the events depicted. True to the mark of a genuine artist, these renderings don’t act as a distraction from the story but build on it, adding a fun new dimension.
Like the previous book, “The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Prince: Everybody’s Good at Something” is accessible to early readers (ages 6-8), but can be read by children of all ages. In fact, parents or any adult who is immersed in the world of children could somehow benefit from this moving story told by Prince A. Sanders. It is a wonderful tale that can inspire children to follow their dreams and adults to cherish the often fragile dreams of childhood.