Iowa author Lynne Roers is celebrating the release of the second edition of her children’s book The Pretend Princess, with illustrations by Tiffany Harris.
The tale begins by introducing the Pretend Princess, a self-serving ruler who would rather feast and play in her fancy palace than help her people. Everything changes when two little boys come to her gate, asking for help and food. When the Pretend Princess will not hear them, Lady Wisdom and her Peacemakers come to the rescue, guiding the boys and the people in bringing the Kingdom of God to the land.
“Several years ago, my illustrator Tiffany told me, ‘A good story leaves room for questions.’ I never forgot that. And if that is the case, then I believe The Pretend Princess is a good story!” shared Roers. “It is an allegory that can be applied to the past and the present. I hope it sparks conversations between kids and the adults who read with them about how we should all treat one another. I hope it leads them farther down the path toward light and truth.”
The striking, intricate illustrations by Harris take their inspiration from classic Russian artwork. Readers can expect to see intricately patterned clothing, like the Princess’s kokoshnik headdress, as well as colorful, onion-domed palaces.
“I love collaborating with Tiffany,” said Roers. “She freshened up some illustrations from the original book and added new ones to this second edition. I can always count on her to bring her A-game to a project.”
This edition of The Pretend Princess is dedicated in memoriam to Roers’ mother and brother, Roberta Jean and Bryan Lee Gravett. It was published through the Write Place and is available for purchase on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com. It is Roers’ second book with the Write Place; the first was an ABC book titled The Amazing King of Zion, which was published in 2024 and also features illustrations by Harris.
Lynne Roers is a writer and poet who lives in Bloomfield, Iowa, with her husband, Peter. She cites Dr. Seuss as one of her greatest early influences. She hopes The Pretend Princess impacts readers in the same way his works impacted her, with words that jump from the page and come to life in every reader’s heart.
