Lessons from ‘Disney princess’ Anika Noni Rose’s first picture book

It was an invitation we couldn’t refuse. After all, it isn’t every day that you get to meet Anika Noni Rose, the Tony-winning actress (“Caroline, or Change”) known in Hollywood for playing Lorrell Robinson, the third Dreamgirl opposite Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson in the 2006 movie musical “Dreamgirls.”

For young kids, Anika is best-remembered for voicing Tiana, Disney’s first African-American princess, in 2009’s “The Princess and the Frog.” Two years later, she was declared a Disney Legend, along with Jodi Benson (Ariel from “The Little Mermaid”), Paige O’Hara (Belle from “Beauty and the Beast”), Linda Larkin (Jasmine from “Aladdin”) and Lea Salonga (the singing voice of Jasmine from “Aladdin” and Mulan from “Mulan”).

Power of storytelling

The special invitation was for the D23 Rise & Shop Media and Creator Breakfast, for media practitioners to shop and explore limited-edition merchandise from D23 Marketing, Disney Publishing and Disney Store, where we were given the opportunity to meet Anika and receive a signed copy of her upcoming book “Tiana’s Perfect Plan,” published by Disney Hyperion and set for release on Oct. 22.

The minute she learned that we were from the Philippines, she said, “Mabuhay and salamat, Rito”—the same words she scribbled in our copy of the book. “Now I wish I knew more Filipino words … (laughs)!”

When asked to talk more about her 48-page, 8 1/2” x 10 7/8” effort as a debuting picture-book author, she said, “I’m so excited to be here with you today and talk about the power of storytelling, which, of course, I am no stranger to. But really, storytelling is so important. It fulfills our lives. It makes our experiences greater, especially when we start very small, and all through our lives.

“In my new book, ‘Tiana’s Perfect Plan,’ Tiana goes on an adventure looking for some magic for Mardi Gras, but it doesn’t turn out the way she wants it to. So, she has to realize that sometimes, ‘perfect’ isn’t what you’re looking for. Sometimes, ‘perfect’ is merely doing the best that you can—and that message is very important.

Message

“It’s probably a message that’s also meant for me, let’s be clear about that (laughs). But I also want babies [and kids] to learn and start knowing that lesson a little earlier, so they won’t be beating themselves up so much as they move further along into life.”

In the storybook, Princess Tiana receives a letter that drives her to embark on a new adventure with some familiar friends, like Louie the Alligator and Juju the Snake. Her mission: To find a magical ingredient needed to make the perfect cake for her royal in-laws, the King and Queen of Maldonia—who want to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans with Tiana and her hubby, Prince Naveen. Unfortunately, getting that special ingredient is easier said than done.

Anika dedicates the book—illustrated with sobering insight by Olivia Duchess over inventive strokes draped by lush, kid-friendly colors—to her mommy (“who read me voices”) and daddy (“who gave me my love of words”).