Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess: Tough Tulle by Deedee Cummings {Children's Book Review}

Tough Tulle is another amazing read with valuable lessons from author Deedee Cummings.

Disclosure: I received this book to review through iRead Book Tours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess series of #OWNVOICE books is for Dreamers and the Doers of all ages. This diverse picture book series is a heartwarming look at the importance of family, speaking our truth, dreaming freely, and knowing our worth. Book 2 is part of a five-part series that shines the spotlight on a little Black girl who never lets anything get in the way of her dreams.

Parents, Caregivers, and Educators: By investing in this series, you help every child see that Black and Brown girls can be leaders, princesses, and the stars of their own stories. Children need to read stories that include characters who look like them. Offering these types of books to young readers is an essential part of building self-esteem, cultivating empathy, encouraging tough conversations, and letting children of color know they matter.

The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess series is inspired by real-life budding Broadway Star, Kayla Pecchioni: a young Black woman who has always lived her life by believing in herself while letting nothing get in the way of her dreams.

The third book in a five-part series, this diverse picture book shines the spotlight on a little brown girl who loves musical theater and never lets anything get in the way of her dreams. Everyone else has an idea of who she should be, but in the end, she discovers that she is the one who gets to decide.

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I cannot wait to see where the last two books in this series take us because the stories and the lessons within the books have been phenomenal! And I love the message that everyone is special – regardless of their outward appearance.

Tough Tulle focuses on why people think unique and different things are ‘special’ but when a person is different and unique, they are considered weird or wrong. While the message is that different is special and we are all special, its a reminder that not everyone thinks that way.

There is a second lesson within the book that I don’t want to share because it was an amazing surprise with superb responses that I really feel is a valuable lesson to every. single. person. alive. Regardless of being a child or an adult.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and look forward to reading more! These are definitely books I plan on sharing with my 8 year old and will pass on to friends who have kids too!

Meet the Author:

As a therapist, attorney, CEO of Make A Way Media, and author of fifteen children’s books, Deedee Cummings has a passion for ensuring equality, inclusion, and social justice for the next generation. Since her first book published in 2014, Cummings has been on a mission to help young dreamers and doers “see themselves” in the pages of the books they read.

Cummings has spent more than two decades working within the family therapy and support field, and much of her writing shares her experiences of working with kids in therapeutic foster care.

By the end of 2021, this #OWNVOICES author will have fifteen diverse children’s books to her credit, including the Rapid Release of her Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess five-book series. All fifteen of Cummings’ diverse picture, poetry, and workbooks for kids reflect her professional knowledge and love of life.

Cummings is also the founder and creator of the Louisville Book Festival, a literacy-based celebration in Louisville, KY, celebrated on October 22nd and 23rd, 2021.

More by Deedee Cummings

This Is The Earth by Deedee Cummings, Illustrated by Charlene Mosley
In the Nick of Time by Deedee Cummings, Illustrated by Charlene Mosley
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess by Deedee Cummings