Disney has launched Tales of Courage and Kindness, a new digital storybook collection with 14 original Disney Princess stories aimed at inspiring children to help create a kinder world. The digital book, featuring unique illustrations by artists from around the world is being gifted to kids as part of Ultimate Princess Celebration – a new, global campaign championing the qualities of courage and kindness.
It follows new Disney research revealing that the majority of UK parents (77 per cent) turn to trusted characters, such as the Disney Princess and Queens, to help teach their kids important values and lessons, such as kindness.
With three quarters (78 per cent) of UK parents of young children saying their children have become kinder and more compassionate over the last year, the new storybook demonstrates the positive values of Disney Princess characters, whether that’s Jasmine seeing the good in others, Cinderella treating others with kindness, or Belle befriending the lonely.
Three quarters (75 per cent) of UK parents agree that Disney Princess characters are positive role models for children, and according to UK children, treating others with kindness is the most important way to behave (62 per cent), followed by being a good friend (61 per cent) and being caring (57 per cent).
The stories aim to inspire children through the adventures and values of these beloved characters, who each demonstrate the importance of courage and kindness in the face of adversity. The research found that kindness is regarded as the most important quality for 90 per cent of British parents.
The Tales of Courage and Kindness Story Collection marks the launch of the Ultimate Princess Celebration, which invites audiences of all ages to celebrate and share acts of courage and kindness, inspired by the stories of our beloved Princesses.
Disney has brought together authors and artists from around the world to create 14 new and inspiring stories, brought to life by stunning illustrations, honouring our iconic Disney Princesses and Queens. This Story Collection will be available for free for children and families, providing them with the inspiration to carry out their own small acts of kindness and help to create a kinder world.
For generations, Disney Princesses have enchanted audiences, through their own inspiring stories, teaching us that we should never judge a book by its cover, or feel fearful of sailing beyond the reef, and that the best way to deal with fear, is to let it go. Each Princess story, within the Story Collection, has been dedicated to a child, in recognition of their outstanding act of bravery or selfless endeavour, and demonstrates collectively that we all can have a positive impact on the world around us, no matter how small our act of courage, or kindness, is.
Famous faces and parents Katie Piper and Millie Mackintosh have joined Disney voice talent Kelly Marie Tran (Raya in Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon) and Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in Disney’s Tangled), to read the new stories for families and kids to enjoy on Disney Junior’s YouTube channel.
Katie Piper told us…..
“Disney’s new story collection features tales steeped in the power of kindness and the importance of having courage.
“It’s brilliant to see Disney gifting little ones with such a positive message.”
“Both are key qualities which I do my best to demonstrate to my daughters every day – I think it’s every parent’s hope that their children thrive in a world filled with kindness.”
Child psychologist Laverne Antrobus told us……
“Teaching children the importance of qualities like kindness and courage from a very young age is as important as teaching them maths, science or sport.”
“Generations have grown up learning important values and the principles of kindness from watching their favourite characters on TV, at the cinema or reading their favourite books.”
“Characters such as Disney Princess and Queens help kids understand these important life skills early on.”
“It’s also important to see that doing good things for other people is good for our own wellbeing, as it releases endorphins and boosts our serotonin to make us happier.”
Our reporter Mike Young has been talking to Laverne to find out more about the research.
Disney says the new storybook promotes these values.
“Whether that’s Jasmine seeing the good in others, Cinderella treating others with kindness, or Belle befriending the lonely”.
“Disney stories are timeless, and while each Disney Princess character has her own admirable qualities, courage and kindness connect them all.
“We know that one small act of kindness can have a big impact on others and we hope Tales of Courage and Kindnesshelps to inspire kids to play their part in making the world a kinder place.”
The storybook are now available for families to download for free right HERE.