Smile, Principessa! - Hardcover

Judith Ross Enderle and Stephanie Jacob Gordon have been writing children's books as a team for several years. Their picture books include Something's Happening on Calabash Street and Two Badd Babies. Their writing has also been featured in the Los Angeles Times and in various magazines for children. Together Judith and Stephanie formed Writers Ink, where they work with other children's book authors. They both live in Ventura, California. Visit their Web site at www.writersinkville.com.

Serena Curmi was born in England and grew up on a sailboat, traveling with her family around parts of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. She entertained herself on the boat by painting and drawing, which gave her the grounding to become an artist. Later she earned a degree in illustration from the Falmouth College of Arts in Cornwall, England. She currently resides in London.

Since Principessa was a baby, Papa has taken pictures of the girl, affectionately called Bina—our princess bambina—every day. But then baby brother, Pasquale, nicknamed Bino, arrives. Now no one calls Principessa Bina. Since Papa's photo taking seems all about Bino, Principessa determines not to smile for pictures anymore. When Papa announces plans to enter a photo contest for the child with the most beautiful smile, Principessa sulks, imagining Bino becoming famous Baby Bino. But with coaxing and reassurance from Mama and Papa (and an unexpectedly irresistible, fun interaction with her brother), Principessa smiles again for the camera—and Bino. In animated, descriptive prose, this insightful read captures and conveys Principessa's feelings with amusing, sympathetic, and ring-true flair that is echoed in illustrations filled with whimsical details. Especially for new sisters who've felt out of the picture, on and off camera, this is an entertaining, supportive read. Rosenfeld, Shelle