Warrior Princess by Erin Ondersma. Illustrated by Rebecca Symonds

This informative, engaging children’s picture book relates the experiences of 4-year-old Jaelyn who was born with Spina Bifida, a condition that affects the prenatal development of the spinal cord. Called “warrior princess” by her mother, Jaelyn shares the challenges she’s faced and overcome in her short life: numerous doctors’ appointments, multiple surgeries, and difficulties learning to crawl, walk, and run.

Still, she maintains, “I am a regular kid just like you.” She likes the color purple, loves to sing and read books, and enjoys building snowmen. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up. But she knows “I will have to work harder to do the same things as other kids my age.”

In a lovely, subtle way, Warrior Princess affirms the reality that people who have special needs can aspire to and achieve career paths of their choice: the neurosurgeon who performed the surgery on Jaelyn’s spinal cord when she was an infant did so from a wheelchair because she has Spina Bifida, too. 

Rebecca Symonds’ dynamic, photo-like illustrations enliven Erin Ondersma’s enlightening narrative. This book is a valuable resource for teaching children that all people, no matter their challenges or needs, are loved and cherished by God, belong together, and have a role to play in the human family. (Black Rose Writing)