Disney Princesses

‘Sofia the First: Royal Magic’ is a new chapter for Sofia the First

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

She’s back for a brand new chapter in her life. Sofia, the girl from the village who became a princess overnight tackles new adventures in her new animated series Sofia the First: Royal Magic. The popular series Sofia the First (2012-2018) inspired several additional films, and now a brand new series on Disney Jr. and streaming on Disney+.

It’s her time to shine in this new series which focuses on Sofia at a new school. Miss Nettles opened The Charmswell School for Royal Magic. Little Sofia is anxious to begin her training in potions, charms, and sorcery. While her brother James and sister Amber stay at Royal Prep, Sofia embarks on new challenges.

The pilot not only introduces Sofia to her new school, but also new classmates and friends. The school is divided into three castles with four students in each, and the castles represent the founders of Royal Prep: Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, the fairies from Sleeping Beauty. Sofia is assigned to the Merryweather castle, along with her new classmates Layla, Zane, and Camila.

Sofia and her castle-mates vie for the selection of castle pets as they learn to work together to win the race for the first pick. Racing against the two other teams, Sofia and her friends must work out three different situations using their intelligence and their magic, as well as teamwork. While they go from one puzzle to another, their friendship grows and they learn to not only work together, but also trust each other.

And, yes, for all those who enjoyed the first series when Sofia met other Disney princesses, there is an appearance by one of them (no spoiler as to whom), who gives her more insight into the power of the Amulet of Avalor. The Amulet has magic that has served the little princess well in the past, and now Sofia is entrusted with the task of learning more about the powers is gives her and how to use them. She is told she must master the magic of the amulet.

The series promises more appearances by various Disney princesses. It is a fun show with plenty of new situations for Sofia and her new friends.

And watch for little Pepper, an adorable little puppercorn (puppy-unicorn)  who is always up for fun.

The original series still holds the record for the Top 3 cable TV telecasts for Girls 2-5 of all time and remains one of the most successful global preschool franchises for The Walt Disney Company. Sofia the First won the Annie Award in 2014 for Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production for Preschool Children.

For additional fun with Sofia, Sofia the First: Magical Friends is a new short-form series introducing viewers to Sofia’s new school and friends. It is available on Disney Jr., Disney+, and the Disney Jr. YouTube channel.

Sofia the First: Royal Magic premieres May 25, 2026 on Disney Jr. and streams the following day on Disney+. Abracadabra, this is definitely a cute show for fans of Sofia (reruns of the previous series and movies are available on various platforms) and also introduces new fans to the little princess and the wonders of Enchancia and magic and a lot of fun with this endearing young princess.  Move over Hogwarts. The Charmswell School is more fun, more colorful, and more entertaining!

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Beyond the Tiara – Disney Princess’ – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Whether your favorite Disney princess is Aurora, Belle, Tiana, Snow White, or someone else, this new book covers them all. It’s a beautifully designed book with a hard cover that makes it nice to display.

 

Raya is the newest Disney princess so she is not included, however the following princesses are featured: Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Merida, Moana, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Tiana, with a shout out to Vanellope.

The book delves into the history of the characters, the films and the design of them all. With the advent of live-action Disney princess movies, this aspect is also included, although most of us probably most recognize the characters from their animated films. Also included are looks at the actors who play the famous women in the live action versions as well as those who voice the animated characters.

 

The Disney princesses are entrenched in pop culture. They are recognizable around the world. This book brings them all together, with the backgrounds as well as everything that goes into creating a Disney princess. Whether it is their iconic fashions, the songs, the dolls and games, and the art, the immense facts within the pages of the book are amazing and worth exploring.

With input from those who were part of the creation of the iconic characters, there are some eye-opening admissions about how they were created. To be honest, this is all encompassing when it comes to the Disney princesses. It is not a fluff book. It delves deep into all aspects of the characters.

 

Whether you’re five, fifty, or eighty, the Disney princesses have touched your life. In the back of the book is a timeline when the different princesses made their debuts and other appearances. Did you know that Snow White, Cinderella, and Jasmine were part of an episode of Full House?  Splash Mountain in the Disney parks is being transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to encompass this delightful princess and her story. (This part is not in the book. It’s just an additional fact.) The princesses are beloved characters throughout all the Disney parks and little kids love dressing up like their favorite Disney princess.

 

Jodi Benson, who voices Ariel, penned the foreword to the book. She admits, “Ariel and I are a lot alike.”

Disney Princesses have evolved over the years. No longer do they wait for their prince. Nevertheless, their true loves are still important in their lives.

While it is not a book for kids per se, sharing some of the background and the fashions with them might be of interest. And they will definitely enjoy the pictures.

Beyond the Tiara: Disney Princess is a great holiday gift this year, and a fun birthday gift for anyone who enjoys the characters.

Beyond the Tiara: Disney Princess – The Stories, The Influence, The Legacy

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Epic Ink (September 20, 2022)
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0760373620
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0760373620

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

Newest additions to Disney Animator Dolls

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Disney Animators’ Collection has been loved by kids as well as collectors The newest addition to this beloved line of products includes a plush gift set as well as this year’s mini gift set.

Plush Doll Set

Five treasured Disney Princesses join together in the Plush Doll Set. These sweet little girls are approximately 12-13 inches high and are dressed in their typical clothing. Ariel, Belle, Tiana, Elsa, and Anna are adorable together or separately.

The dolls are soft and the attention to detail in their facial expressions as well as their dresses is what would be expected in higher priced plush dolls. Yet, as usual, Disney has taken care with their precious princesses and each plush is representative of her story and characteristics.

This collection makes a great holiday gift for anyone – young or old – who adores the Disney Princesses as well as the Disney Animators’ line. They sit perfectly on a bookshelf and add a little whimsy to anywhere they are placed. Mix and match them any way you want. They not only add fun to a shelf, chair, or bed, they also add color. To put it in other words, they are a great addition to any collection for any age

Because there are no attachments to pull off and swallow, the dolls are appropriate for all ages 0+.

 

 

Disney Animators’ Mini Doll Set

 

In this year’s collection, the highlighted princess is Snow White. As collectors of the Disney Animators’ Mini Doll Sets know, each year there is a new collection of five inch animator dolls (miniature versions of the larger ones), and this year Snow White is accompanied by a deer, a bunny, a squirrel, a bird, and has a little bench on which to sit or place the pie that looks almost good enough to eat. There is also a brush to untangle her beautiful black hair.

Besides Snow White, this year’s collection includes Tinker Bell, Tiana, Belle, Pocahontas, Jasmine, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Aurora, Anna, Elsa, and Moana. Each doll is dressed in her traditional attire. There are no boys in this year’s collection, but the girls are always eager to play together.

Imagine the original Animators’ dolls shrunken down to five inches. That is exactly what these are. The attention to detail is not overlooked just because the scale is smaller. These dolls look exactly like the larger ones in the collection.

And the box containing the dolls is beautiful. Each doll has her own cubby decorated with designs from her story and in in colors that represent her life. Snow White, who takes center stage this year, has a picture of the cottage in which she lived with the seven dwarfs. The presentation of this collection is something collectors always look forward to, and imagine the wide eyes on the face of a child who unwraps this as a gift for the holidays. It is quite simply the ultimate collection, and one fans look forward to every year.

This collection is for ages 3+

These two latest additions to the Disney Animators’ Collection are worthy of any fans of the princesses or the collection. They are quick to sell out so check the website often.

 

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists,  is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.