Olivia, The Make-Believe Princess

About the Book

Olivia and Miguel live in the village of the Rainbow Tree. Like many young girls, Olivia would like to be a princess. Olivia wonders what it would be like to be a real princess and live in a castle. Miguel suggests that they should visit the Old Woman who lives in the village. Olivia has never met the Old Woman and does not know how to talk to old people. After school, Miguel takes Olivia to meet the Old Woman. The Old Woman tells Olivia that she was a princess and lived in a castle. The Old Woman said that the castle did not have electricity, did not have computers, did not have the internet and did not have telephones. After visiting the Old Woman, Olivia wonders whether she truly wants to be a real princess. Olivia and Miguel decide to go ask the Old Woman whether she could be a make-believe princess. This story shows that it is easy to talk to older people and that older people can share their knowledge and experience. Additionally, Olivia learns that imagining being a princess might be more fun than being a real princess.

About the Author

The author has enjoyed telling stories to his children and grandchildren. He has written stories to be read, told and shared with others. The first story, The Rainbow Tree describes the importance of being kind to others. A second story, Reuben and the Rainbow Tree, tells what may happen when children don’t listen to their parents. A third story, Miguel and Fido, teaches children about responsibility in caring for pets. A fourth story, Miguel and the Secret, discusses the problem of keeping a secret. This story was inspired by his grand daughter, Olivia. The story encourages children to use their imagination and to talk to older people. All the stories take place in the Village of the Rainbow Tree. Leon Shargel is a retired professor of pharmacy and former vice president for a major pharmaceutical company. Previously, he published textbooks and scientific papers