Rani's remarkable day

Faruqi encourages social risk-taking in this flatly empowering picture book via a royal protagonist who ventures beyond the isolation of palace life and discovers camaraderie. For Princess Rani, who reads as South Asian, "being the only princess in/ the kingdom was boring,/ tedious,/ dull." Attempts to play with her mother (busy planning a new highway), father (busy considering food for a party), and the prime minister (just busy) fall flat, so the determined child takes things into her own hands. Though the prime minister is horrified that Rani might interact with "everyday people," she heads to the beach with Prince Baby, where a rival sandcastle-builder eventually morphs into a playmate: in order to overcome loneliness, she endeavors to "take a risk,/ work together,// make a friend." Adjective trios ("valiant,// brave,/ courageous!") enliven uncomplicated plotting. Heavy on pink, Syed's animation-style digital illustrations add a dose of comedy with their depiction of Rani's bodyguards' seaside antics. Ages 4--8. (May)

A lonely princess makes a friend. Bored of playing in her room with her sibling, Prince Baby, Rani wanders the palace looking for a playmate. When she finds her mother busy with the transportation minister, her father occupied with the kitchen staff, and the prime minister involved with "life-changing, stupendous tasks," the princess decides to take matters into her own hands. After asking the reluctant Prime Minister to pack her a picnic, Rani grabs her baby brother and heads to the beach (in the background, Rani's security detail attempts to surreptitiously keep tabs on them). At the shoreline, Rani tries and fails to build a sand castle. When a little girl asks Rani if the princess knows what she's doing, Rani challenges the stranger to a sand castle--building contest. What begins as a competition ends up as a collaboration, and the two become friends. Rani is a spunky protagonist whose loneliness will be relatable to many readers. However, the girls' transition from competitors to friends is a bit abrupt; similarly, Rani's initial response to the new girl is inexplicably hostile. While the pictures are lushly detailed and Rani's security guards' antics are a hilarious pictorial running gag, the illustrations often swallow up the tiny text, making it difficult to read. Characters are brown-skinned and cued as South Asian. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A charming but slightly confusing tale of finding companionship in unexpected ways. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.