Origin
For years I played with the idea of writing a story about a dancing bear. Usually, he was Ursa Major, the bear in the stars. It was when I brought him down to earth that The Gypsy Princess took shape
It is the most autobiographical of my books. Like all little girls I dreamed of being a princess. It took me half a lifetime to appreciate and use the gifts that I had been born with.
Fun Facts
Almost everyone in this book is a portrait of a friend or family member.
You can see what Princess Leora looks like all grown up: Melissa is the Gypsy girl with her arm around Cinnamon’s Auntie on the last page.
Her husband, Chris is the gypsy who plays the violin.
My husband, Brian’s in this book too, he is the tambourine player.
Hannah is the real name of the girl who posed as Cinnamon.
Sarah is the real name of the girl who posed as Princess Cyprina.
Leah and Lee are the names of her princess friends.
The golden gate is modeled on an iron gate in front of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa.
Hide and Seek
The pirate boat from Grandma and the Pirates
The blanket from Something From Nothing
A tiny, tiny tip of the balloon tree
A golden apple
One of Jillian’s pigs
Little Blue Ben
The Balloon Tree book
Princess Leora’s dog
Chickens!
Activities
Activity #1: Write or tell the story from the bear’s point of view.
Activity #2: Write or tell a story beginning with: When I gazed into my crystal ball, I saw….
Activity #3: Draw a picture of Cinnamon dressed in pantaloons and camisole. On separate pieces of coloured paper cut out different coloured crinolines. Add or subtract crinolines. Example: If 2 crinolines were removed, what colour would be left showing?
Activity #4: This book can be incorporated into units on:
- The real Romany
- Bears
- The forest
- Wild herbs
- Trees/plants
- Castles
Activity #5: Ask students to write or tell about something that makes them different. Ask them to re-think those differences. How do differences make people more interesting. Isn’t everyone special in some way?
Activity #6: Write on the subject: There are things more precious than a crown of gold.