Disney introduces new child princess
Dec 27, 2011

A new princess will soon be introduced on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, Disney's new channel dedicated to preschoolers. "Sofia" will be the company's first child princess, and will have her own television movie and series. The current Disney Princess merchandise is a $4 billion a year retail line, so it's pretty safe to assume that Sofia merchandise will soon be available. In the past, Disney has received some criticism for their princesses; some parents feel they are teaching the wrong message to girls about how they need to have a "fairy tale life" in order to be happy. The company says the new princess will focus on learning. She will learn to be kind and get along with her siblings, along with other age-appropriate lessons.

According to Nancy Kanter, general manager for Disney Junior Worldwide, "Sofia will have plenty of pretty dresses and sparkly shoes, but episodes will teach viewers that what makes a real princess is what's inside, not what's outside." She says that focus groups have been very positive about the new character. "We saw girls have an instant relatability to this character. If kids relate to what they watch - if they can put themselves in that world - that's where real learning can start."