Princess Erin and the Great Garden Race

The race for the golden medal is on. But the real prize is who you help along the way.

Princess Erin can’t wait for the Great Garden Race. It’s the biggest event of the spring in the Royal Kingdom of Everwood!

Erin is fast, she’s ready, and this year, she’s determined to win the golden trowel. But when her shy sister Princess Karen surprises everyone by entering too, and best friend Lily needs help along the way, Erin faces her biggest challenge yet: choosing between winning the race and being there for the people she loves.

Princess Erin and the Great Garden Race is perfect for children who dream of princesses, friendship, and fair play. This early chapter book is filled with short chapters, gentle life lessons, and a sweet sibling bond that will resonate with young readers and the grown-ups who read to them.

Princess Erin loves to run.

She loves running down the garden path, over the little bridge, and all the way to Starlight Cove. She loves the wind in her hair and the thump of her boots on the ground.

So when Queen Isabelle reminded her that the Great Garden Race was only a few days away, Erin could hardly sit still.

She hoped up from her chair and said, “This is the year I’m going to win the race, I just know it!”

The Great Garden Race was the biggest event in spring. Every villager and royal family member could enter. Racers ran through the royal gardens, over the little bridge, around the fountain, and through the maze of hedges. Along the way, they planted five flower seeds in different gardens. Whoever finishes first, with all their seeds planted properly, wins a gold medal. The winner also gets to name that year’s prize rose.

“You almost won last year,” said Princess Aimee, swinging her feet on her chair. “You were so close.”

“This year, nothing will stop me,” Erin said to her sister.

Princess Karen looked up from the dress she was drawing. “It sounds like fun,” she said softly.

Princess Erin blinked. Karen never talked about the garden race. Karen liked shiny shoes and pretty ribbons, not running through hedges and getting mud on her knees.

“Are you thinking of entering?” Erin asked.

Karen’s cheeks turned a little pink. “Maybe,” she said. “I’ve never tried before. I always thought I wasn’t the racing type. But I’d like to do something with you this year.”

“That would be wonderful!” Erin said, and she meant it. But a small, funny feeling wiggled in her stomach. She loved her sister, but Erin really wanted to win. But if she won, it meant she would have to beat her sister.

“I’m going to sing at the finish line,” Aimee announced. “I’ll make up a special song, just for the winner!”

“That’s perfect,” said the queen, smiling at her three daughters. 

Erin smiled back. But that night, as she lay in bed thinking about hedges and fountains and five garden beds, she couldn’t help wondering what it would feel like to race against her sister.