“Sometimes perfect means doing the best that you can do,” says Disney Legend and the voice of Princess Tiana Anika Noni Rose. It is around 7:00 AM in the morning. There are dozens of members of the media and creators surrounding her. Her smile brightens the room like a ray of sunshine. She is promoting her book, Tiana’s Perfect Plan. The event is a chance for members of the media to shop at the D23 Marketplace, meet Anika Noni Rose, and also see some of the other merchandise offerings that are in the area.
The event check-in began at 6:30 AM. Shortly after, breakfast was served. Anika Noni Rose’s comments came right after breakfast. After this, people were set loose to shop in the D23 Marketplace and explore the area. For me, it was all about finding some hot coffee. Thankfully, there was a Joffrey’s that was connected to the Disney Publishing booth. I made my way over there and was handed a small cup of coffee, which tasted delicious. I also purchased Dream Chasing, by Bob Weis. While chatting with the people who worked there, the team for the book signing came over to get things ready. Coffee in hand, I was more than happy to just stay out of the way and go wherever I was pointed.
A few moments later, they asked if I could start the line. I was more than happy to oblige. I had coffee, a friend soon showed up, and we began to wait. After a while, things were set up, a light was retrieved, and it was time to meet Anika Noni Rose. Because I was the first person in line, I also was the test for whether the lighting was good for Disney’s cameras (there appeared to be both photo and video cameras on hand). As they were testing, I was privileged to have a lovely conversation with Anika Noni Rose. It ranged in topics from how beautiful her book was to my bow tie to what does Daps mean (she loved it). Throughout the entire time, I simply enjoyed the moment and observed this Disney legend.
I had a few takeaways from the morning. The first was that Princess Tiana definitely has some similarities to the person who brought her voice and character to life. They are both kind. They both have a warm and encouraging way about them. It is clear how interrelated the two are. I also noticed how patient she was with the situation. As there was equipment moving around and delays happening, she was in the moment as she chatted with me. She seemed unperturbed by everything else going on. Another thing I noticed was that she clearly was there to do a job. She had a book that she wanted to get out to the world and for people to purchase. It also is a book that she clearly invested in and believed in. Because of this, she showed up early to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on a Saturday morning and brought her A-game.
After chatting with this Disney Legend for a few minutes, we took a picture together and I found myself smiling as I walked away. And it wasn’t just because there was more coffee in front of me (which was also a highlight of the day. The Joffrey’s team was so great!). I couldn’t help but think about what she had said during her opening remarks an hour earlier, “sometimes perfect means doing the best you can do.” In her initial remarks, she talked about how she wanted babies to learn that so we all “don’t start beating ourselves up as much as we move through life.”
I couldn’t help but think what a great message she had shared in her remarks and in this book. It is a message that I realized I need to listen to, just as much as any baby that might have read this book (which really is beautiful, I love the artwork). It is so easy to beat ourselves up about things. Perhaps it is how we did something. Perhaps it is something we didn’t do at all. Or perhaps, we just hold ourselves to impossible standards that we wouldn’t hold others to. All of this to say, this event and this Disney Legend had a wonderful message: Do your best and that’s enough. For those of us who are always pushing for perfection, this is a very good and necessary message that shouldn’t be forgotten. It was a message that I was thankful to hear early in that Saturday morning and I am thankful for today.
Tiana’s Perfect Plan is available on October 22, 2024. It can be pre-ordered from most online booksellers like Amazon. This is a great book for all ages and definitely worth adding to the collection.
Tiana’s Perfect Plan Description
A charming debut picture book from acclaimed actress, singer, and Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose, which shows Princess Tiana on a never-before-seen New Orleans adventure!
After travelling all winter, Tiana and Naveen are back in New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras. Tiana wants everything to be just right, putting the finishing touches on their party favors and parade float.
But then she gets an unexpected letter from Naveen’s parents, the king and queen of Maldonia. They’ve decided to join the celebration!
Determined to make it the best Mardi Gras ever, Tiana sets out on a new adventure with some old friends to find the perfect ingredients for a special addition. But soon she finds that perfect might not be the goal . . . and she may already have all she needs.
