Anika Noni Rose Talks ‘The Balusters,’ New Children's Book, More

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCMHw8_LFLQ

Anika Noni Rose is talking about three things in that interview: her return to Broadway in The Balusters, her new children’s book A Princess Is a Princess, and the bigger message behind both projects.

Broadway project

The Balusters is a comedy about a neighborhood association meeting, and Rose says what makes it work is that it feels honest and true to real life. She also highlighted the cast’s chemistry and the fact that the play gives space for many different viewpoints.

Children’s book

Her new book, A Princess Is a Princess, is a picture book that celebrates princesses of all identities, abilities, and dreams. Rose said the book is meant to help children feel they belong exactly as they are, without changing themselves to fit a narrow idea of what a princess looks like.

Bigger theme

A major theme across the interview is belonging: Rose wants her work to make kids and audiences feel seen, valued, and included. The book also reflects her own childhood experiences and her long-running interest in expanding how children imagine themselves in stories.