Disney Princess magazine

Most of this issue contains a comic featuring Belle, some quizzes, games and pictures/posters of one of the Disney princesses. However a section that stands out to me is a diary section in which each princess talks about their day:

• Cinderella is only concerned about shoe shopping
• Aurora goes to a magic well and makes a wish
• Ariel loses her favourite comb but then finds it resulting in her spending the rest of the day brushing her hair
• Snow White feeds some animals out in the cold
• Belle reads all day
• Jasmine throws a party for Aladdin 
• Tiana bakes pancakes with her friend

All these things are either materialistic or maternal. From a young age the girls who read this magazine are being conditioned to believe that all that matters in life is buying nice clothes, brushing your hair (looking after your appearance), partying and cooking for others.

In the story about Belle featuring from page two to page five she sits in her library with her feet propped up on a cushion and reads - imaging going to all these wonderful places despite never leaving the castle. This idea could highlight how girls don't need to go out, they can just read and imagine themselves there. Even though this could possibly be a positive thing (encouraging young girls to read) it still shows Belle never having to leave the comfort of the castle. In the page after the comic it shows Belle reading to the Beast. In a circle on the page it says 'Yum! Belle made cookies for the beast.' again highlighting the maternal instinct all girls should have. 

In Aurora's story later on in the magazine she is throwing a party for her husband's father. The fairies argue and almost ruin it, but Aurora saves the day by saying 'We don't need magic to get our party ready on time. Just the magic of teamwork!' Organising a party is then describe as 'lots of fun!' This only reinforces the idea that girls should organise, clean and find doing it fun too. 

For whatever reason new Disney Princess Merida from Brave is not in the Disney Princess Magazine. This may be because her story is not the same as the other princesses and therefore she is not considered as highly of a princess than the others (despite her story being about her development and independence - not waiting for a prince to come marry her).

The magazine also comes with a 'Going Out Set':

I'm not sure how many girls take a note pad and pen out with them but obviously this must be to make lists or write down what groceries one may need. Mobile phones are needed obviously to talk to friends and what is more vital than a bag to put it all in?