I'd Rather Be A Fairy Princess

Author(s): Petra Kotrotsos

Life Experiences | Biography & Autobiography | NZ Picture Books

At the age of six, all Petra wants to be is a fairy princess. But after a playground fall, she discovers she is very sick.


She has a cancer called neuroblastoma. 


Petra quickly realises she now needs more than wings and fairy dust - she must become a fairy warrior and fight this. 

At the age of six, all Petra wants to be is a fairy princess. But after falling off a roundabout, Petra discovers she is very sick; she has a cancer called neuroblastoma. Petra quickly realises she now needs more than wings and fairy dust - she must become a fairy warrior and fight.

Now 20, Petra Kotrotsos wrote this story when she was seven. Her cancer recurred four times before she was 15. She wants to share what happened to her so other children and their families won't feel so scared or so alone, and doctors and nurses can better understand what their patients face.

With Christina Irini Arthimos' lovely illustrations, this is a book is a great resource for children and their families going through something similar, and will help other children understand what happens when you get cancer.

Petra featured on the front page of the DomPost in July 2017 - if you missed it, you can read the article here.

- Lucy


Product Information

Petra wrote her story when she was seven. Until the age of 15, neuroblastome recured four times. Now 20, she wants to share what happened to her so other children and their families won't feel so scraed or so alone, and doctors and nurses can better undrstand what their patients face.

Petra Kotrotsos was born into a big Greek family in Wellington. She had a lot taken away from her in childhood due to a cancer diagnosis at six years old, but she says her passion for creating has given her strength when times are tough, This is her first book.


Christina Irini Arathimos, like Petra, is of Greek descent and a native of Wellington, This is her first children's book

General Fields

  • : 9780994137944
  • : Makaro Press
  • : Submarine
  • : June 2017
  • : 260mm X 210mm X 4mm
  • : New Zealand
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Petra Kotrotsos
  • : Paperback
  • : Christina Irini Arathimos
  • : 34
  • : 15 colour illustrations