Body Positive Book Reviews: We Could Be Magic

Summer vacation has begun and I am stoked to tackle a giant pile of books and cold glasses of iced tea. All year long I pile up a stack of books in my TBR, only to get distracted once summer arrives with exciting new releases. I immediately gravitate to books with positive fat representation. There’s just something magical about finding characters who look and think like me tucked between the pages.

That’s exactly what happened with my latest read, We Could Be Magic by Marissa Meyer. I found this book one day while scrolling through Instagram on a page of new releases. I stopped and did a double take when I found a book with a thick girl and a cute boy at a Disney-esque park on the cover. (Honestly, the main character reminded me of the Instagrammer, @magically_mccrazy, who I have followed for a long time!) This book is a graphic novel… a genre I don’t read a lot of… but, after reading the description, I was IN!

The book tells the story of a young woman named Tabitha, who believes in the power of magic and true love. As a child, she takes a trip with her dad to the theme park, Sommerland, and it changes her forever. Soon, it becomes her dream to work at the park one day so she can share that same magic with other dreamers. Tabitha is lucky enough to start a summer internship at Sommerland. She just knows that this is the moment where her dreams will come true and she will land the coveted role of her favorite princess.

Upon arrival, she realizes that auditions will be held soon and she will have to take the not-so-glamorous job she was assigned for now. The job? Serving up nachos in the most obnoxious uniform in the park! But Tabitha busts her butt practicing for auditions and knows in her heart it’s only temporary… right?

Though she has an encyclopedic knowledge of the park lore and tons of energy, she soon finds out she will never be given the role she truly wants. Why? She doesn’t fit the mold. Most people are nice about it… but princesses aren’t big girls, right? (Oof! This kills me.)

Tabitha graciously accepts a job as a non-face character as the park mascot in a hot sweaty costume. She puts her whole heart into the job and makes some good friends along the way. She even finds a sweet bit of summer romance. With the help of her new friends, and her own handsome prince, she finds a magic all of her own.

As a graphic novel, the art by Joelle Murray, adds a perfect amount of sweetness and whimsy to the story. It is perfect and gives many subtle homages to the park we ALL know the story is talking about. I wanted to jump right into the page and work alongside Tabitha.

This was a super quick, one afternoon read. However, it was wonderful, magical, and made me feel good. It is a body positive book in the best way possible… supportive and not too aggressive. I too have dreamed of being a princess at the most magical place, but don’t fit the mold. I will keep dreaming like Tabitha, and maybe one day my dream of a Plus Size Princess will come true.