Free Tiana by Helen Perelman

P rincess Tiana twirled around her new palace. It may not have been the palace of every princess’s dreams, but she loved it. She and Prince Naveen had worked hard to turn an old sugar mill into a brand-new restaurant called Tiana’s Palace. Tiana gazed up at the large chandelier in the grand room and let out a happy sigh. She had dreamed about this her entire life.

    When Tiana fell in love with Naveen, he had been a frog prince. And he’d turned her into a frog, too! While they were in the bayou, she never thought that they would get married, turn back into humans, and open a New Orleans restaurant together. Tiana looked over at her prince and smiled.
    â€œNaveen, everything is perfect!” she cried. “The chandelier was the last touch.” For years, Tiana had thought the rundown mill would make the perfect spot for a restaurant. She looked around. After a couple months making repairs, everything looked beautiful.
    â€œThis is just the kind of restaurant I always wanted,” Tiana said to Naveen. She sat down at one of the tables in the spacious room and gazed at the new dining area.
    The tables had golden tablecloths and napkins. It was all fit for a princess!
    â€œWhen Daddy and I used to talk about opening a restaurant, this is what I hoped it would be like,” she said. “Thank you!”
    â€œYou’ve done all the work!” Naveen exclaimed. “Without your dedication, this place would still be an old sugar mill. And if it wasn’t for your delicious food, no one would want to eat here!”
    â€œOh, the people will come to hear your music,” Tiana added with a smile.
    Naveen loved jazz music. He played the ukulele and had a wonderful singing voice. One of their best friends was a musician named Louis, who also happened to be an alligator!
    Tiana and Naveen had met Louis in the bayou when they were both frogs. He played the trumpet better than anyone they knew. “Without you and Louis, Tiana’s Palace wouldn’t be as much fun. The Firefly Five is the best jazz band in New Orleans!”
    â€œGood food, good music, and good friends,” Naveen said. “I think that is the recipe for a successful restaurant.”
    Tiana looked down at her hands. “Everyone has been very kind, but we haven’t even had our grand opening yet. The first night is a big deal.”
    â€œEspecially if Jono La Crème is coming!” Charlotte LaBouff called as she walked into the room. She and Tiana had grown up together and were best friends.

    Charlotte’s blond hair was perfectly styled, and she wore a beautiful purple silk dress. Waving a letter, she rushed over to Tiana’s table. “Y’all are not going to believe this delicious news!” she exclaimed as she sat down next to Tiana. Her blue eyes sparkled. She was bursting with excitement.
    â€œLottie,” Tiana said, “What on earth are you up to?”
    â€œShe definitely looks as if she’s up to something,” Naveen agreed, nodding his head.
    Charlotte took a moment to enjoy watching her friends. She was so excited! Her news was so big she could hardly speak.
    â€œTell us!” Tiana pleaded.
    â€œWell,” Charlotte finally began. She smoothed her fancy dress with her hands. She batted her eyelashes, then slowly exhaled. Finally she spat out her news in one breath: “Daddy was talking to friends of his, and someone knew someone who knew someone else, and that man knows Jono La Crème!”
    Tiana screamed. She grabbed Charlotte’s hands. The two friends started to jump up and down.
    â€œWho is Jono La Crème?” Naveen asked, slightly bewildered. He was from Maldonia, not New Orleans like Tiana and Charlotte.
    Laughing, Charlotte fanned herself with the letter. “Jono La Crème is only the most well-respected food critic in the South!” she exclaimed.
    â€œIf he gives you a good review in his newspaper column, Crème de La