Tinkerbell, also known as Tink for brevity, is a fictional character that first appeared in a 1904 play by J M Barrie and later in a novel he wrote entitled Peter and Wendy that was published in 1911.

J M Barrie described Tinkerbell as a fairy who mended kettles and metal pots and pans just like an actual tinker would. Her dialogue in the play and in the later novel consists of the sounds of a tinkling bell, which is understandable only to those familiar with the language of the fairies. Though sometimes ill-tempered and vindictive (for example she coaxes the Lost Boys to shoot arrows at Wendy), at other times she is helpful and kind to Peter. The extremes in her quirky personality are explained by J M Barrie in his story as being due to the fact that her small fairy size prevents her from holding more than one feeling at a time, so when she is angry she has no counterbalance such as compassion or kindness.

Originally, Tinkerbell was only a minor / supporting character and was described by J M Barrie as “a common fairy”, however – following her success in Disney’s Peter Pan when children the world over fell in love with her animated incarnation, Tinkerbell has become a widely recognized as the unofficial mascot of The Walt Disney Company and recently as the star of its Disney Fairies media franchise including the direct-to-DVD film Tinker Bell.

Tinker Bell originally formed part of the Disney Princess franchise – however, she was removed from this in 2005 to take her place as the central character of the new Disney Fairies franchise. At Disneyland, guests are able to interact with Tinkerbell at Pixie Hollow’s meet-and-greet area opened in 2008,.

Tinkerbell has fans the world over and many websites are dedicated to this delicate yet mischeivous fairy. For example at sites like Fairy Coloring Pages you’ll find the best

Interestingly, the copyright to the Tinkerbell character is owned by the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, England. A bronze statue of Tinkerbell appears at the hospital’s entrance to commemorate the fact that the Scottish born J M Barrie bequeathed the copyright to the character to the children’s hospital upon his death in 1937.

Princess Tiana is the star of the upcoming 2009 Disney film The Princess and the Frog. The film has a limited release date in the USA (in NY and LA only) as the 25th November  and will be released in US theaters on December 11th.   This film will mark the return of Disney to traditional hand drawn animation and will bring to fans the 9th Disney Princess. The latest member of Disney’s Royal Family is the gorgeous Princess Tiana, the first Disney Princess to come along in 11 years – with the last Disney Princess being 1998’s Mulan.

The Princess and the frog storyline centers on young Tiana, a young lady living in the French Quarter of New Orleans during the 1920s Jazz Age and a prince named Naveen who has been transformed into a frog by the evil voodoo magician Dr. Facilier. The story will feature a trumpet playing alligator, a love sick Cajun firefly and a host of other charming characters at every turn.

At the recent US Toy Fair, a preview was given of the Disney merchandise that will accompany the movie.  With vibrant and regal colors like purple, green, gold and blue, the toys will evoke life in New Orleans and the bayou, where the film is set. The collection includes dolls,role-play items, playsets and costumes as well as many colorful accessories.

The Princess and the Frog Tiana doll (that will retail for $25) from Mattel, will probably be the most popular toy from the line. Just as in the story, beautiful Princess Tiana wears her sparkly blue ball gown and comes with her frog Prince Naveen. The gown will light up (fiber optics) and the doll and the little green frog will interact! In addition to the signature Tiana doll, Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana will be available in wedding attire.

Websites centered around Princess Tiana and the movie in which she stars have already begun to appear. Of note are those sites that applaud Disney’s choice to feature a black princess (Disney’s first) and other sites that offer coloring pages, printables and paper crafts that feature Disney’s latest Princess.

Little girls  of all ages will enjoy the many, free, printable coloring images of  Princess Tiana (plus party invitations, various paper crafts and party room decorations)  available  at  sites like Princess Tiana Coloring Pages where you’ll find many disney princess coloring

The message in this eagerly awaited movie is unique – what Tiana learns in the film – and  Disney characters always learn something by movie’s end — is that balance is important in life. Jazz Age woman that she is, Tiana needs both love and a career to find happiness.

Her dream is not just to marry a prince!