Several months ago, Disney premiered a new feature film on Disney Junior- Sofia the First! This movie was about a little girl named Sofia, who suddenly went from normal, everyday girl to princess! For those who are unfamiliar with the story, I’ll summarize briefly. Her mother, an excellent seamstress, was asked to complete a task for the king- who subsequently fell in love with her! When they married, Sofia left her normal life for the life of a princess- but not without many challenges, including a jealous new stepsister, and daunting challenges at Royal Prep, a school for princes and princesses. In the end, she rose to the challenge and became an integral part of her new family.

If you’re already familiar with the story, you (or more specifically, your kids) may have wanted to find out more about what happens with Sofia. Well wonder no more! Disney has created an animated series to follow Sofia’s life as she continues her adventures as a princess. The series stays true to the movie, and keeps the original core cast of voices, although in the series, her animal friends play a larger role.

The series premiered on January 11, 2013, with the episode “Just one of the Princes.” That’s not a typo; Sofia embarks to earn a spot on her school’s flying derby team, which has previously only been played by boys. The flying derby tryouts require the completion of a rigorous obstacle course on a winged horse. Sofia enlists the help of her new brother, James, who at first reluctantly agrees to train her but soon comes to admire her courage and perseverance. Sofia uses the only horse available, the smallest, most self- deprecating horse in the stable, but manages to encourage him to give it his all. In the end, despite the challenge of the course and the efforts of another contender to end her competition, Sofia succeeds and becomes the first girl ever to become a part of the flying derby team.

Other episodes in the series include ones with Sofia struggling to maintain her old friendships from the village in the face of her new wealth and privilege, learning a lesson about judging others, and befriending Cedric, the magician from the movie who is still trying to steal her amulet. There are presently five episodes running, with the sixth to premiere in the U.S. on February 22, 2013.

Sofia the First is an exciting, entertaining look into the life of a princess that will keep your kids engaged for the whole show!