History Main / BookOnTheHead

* ''Film/ALeagueOfTheirOwn''. The female baseball players, additionally to the sportive training, also have to follow etiquette lessons, which include this exercise.

* ''Literature/{{Tempest}}'': In ''Tempest Unleashed'', the [=merQueen=] Hailana gives Tempest princess etiquette lessons that involve floating upright with a book on her head. Tempest doesn't see how that skill will help her defeat [[BigBad Tiamat]].

-->-- '''Candace''', ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb''

* In [[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24887197-princess-disgrace ''Princess Disgrace'']], [[TheKlutz the titular heroine]] always let her book fall in etiquette class. The fact she did not learn it as a little girl, like her other classmates, doesn't help.

* ''Film/MyFairLady''. In the song "I could have danced all night", Eliza briefly put a book on her head while going to bed; servants put it back on a table when they notice her zeal.
* ''Film/ThePrincessDiaries''. Averted during Mia's training, but still, Queen Clarisse show her how to walk without slouching and dragging herself along, even without a book.

-->"Show me you can walk around the room with poise."
--> Quiz had no difficulty completing a lap of the library's front room, so Scootaloo added a book.
-->"This would be more stable if the smallest book was on the top," Quiz pointed out.
-->"I know," said Scootaloo, adding a third, even larger book. "Walk around again. And this time explain the difference between a noun, a proper noun, and a pronoun."

* ''Manga/KilalaPrincess''. When Kilala is in WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}}'s world, they are training together to have perfect manners; Cinderella and Kilala are once both seen with several books on the head.

* ComicBook/ArchieComics had Veronica practicing balancing a book with a glass of water on her head, and when Betty arrives, she is urged to try it herself. After Veronica goes inside, Betty tries it again and again, drenching herself every time. Archie and Reggie show up to laugh at her predicament, only to get soaked themselves when they try it. After they declare it impossible, Betty picks up the book Veronica used, only to find that it had a fake glass of water glued to it, as well as a hole cut to fit on top of her head. Veronica, laughing at her prank, steps back out only to find her friends brandishing buckets of water, ready for revenge.
* When Daphne is entered in a beauty contest in one Franchise/ScoobyDoo comic book, the walking-with-a-book-on-her-head is part of the preparation that Velma has her do.

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]

* ''Film/ThePrincessDiaries''. Averted during Mia's training, but still, Queen Clarisse show her how to walk without slouching and dragging herself along, even without a book.
* ''Film/TheBradyBunchMovie''. Inverted when Marcia tries to land a job as a teen model, but before she can start, the photographer/agent tells Marcia she'll need some "work", which she assumes includes walking with books on her head.
* ''Film/ALeagueOfTheirOwn''. The female baseball players, additionally to the sportive training, also have to follow etiquette lessons, which include this exercise.
* In ''Film/TheMusicMan'', the ladies practice dancing with books on their heads, and succeed until one move has them intentionally leaning backwards, and the books all fall in unison.
* In the adaptation of ''[[Literature/TheRubyRedTrilogy Sapphire Blue]]'', Gwendoline is seen with a book on head while [[AlphaBitch Charlotte]] gaves her LessonsInSophistication.

* ''Literature/TheSchoolForGoodAndEvil''. In etiquette class, the "Princess Posture", lesson uses nests of nightingale eggs as a variant to replace books. FishOutOfWater student Agatha, used to slouching, [[EpicFail ends up breaking twenty eggs.]]

* Used in ''Literature/TheFinishingSchoolSeries'', as can be seen in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTM2B14ntCE the trailer of the second book]].
* In [[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24887197-princess-disgrace ''Princess Disgrace'']], [[TheKlutz the titular heroine]] always let her book fall in etiquette class. The fact she did not learn it as a little girl, like her other classmates, doesn't help.
* Referenced in ''Literature/EllaEnchanted'': Ella jokes that after attending finishing school she could balance a set of dishes on her head while strolling through town.

* Seen in the opening montage of the last season of ''Series/CharliesAngels'' featuring Creator/TanyaRoberts.
* Seems to be the only thing the strict nanny is concerned with in ''Series/TheBleakOldShopOfStuff''. '''"POSTURE!"'''

* ''WesternAnimation/SofiaTheFirst''
** The exercise was part of the "Princess test" in the episode of the same name. All the female students of the [[RoyalSchool Royal prep]] succeed to do it. So, the fairies teachers complicate the test by throwing enchanted cushions into the princess’ legs.
** Sofia herself wasn't present but can be seen doing so [[http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GGMWluBAL.jpg in the merchandising.]]

* In the short "Debutante Devil" from the ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' episode "You Asked For It", Babs makes Dizzy Devil do this. She then puts a bunch of heavy objects on top of it, including more books, a refrigerator, a safe, a car, a steamroller, a tugboat, a space shuttle, several boxes, and the White House. [[TheLastStraw It all crashes down on Dizzy when she adds a piece of tissue paper.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/CourageTheCowardlyDog''. In the final episode, a teacher appears from out of nowhere to give Courage perfection lessons, since he apparently can't do anything right. One of the first exercises she gives him is walking up the stairs with a tall stack of ridiculously heavy books (and an apple) on his head; every single book falls off his head -- one by one, with each step -- for which she fails him for not being the least bit perfect.

* ''WesternAnimation/AngelaAnaconda'': The books Nanette uses for correcting her posture tend to get hair gel stains. The school librarian bans her from borrowing books because of that.
* The eight episode of ''WesternAnimation/MiaAndMe'' ends with, the students have to do this during a manners class, and as a variant it's the AlphaBitch who trip on the carpet and [[LaserGuidedKarma fall along with her book.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones'' had Wilma do this in an episode with a slab of stone on her head (since books had not been invented in the Stone Age yet) for acting lessons for a hand commercial while saying "The ants in France stay mainly on the plants". She soon quit before she was due to go on camera.
* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'': In "[[Recap/TotalDramaABlastFromThePast A Blast from the Past]]", Topher mentions he has training balancing books on his head from his on-camera poise class.
* ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'' In the episode ''Steven and Snot's Test-Tubular Adventure'' Steven and Snot send their clones to Roger's finishing school.
-->Backs straight, girls. And remember, these books are for posture only. A literate girl is a lonely girl.

Backs straight, girls. And remember, these books are for posture only. A literate girl is a lonely girl.

*** The AlphaBitch Delancy manages to walk with about [[ExaggeratedTrope twenty books.]] On the other hand, [[PennyAmongDiamonds misplaced student]] Blair has difficulties with carrying only one and finally [[DisasterDominoes falls on her classmates.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/CinderellaIIDreamsComeTrue'': In '''Aim to Please''', Cinderella learns to dance with four books on her head. Because she also has to answer a test at the same time, she eventually trips. Moments later, while dancing how she wants, Cinderella manages to successfully keep two books on her head.

* In [[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24887197-princess-disgrace ''Princess Disgrace'']], [[TheKlutz the titular heroine]] always let her book fall in etiquette class. The fact she did not learn it as a little girl, like her others classmates, doesn't help.

* In [[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24887197-princess-disgrace ''Princess Disgrace'']], [[TheKlutz the titular heroine]] always let her book fall in etiquette class. The fact she did not learned it as a little girl, like her others classmates, doesn't help.

** The exercise was part of the "Princess test" in the episode of the same name. All the female students of the [[RoyalSchool Royal prep]] succeed to do it. So, the fairies teachers complicate the test by throwing enchanted cushions into princesses�s legs.

[[folder: Anime & Manga ]]

[[folder: Fan Works ]]

* Creator/AAPessimal's tale of murder in Ankh-Morpork, ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5423228/13/Murder-Most-Orrible Murder Most 'Orrible]]'' features the Assassins' Guild School. Here, Joan Sanderson-Reeves ratchets things up for her student Assassins when she tries to teach them how to move gracefully and elegantly and ''not to jolly well slouch!'' With the aid of Poisons master Mr Mericet, she demonstrates that it is possible to balance a saucer of ''nitric acid'' on your head - and not to spill a single drop. "Well, you have a jolly good incentive not to, do you not?" [[note]]it's really distilled water in the saucer on her head, but the girls don't need to know that[[/note]]. But Joan displays mercy and tells her class they'd better do it with books on their heads, for now.

--> "Show me you can walk around the room with poise."

--> “This would be more stable if the smallest book was on the top,” Quiz pointed out.
--> “I know,” said Scootaloo, adding a third, even larger book. “Walk around again. And this time explain the difference between a noun, a proper noun, and a pronoun.”

[[folder: Films -- Animated]]

** ''WesternAnimation/BarbieAsThePrincessAndThePauper''. Erika, while practicing [[PrincessForADay on impersonating Princess Anneliese]], once walks with a book during her TrainingMontage song - and immediately succeeds to do so.

[[folder: Films -- Live-Action ]]

[[folder: Literature ]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

[[folder: Music ]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}''. This is one of the training exercizes Ladonna gives Francine in, "Speak Up, Francine!" to help her overcome stage fright of public speaking - balancing books on her head is to teach Francine to keep from looking down, and keep looking forward to the people she's addressing.

* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom''. Used in the episode "Beauty Marked". A BeautyContest is organized in Casper High to elect a local princess, and [[SoapBoxSadie Sam]] compete just to protest against the principle. During the walking- with- a- book exercise, she reads hers instead of having it on her head- and soon provoke a [[DisasterDominoes general stumbling.]]
* In the short, "Debutante Devil" from the ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' episode, "You Asked For It", Babs makes Dizzy Devil do this. She then puts a bunch of heavy objects on top of it, including more books, a refrigerator, a safe, a car, a steamroller, a tugboat, a space shuttle, several boxes, and the White House. [[TheLastStraw It all crashes down on Dizzy when she adds a piece of tissue paper.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/CourageTheCowardlyDog''. In the final episode, a teacher appears from out of nowhere to give Courage perfection lessons, since he apparently can't do anything right. One of the first exercises she gives him is walking up the stairs with a tall stack of ridiculously heavy books (and an apple) on his head; every single book falls off his head - one by one, with each step - to which she fails him for not being the least bit perfect.

[[folder: Real Life ]]

* According to 19th century manners guides, ladies did not only train with books, but also had to do exercises such as [[TrainingFromHell eating with fresh eggs stuck under their armpits.]]
* In The princess prep, a [[RoyalSchool princesses summer boot camp]] in London, little girls had such an exercise as seen [[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2011-04/03/content_12271039.htm here.]]

* Franchise/{{Barbie}} [[WesternAnimation/{{Barbie}} movies]]:
** ''WesternAnimation/BarbieAsThePrincessAndThePauper''. Erika, while practicing [[PrincessForADay on impersonating Princess Anneliese]], once walks with a book during her TrainingMontage song - and immediately succeeds to do so.
** ''WesternAnimation/BarbiePrincessCharmSchool''
*** The AlphaBitch Delancy manages to walk with about [[ExaggeratedTrope twenty books.]] On the other hand, [[PennyAmongDiamonds misplaced student]] Blair has difficulties with carrying only one and finally [[DisasterDominoes falls on her classmates.]]
*** Later, [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure headmistress Mrs. Privet]], in private lessons for Blair, teaches the girl how to carry a dozen books on the head. While standing on one foot. With a flower vase in each hand.

[[folder: Film ]]

* ''Film/MyFairLady''. In the song "I could have danced all night", Eliza briefly put a book on her head while going to bed; servants put it back on a table when they notice her zeal.
* ''Film/PrincessProtectionProgram''. Princess Rosalinda want to prove to her new friend Carter that being royalty isn't just showing off. Carter learns how to act with royal aplomb, including walking with a book. When she states she just can't believe princesses are compelled to do this, Rosalinda burst into laughter and admits she actually never had to do so; she was just pulling Carter's leg.
* ''Film/ThePrincessDiaries''. Averted during Mia's training, but still, Queen Clarisse show her how to walk without slouching and dragging herself along, even without a book.

* ''Film/TheBradyBunchMovie''. Inverted when Marcia tries to land a job as a teen model, but before she can start, the photographer/agent tells Marcia she'll need some "work", which she assumes includes walking with books on her head.
* ''Film/ALeagueOfTheirOwn''. The female baseball players, additionally to the sportive training, also have to follow etiquette lessons, which include this exercise.
* In ''Film/TheMusicMan'', the ladies practice dancing with books on their heads, and succeed until one move has them intentionally leaning backwards, and the books all fall in unison.
* In the adaptation of ''[[Literature/TheRubyRedTrilogy Sapphire Blue]]'', Gwendoline is seen with a book on head while [[AlphaBitch Charlotte]] gaves her LessonsInSophistication.
* In ''Film/{{Sam}}'', Blondell trains Samantha to walk with a book on her head to improve her posture as part of her GirlinessUpgrade. Blondell himself demonstrates this for her, and is much better at than her (at first).

* ''WesternAnimation/CinderellaIIDreamsComeTrue'': In '''Aim to Please''', Cinderella learns to dance with four books on her head. Because she also has to answer a test at the same time, she eventually trips. Moments later, while dancing how she wants, Cinderella manages to successfully keep two books on her head.

* Seen in the opening montage of the last season of ''Series/CharliesAngels'' (Tanya Roberts).

* In [[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24887197-princess-disgrace ''Princess Disgrace'']], [[TheKlutz the titular heroine]] always let her book fall in etiquette class. The fact she did not learned it as a little girl, like her others classmates, don't help.

* ''Series/TheBradyBunch''. When Marcia takes a friend under her wing to make her over, one of the lessons in a TrainingMontage is book-walking. Marcia can do it but her trainee is terrible until the end of the montage.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}''. This is one of the training exercizes Ladonna gives Francine in, "Speak Up, Francinse," to help her overcome stage fright of public speaking - balancing books on her head is to teach Francine to keep from looking down, and keep looking forward to the people she's addressing.

** ''WesternAnimation/BarbieInThePrincessAndThePauper''. Erika, while practicing [[PrincessForADay on impersonating Princess Anneliese]], once walks with a book during her TrainingMontage song - and immediately succeeds to do so.