WITH her bright, cheery face and sparkling eyes, she won the hearts of Mail readers.
Posing with her picture-perfect smile, Gracie Nolan won the Mail's Baby And Toddler Of The Year competition when she was 23 months old.
Now, Gracie is living up to her image after her mother spent her prize money on a princess bedroom makeover – complete with a pink canopy and a princess dressing table.
Gracie toddled off with her trophy and �1,500 cash reward after becoming the overall winner last year and she and her mum, Terrie Fraser, are helping launch this year's competition.
Miss Fraser, 27, of east Hull, said: "It was a lot of fun taking part.
"It was exciting to enter and I am so proud of her for winning.
"From the beginning, I thought she was going to win, but I think the world of her and I am her mum, so of course I am biased.
"I would recommend parents give it a go."
Gracie was the winner of last year's 19-36 month category and scored more points from the judging panel than any other entrant.
She faced tough competition as more than 1,000 babies and toddlers were entered in the contest.
The youngster, who turns 3 in June, is now reaping the benefits of her award after Miss Fraser decorated her bedroom in a princess theme.
"She now has a big girl's bed that has a canopy over the top," said Miss Fraser, of Mersey Street.
"There are pink curtains, drawers, a princess dressing table, a rocking chair with teddies and a princess door sign.
"She is obsessed with princess DVDs and loves Tinkerbell and Snow White.
"She also likes to call herself Princess Fiona, like the character from Shrek.
"But she isn't just a princess – she also likes to pretend to be Sarah the dinosaur from the Land Before Time.
"We spent some of the money on her room, but the rest has gone into a savings fund for when she is older."
Miss Fraser, who works part-time for Lloyds Chemist, thinks it was Gracie's bubbly personality and bright smile that won over the judges.
She said: "She is a very cheeky girl and is very forward for her age.
"She speaks perfectly, which, when she isn't even 3 yet, is really amazing.
"She is not scared of being in the limelight and she is a such a poser for the cameras.
"She is quite vain when it comes to looks and looks adorable in pictures.
"I have so many photographs of her, I don't know where to put them.
"Gracie thought I was mad when we found out she had won.
"I was screaming, bouncing all over the place and was really excited."
This year's competition is set to be bigger and better than ever.
Parents who think their little angels have a winning smile can see them pose for a photograph throughout May at St Stephen's shopping centre in Hull.
There are four age categories: 0-9 months, 10-18 months, 19-36 months and 3-5 years.
The overall winner will be awarded the coveted trophy and �1,500, while three runners-up will each get �500.
Each entrant must submit one token from the Mail, which will be available from next Monday.
Parents and carers can then take their token, and of course their little one, along to photo sessions being held at St Stephen's from Monday, May 2, to Saturday, May 14.
Each photography session will be held from 10am to 4pm, but parents are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing time to avoid disappointment.
Entry is free and parents will be able to purchase pictures taken at the appointment.
They will then be asked to return to select their favourite picture, which will be printed in a special Mail feature on Tuesday, June 14.
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