God Save the Queen
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-- School Library Journal, 4/16/2008 7:35:00 AM
A big party was thrown for Queen Elizabeth’s 80th birthday back in 2006, but this year, she’ll be celebrating her 82nd on April 21 quietly at home with family and friends. How about saluting “Lilibet” while celebrating all types of queens at a royal tea party? Just brew up a pot of the queen’s favorite, hand out the paper crowns, and read on!
BEST, Cari. Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen. illus. by Christine Davenier. Farrar/Melanie Kroupa Bks. 2006. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-374-36386-4.
K-Gr 3–Sally Jean is a cycling enthusiast. When she outgrows the bike Papa bought at a yard sale, the family's financial difficulties prevent her from replacing it. Sally Jean the Bicycle Queen is undaunted, however. She apprentices herself to a neighborly junk collector, starts fixing bikes for other kids, and uses her new income and knowledge to piece together a bicycle from new and recycled parts. A spirited tale of resourcefulness, a quality shared by queens of every stripe.
BRUMBEAU, Jeff. Miss Hunnicutt’s Hat. illus. by Gail de Marcken. Scholastic/Orchard. 2003. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-439-31895-2.
Gr 1-4–In anticipation of a visit from the queen, Miss Hunnicutt decides to wear her new hat from Paris which is topped with a “happily clucking” chicken! A calamitous chain of events begins when the chicken nips the bossy finger of Mrs. McSnoot. Miss Hunnicutt stands firm while pointing out to the irate townspeople that other seemingly eccentric behaviors are tolerated, such as corncob juggling and talking to cats, so her hat stays. When the queen shows up with her own hat from Paris, Miss Hunnicutt’s fashion sense is vindicated.
FAULKNER, Matt. The Pirate Meets the Queen. illus. by author. Philomel. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24038-6.
Gr 1-4–Two very different redheaded queens meet in this wonderful introduction to the infamous Irish pirate, Granny O’Malley. “Red Liz”, as Granny calls the queen of England, is tired of her merchant ships being attacked. The queen jails Granny’s son, and when Granny goes to London to free him, a random act brings her face to face with Red Liz herself. Faulkner’s outstanding gouache illustrations are full of historical detail, and an author’s note and bibliography make this book useful for research purposes.
O’NEILL, Alexis. The Recess Queen. illus. by Laura Huliska-Beith. Scholastic. 2002. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-439-20637-2.
PreS-Gr 3–Mean Jean is the recess queen. No one dares touch a ball, swing a bat, or slip down the slide until she says so. When new student Katie Sue invites Mean Jean to play, she transforms the bully into a likable character, much to everyone’s surprise. O’Neill’s use of words like “lollapaloosh” and “zingity-zing” makes this a terrific read-aloud, fun for both reader and listeners!
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