Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope

by Josephine Nobisso, Katalin Szegedi (Illustrator)

Overview

With exquisite artwork and evocative text, this original fable explores the events of Jesus' life, and demonstrates the role of the Virgin Mary as the benevolent agent of God's people. Reduced to desolation by a king and prince who feel they have been wronged, the residents of a once-favored village must seek help from the queen, a native of their devastated town. Religious subjects are presented clearly in an allegorical style that proves entertaining, and also serves to provide children with examples of virtue and good behavior.  

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780940112193
Publisher:	Gingerbread House
Publication date:	12/01/2008
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	447,217
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 11.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD1080L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Josephine Nobisso is the author of several books, including The Numbers Dance, Show; Don't Tell!, and The Weight of a Mass. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including Bank Street College's Best Book of the Year and a Catholic Press Association Award. She lives in Westhampton Beach, New York. Katalin Szegedi is the illustrator of The Weight of a Mass and was named Illustrator of the Year by Hungary's International Board on Books for Young People.

Editorial Reviews

“Wholly beautiful! For those of us with a religious background—or none!”  —Kirkus on The Weight of a Mass

“Lilting storytelling style. Charming.”  —School Library Journal on The Weight of a Mass

From the Publisher

This allegory of the Christian story is filled with Roman Catholic symbolism. A king makes a pact with the mayor of a town: the king will marry a woman from the town and when they have a son, he will send the son to sit on the village council and teach royal wisdom. The king favors the village with a good life. He marries a girl from the village and they have a son. However, things in the town go from bad to worse. Later, when the young prince arrives on horesback, the people take his things and beat him. Soon the villagers are starving, and the mayor comes to the queen to ask her to intercede. He brings a wormy apple, all they have left. The king peels the apple, the prince cuts it in slices, and the queen arranges it on a plate. The prince urges his father to accept the queen's request to see the mayor. The prince then presides over the village council and good is restored. The colored pictures have a fairytale quality. The illustration of the prince presiding over the council is reminiscent of da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper. An author's note and the underside of the book flaps explain the intricate Catholic symbolism. This may be an interesting coffee table book for Roman Catholics. Reviewer: Carlee Hallman

Children's Literature - Carlee Hallman

Nobisso and Szegedi (The Weight of a Mass, 2002) team up again for another original tale vaguely incorporating concepts from Roman Catholic doctrine, this time in a story about a queen who represents an allegorical Virgin Mary. The lyrical prose describes a king and his paternal relationship with his favorite village. He selects a young, exemplary wife from this town, and prior to her marriage to the king an angel gives her a prophetic dream of a special son. This child grows up to be the Prince of Peace, who restores health and wealth to the king's favored villagers after they suffer a decline springing from complacency. The story can be enjoyed on its own, without any reference to the underlying Christian parallels, although many readers will recognize the concepts of the Annunciation, the Communion table and the Roman Catholic idea of intercession. Szegedi's striking illustrations combine acrylics with collage, all on textured sepia backgrounds that impart an antique air. Extensive notes explaining the religious symbolism, and allegorical interpretations are included on the reverse of the dust-jacket flaps. (author's note) (Picture book. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews