Queen Elizabeth (88): Volume 87 (Little People, BIG DREAMS)

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Little Elizabeth loved dogs and horses and dreamt of living on a farm. But, one day, she heard chants on the streets. Her uncle Edward had renounced the crown, which meant her father would be the next king, and she heiress to the throne. From that day on, she had to learn how to one day be the queen. We learn all the essential facts about the Queen - from whose daughter and granddaughter she was, to her famous speech to children during World War II, her wedding, coronation and royal duties. In the end, there is a 'longer' text with a brief biography of the Queen. The quality of this summary for children is perfect. In my opinion, it's supported by the fact that many newspaper articles about the royal family don't mention more details. The illustrations deserve separate praise. There are plenty of corgis on them. Some pictures show altered familiar photographs - the Queen surrounded by her grandchildren and Mia Tindall holding her handbag. I can look at them over and over again.

This problem is significant enough that I'm dropping a star, especially since it would have been so easy for the author to mention the Queen's faith while talking about her legacy of service. If someone is interested in a picture book biography that does mention the role of Christianity in the Queen's life, I would recommend Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen Who Choose To Serve, a recent release from a Christian publisher. However, a book should not have to come from a faith-based publisher to mention someone's deepest beliefs and values. My daughter is 5 and she did a song and dance at school for the Queen's Jubilee in June this year and has asked me a lot about the Queen lately following her funeral on 19th September which has also sadly coincided with the passing of her grandad so we have been able to use this book to talk about the positives too. She learns it is a full-time job with constant demands on her time and attention. No wonder she enjoyed the company of dogs and horses! Best of all, the book shares a strong message about the importance of serving others. Instead of glamorizing Queen Elizabeth's position, the book shows that she had to make a lot of personal sacrifices to be queen. Her reign wasn't about satisfying her personal desires or making a name for herself, but about doing what her people needed.Queen Elizabeth tried starting new traditions such as walking through the crowds to say hello, she made a law saying girls had the same right to the throne as boys which was quite an accomplishment, and started a televised Annual Christmas Broadcast. In all she met 14 British Prime Ministers, 13 Presidents, and many Leaders who had a role in shaping the World. She traveled overseas more then 250 times visiting 110 countries. Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS! Queen Elizabeth follows the story of young Lilibet, who would grow up to become Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Matching games and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children . I absolutely love the Little People, Big Dreams Series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. I think her books are wonderful for children and expand each’s vision of life’s possibilities. Yet, her books are not just for children, I always love reading them as an adult. Every time I read about a person, I learn something new.

A children's book about a real character should meet two criteria - be readable and without nonsense. This latest addition to the Little People, Big Dreams series fully fulfils it. Queen Elizabeth is written by the creator of this edition Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara and is accompanied by charming pictures by Melissa Lee Johnson. She was never really seen as a future Queen but her uncle’s abdication threw her into being a future heir to the throne. This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Matching games and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children​​.

As the book shows Elizabeth was an inspiration to many and she achieved a lot during her 70 years on the throne, but she was never meant to be the Queen and this book shows how her life changed and she became the heir to the throne. At the beginning the series was first published in Spain as Pequeña & GRANDE by Alba Editorial, and now Little People, BIG DREAMS is translated into more than thirty-three languages. Maria Isabel likes to think the success of the series relies on the fact that children love to read real stories about other children’s experiences, lives and journeys. It gives them the strength and the courage to believe in themselves and dream BIG. As The Independent once said: “What a cool way to drift off to sleep.” Queen Elizabeth is an exception perhaps to the rule; some would say she was born into privilege, part of the elite classes. However, the story rather than side-stepping the facts, focuses on the things that made Elizabeth such a special and much loved monarch.

I would say she learned that lesson well, but the illustration certainly shows how many people serve the royal family. She was only ten years old.This was a fascinating book that has so much history to learn and also terrific whimsical information that children are likely to love. The Queen loved animals, so someone sent her an Elephant named Jumbo. The illustrations are beautiful and fun and add to the special quality of this book. I definitely recommend this book for schools, libraries, and book stores. That said, I'm glad the book not only ended on a happy note but didn't go into the royal shenanigans and issues the Queen faced during her long reign. This is a book for young readers, aimed at simply introducing them to a prominent figure and no need to taint that experience. Bad stuff happens to all of us, so appreciate the focus on her life and accomplishments. I am a huge fan of the books in this series and I knew that this one was due to be released before her death on 8th September 2022 so it is just good timing that it has been released now so shortly after her passing but I think it is a book that will be really of benefit. Sadly, she lost her father shortly after and was stunned to discover she was it – the next head of state.

There is no doubt that her love of country life and animals never dimmed, and one of my favourite illustrations is this one, of her beloved Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She spent her summers there every year, and it was at Balmoral that she died in early September 2022. (This was being published before her death.) She could not have envisaged what the future would bring, but she was prepared and enabling so that many others fulfilled their own dreams through her advocacy, support and service. As a woman she was a outnumbered with few female influencers, when the world was dominated by men, in a man’s world. The life, we celebrated at her Platinum Jubilee was one of overcoming obstacles, inclusion of others and lifelong service. Little Lilibet became not only Britain's longest-reigning monarch but also a wonderful, warm woman. This charming addition to the Little People, Big Dreams series focuses on Queen Elizabeth II, and it was prepared for publication prior to her death. The book shares about her childhood, her experiences during World War II, and her long reign. The illustrations are both cute and appropriately detailed, giving a sense of historic fashions and technology.Her uncle Edward had renounced the crown, which meant her father would be the next king, and she heiress to the throne. From that day on, she had to learn how to one day be the queen. When she was only 13, World War Two broke out across the globe. Ah, at last, a visit to the Tudor times of England and a Queen who had to struggle to get and keep the throne, who reigned while Shakespeare was alive, but who needed a Scot to bail England out with the job of ruling after her virginal time was past and the Tudors were no more. Oh, wait, now, what's this? This has got the war in, and a relative abdicating, and marrying Philip the Greek. Meanwhile, World War II is underway, and she trained as a driver and mechanic. After the war, when she was only twenty-one, the country celebrated her marriage to Prince Philip. The book tells us she saved her ration coupons for the fabric for her wedding dress. I thought that was a nice touch to her story. From that day on, she would be taught how to be the next queen. The first lesson was simple: a good queen serves her people, not the other way around.”