Me, the Queen and Christopher by Giles Andreae and Tony Ross
| Me, the Queen and Christopher by Giles Andreae and Tony Ross | |
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| Category: Confident Readers | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: It's the Queen as you've never seen her before. Pure fantasy (I hope!) and great fun. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 96 | Date: May 2012 |
| Publisher: Orchard | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1408320051 | |
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Freya, who is seven years old, received a very important letter. On the back of the envelope it said Buckingham Palace and it was from the Queen, inviting her to tea. It looked as though the day was going to be a disaster as Freya curtsied - and managed to knock the Queen over. But the Queen is nothing if not resilient and up she got and off they went to her private quarters where she and Freya made themselves baked beans on toast and mugs of tea ('always dip your tea bag exactly twenty-seven times' is the Queen's advice for a good cuppa) and really it's rather like being in Freya's Gran's flat.
Except, Freya's Gran probably doesn't do Dancercise whilst singing Yes, sir, I can boogie at the top of her voice, although these days, you never know. When they (and the corgis) are utterly exhausted they settle down and look at the family photographs. Freya has one of her brother Christopher and the Queen is very touched when she sees that Christopher is in a wheelchair and she's quick to suggest that they make him a box of cupcakes.
Yes - it's glorious fantasy. Well, it must be because I'm sure that the Queen could not be that messy when she's baking. And you've guessed right - this isn't the usual story about that rather serious lady who has her face on all the stamps. It's whimsical, it's witty and it's just slightly naughty with its references to knickers (Friday's pair have dogs on them). It's FUN and not at all worthy.
The delightful story is accompanied by illustrations from Tony Ross. We know him well and he does a wonderful job of breathing life into the Queen (well, not literally, you understand) and the interior of Buckingham Palace. Don't rely on it being quite the way it looks in the pictures though.
It's a fun book, with a poignant touch and I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
For a slightly more serious, but still not sycophantic, look at Her Majesty, we can recommend The Queen by Richard Brassey.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Me, the Queen and Christopher by Giles Andreae and Tony Ross at Amazon.com.
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