Queen of the Scene (by Queen Latifah)

Besides being good at everything, the big-striding, arm-swinging "queen of the scene" stands up for the other kids, especially girls, and challenges them to "take pride" and find the queen in themselves. Frank Morrison's stunning, exuberant illustrations reflect his break-dancing past, and they shout rapper/actor Queen Latifah's message across each page. The long-legged, flowing girl-queen is drawn in a style similar to the characters Morrison created in Jazzy Miz Mozetta, for which he won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent.

The rhythm and rhyme unfortunately don't flow as well as the illustrations and seem a bit jagged at times. But included with the book is a CD on which Queen Latifah reads the story in the intended rap-style, with an accompanying background beat. Her own queenly style and strength underscore the message that we all can "be the best" if we believe in ourselves.