| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this book presents a strong message sure to empower kids of all shapes and sizes, especially girls. Nothing objectionable is contained in its pages.
A young, athletic African-American girl struts her stuff on the playground. She can swing a hula-hoop, twirl a basketball, and win at hop-scotch, foot races, stick ball, basketball, and any sport you can name. She has it all because she has heart, even when the going gets tough.
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.
Families can talk about the "queen of the scene." What makes her so strong? Do you think she sets a good example? Could you be like her? Can you remember times you felt so confident that you were the queen (or king) of the scene?
| Author: | Queen Latifah |
| Illustrator: | Frank Morrison |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Picture Book |
| Publisher: | Laura Geringer Books |
| Publication date: | November 3, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 32 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
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