Elizabeth I, the People's Queen

May 1, 2011

Biographical narrative combines with activities to bring good Queen Bess to life, with mixed results.

Queen Elizabeth's reign, like Shakespeare's theater, was high drama, and during that reign the tiny island nation of England rose in stature among world powers. It was the Age of Exploration, the era of the Reformation, a time of drama in politics, in the church and on the high seas. Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, but the king longed for a boy, an heir to the throne, and Henry's divorces and multiple marriages in pursuit of a male heir caused much political and religious unrest. Elizabeth's 45-year reign, though, was long and strong, as she made little England a military power and cultural giant. Billed as an "interactive biography," this attractive entry in the For Kids series offers 21 activities to supplement the text and provide a sense of what Elizabethan England was all about, but there is a disconnect between the challenging, dense historical narrative and the activities, which include carving turnips, dancing courtly dances, singing madrigals and munching on marzipan. The many illustrations, maps, sidebars and the descriptions of activities accomplish what the text, as well written as it is, may not, by enlivening the volume and offering parents and teachers a way to make the era come alive.

A very qualified success. (timeline, bibliography, index) (Biography. 9 & up)

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May 1, 2011

Gr 4-8-Elizabeth I is a towering figure in both British and world history, and this book does a good job of explaining why. Although she has an era named after her, and is credited with forging a new identity for her people, Elizabeth herself was shaped and directed by circumstances beyond her control: religious conflicts, political machinations, and a new colonial impetus. Hollihan investigates all of these factors, with the changing religious landscape given the greatest prominence. Elizabeth's own story is often explained in religious terms; the description of her life of service to her country sounds very much like a nun's devotion to the Church. And despite constant references to Shakespeare, the most prominent and complex relationships portrayed are those that the queen had with her half sister Mary Tudor and her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots. The writing is clear and suited to readers with no previous knowledge of the topic. The activities vary in difficulty, from reading The Faerie Queen, to creating a family coat of arms, to growing a knot garden. The book is well illustrated with black-and-white reproductions of portraits, engravings, and paintings depicting major events in the Tudors' lives. A list of resources includes books, websites, and even tourist sites. This well-organized book succeeds at being interesting and scholarly at the same time.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

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