THE QUEEN OF FRANCE
by Tim Wadham and illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
Rose awakens one morning in a majestic mood. She selects items from her jewelry box and make-believe basket before promenading into the garden and announcing to her mother, “Hello, I am the Queen of France.” Rose’s commitment to the role is so complete that she continues, “Have you seen Rose?” Her mother and father are happy to play along, always gently emphasizing how much they love Rose as Rose. Soon this little girl is not content to be the Queen of France, she must also be Rose. So, she changes out of her costume, flounces into the kitchen and asks her mother the whereabouts of the Queen of France. Rose moves in and out of her role (and costume) before ultimately deciding that she’d really rather just be Rose, since her mother and father would miss her so much. But fancy can’t be subdued so easily, and after dinner Rose’s creativity stirs again. Illustrated in creamy, pink-hued watercolors that lend a glow to Rose’s cheery home, this sweet tale demonstrates that, with the right attitude and outfit, imagination reigns supreme. (Picture book. 2-6)