I know we shouldn’t have expected the Queen to go on
forever, but it was still a shock when she died so suddenly last Thursday. Of course we all knew she was 96 and getting
frail, but seeing that photo of her only two days earlier, greeting the new
Prime Minister, the main thing I noticed was her lovely smile. Then, as soon as the news was announced, all
the centuries-old ceremonies accompanying the death of the reigning monarch and
the installing of the new monarch began, which of course none of us had ever seen before.
It was all quite fascinating to watch.
Then I began to wonder what children, especially younger
ones, will remember about the Queen now she is no longer around, and once her
face has disappeared from stamps, coins etc.
Very soon, no doubt, in their minds Elizabeth II will be relegated to
ancient history, like Victoria and Elizabeth I.
For those of us who have lived all or most of our lives in the 70 years
of this Elizabethan age, when so many changes happened, it’s hard to imagine
anyone not being aware of her, or of her influence in our country and around
the world.
But of course there are books, so many books, written
especially for young children about Queen Elizabeth II, so I thought I would
mention some here.
1 The Queen’s Hat – by Steve Antony (for 3-5 year-olds)
A sudden gust of wind sets of a marvellous London adventure for the Queen, the Queen's men and one very special hat. So let's follow one determined, dare-devil queen through London Zoo, over Tower Bridge and up Big Ben ... just where will that hat land?
2 The Queen’s Knickers – by Nicholas Allan (for 3-5 years)
It's a busy year for the Queen - she has lots of important events to attend. Meanwhile, a little girl is wondering what knickers Her Majesty will choose to wear on a school visit! Will they be her 'at home' knickers - adorned with corgis - or her 'garden party' knickers, or perhaps her woolly Balmoral ones...?
3 Queen and the Fairy – by Sarah Smith (apparently for all ages, though I would
guess mainly for younger children!)
The Queen is visited by a magical fairy on the day of her
Platinum Jubilee. The Fairy gives the Queen three magic wishes which leads to
them going on a magical adventure.
These, of course, are all fiction for very young children – but I’d also like to include these more factual books for slightly older children:
4 Little Elizabeth – by Valerie Wilding (for 6-8 years)
Once, a very long time ago, there was a little Princess
called Elizabeth (or Lilibet as her family liked to call her) who loved to play
and have fun with her horses, dogs and little sister, Margaret. But when she
was ten years old, her life changed forever.
5 The Queen’s Wardrobe – by Julia Golding (for ages 7-11)
This book tells the story of a young princess who grew into
one of the world's best-loved and longest-serving royals, touching on wartime
truck-fixing, ration-book wedding dress making, splendid gowns, the Crown
Jewels, and her trusty wellies.
And lastly, if you will forgive me, could I add a plug for my own latest book?
6 Billy and the Queen – by Lynne Benton (for ages 7-11)
Set in 1953, the year of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation,
ten-year-old Billy is excited at the prospect of going to London to see the
Queen. However, things don’t go
according to plan…
It would be good to think that these books will still be read and enjoyed long after we’ve all got used to singing “God Save the King”!
