The Unruly Queen by E.S. Redmond (Candlewick, 2012) is about a spoiled and unpleasant child, who will not listen to her nannies. When her 53rd nanny crowns her queen of Petulant Peak, Minerva is not quite so sure she wants to be queen there and goes about proving to her nanny that she does behave! I’m certain such manipulative reverse psychology does not really work on children, but then, have any of us met a child quite so spoiled as this girl? The Unruly Queen provides a humorous look at an exaggerated situation, but it surely will resonate with kids on some level. Pen, ink, and watercolor join to bring Petulant Peak (just beyond Wit’s End) to life.
I read this book for consideration for the Cybils 2012 awards.
