This biography of Queen Elizabeth is a very inspiring story! It could even be considered a book highlighting feminism! Queen Elizabeth waited very patiently for the throne. After her father had two daughters, he remarried in hopes to have a son who could be his heir to the throne. After his passing, along with the passing of her dreadful sister Mary, Elizabeth became queen. She sought to keep her kingdom away from France and Spain's control. At age 29, she was still unmarried and caught smallpox. Everyone feared that she would pass away and leave her country with so successor. Mary's cousin soon conspired against her with the king of France, Elizabeth's ex-brother-in-law. After finding that Mary had many other conspiring against the queen, she and all of the others were executed. After reigning for 45 years, Queen Elizabeth died at age 70, and Mary's son James VI took her place. She loved her people dearly. ( )

Good Queen Bess: The Story of Elizabeth I of England tells the life story of Elizabeth I. Beginning with the circumstances and events leading to her birth to Henry VIII and Anne of Boleyn, the book follows her journey to becoming queen of England. It tells readers of how she was very strategic in interacting with her councilors as well as foreign diplomats. It also narrates her struggles in trying to find a husband and her difficulty in being able to maintain trust with friends as many people plotted to overthrow her. It tells the story of her accomplishments such as defeating the Spanish Armada which led to peace and security for the establishment of cultural development. The book ends with her death and describes the respect she had by those who knew her--even her enemies.

This is a good biography because it provides a lot of accurate information from before her birth to after her death. It contains some direct quotes, but also cites the sources the author used to increase credibility. However, rather than presenting a balanced individual, the book does paint Elizabeth I in a very positive and skewed light.

GENRE: Biographical

USES:
- introduce a study on the English monarchy or the Elizabethan Age
- have students construct a graphic organizer such as a timeline to organize and study sequence of events

I was completely captivated when I read “Good Queen Bess: The Story of Elizabeth I of England”. I feel that the book provides just enough detail of Queen Elizabeth’s life without being too dense or confusing for children to understand. The authors provide a note at the beginning of the book which gives a brief explanation of the Protestant Reformation. I appreciate that the authors didn’t just assume that readers would already have this background knowledge. Additionally, I think that the illustrations match up smoothly with the text and give readers a visual sense of what life was like during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. The illustrated portraits of King Henry VIII’s six wives and the portraits of Queen Elizabeth’s potential husbands help the reader visualize key players in the time period. “Good Queen Bess: The Story of Elizabeth I of England” provides a well-written story of a “queen who won the hearts of her people and the admiration of her enemies”. ( )

Wife-and-husband team Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema - whose other picture-book biographies include Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens: The Man Who Had Great Expectations - here tell the story of England's Queen Elizabeth I, for whom the 'Elizabethan Age' was named. From her father, King Henry VIII, and his pursuit (through six wives) of a son, to Elizabeth's own girlhood, her accession to the throne, and her long reign, Good Queen Bess covers the major events and ideas of its subject's life and times, introducing complex topics - religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics, issues of succession - in a straightforward, easy-to-understand way.

Although an excellent biography for young readers, I do have to agree with those who have said that this is not - despite being a picture-book - a title that would be appropriate for very young children. It's too text heavy for that, with concepts that are a little too involved, and would be better aimed at children who are independent readers. Those children for whom it is well suited, however, are really in for a treat! With a fascinating topic, and gorgeous goauche illustrations (I really prefer the cover of the edition I read, with its decorative border, to the reissued edition, which simply has Elizabeth's face on a deep maroon background), Good Queen Bess is simply a fabulous children's biography! ( )

This is a well done introduction to England's Queen Elizabeth I. I would, however, take objection to the text saying that Elizabeth's reign didn't have the religious bloodshed that Queen Mary I's reign did. Mary was far more violent towards Protestants, but Elizabeth wasn't completely tolerant of Catholics, as I feel the book tries to portray. ( )

Another good biography from Diane Stanley. It wasn't as in depth or fascinating as her biography of Joan of Arc but Queen Elizabeth had a much longer life to chronicle. Stanley does not leave out any of the facts as some stories about Elizabeth for children do, she very simply explains some of the more complex relationships in the Queen's life. Highly informative and well done. ( )

I read this book aloud to my daughters.

Another great biography by Stanley! We are really enjoying her books, which are richly illustrated. The historical information is just enough and not too overwhelming for young readers.

This would be a great addition to your history books! ( )

This is an informative and engaging biography about Elizabeth I. In 40 pages it manages to capture the highlights in Elizabeth's life and career as well as clearly describing the political and religious environment of the time. It describes Henry III's multiple marriages and where Elizabeth fell in succession order. it describes the conflict between the Catholic and protestant churches. It describes the pressure Elizabeth was under to marry. It also portrays Elizabeth as wise and politically astute. The narrative voice is informative and does not seem to embellish. The illustrations are engaging and enhance the text. There is a bibliography to document the sources used.

My only criticism of the text is that it paints Elizabeth without any flaws. She does not want to pass anti-Catholic laws; she does not want to execute Mary Queen of Scots; she is forced into these decisions because of attempted rebellions. Did she do nothing wrong during her reign? Nevertheless, i would highly recommend this book to grades 4 to6. ( )

Good overview of the reign of Elizabeth I and her life. Also covers the political and religious factions in a consise manner. The many illustrations show the fashion and lifestyles of the times. Good overview of the relationship and tensions between Scotland and England and the cousins Elizabeth and Mary.

Not overly exciting but a good way to put all the pieces together. ( )

Good Queen Bess: The Story Of Elizabeth I Of England by Diane Stanley is a great book. This book told the story of Queen Elizabeth, daughter of Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII. It tells a shorter, childproof story of her life as Queen. She was such a good Queen and her people loved her very much. They even named the era that she ruled during the Elizabethan Era. Since King Henry VIII did not have any sons, Elizabeth was next in line to rule, after Mary, her older half-sister. This book would be excellent to read or use as a resource during a history lesson. This website has a lesson plan about Queen Elizabeth. ( )

This is a biography of Queen Elizabeth. I think this would be great to read to kids with a history lesson or social studies lesson. ( )

Review—

Genre- Historical Fiction. This is a great Historical Fiction book because of its relevance to history and to the present world today. It is about a women that changed the course of history and whose life is still celebrated today. Knowing where we, as a human race, have come from is largely important but then a handle can be grasped on the obstacles that were once over taken.

Age Appropriateness- Upper Primary ( )