Queen of the Class

Ann Estelle Stories

by Mary Engelbreit

Ann Estelle gets chosen for Stage Manager in the school play -- and only her irrepressible energy and cheer can overcome flubbed lines and forgotten props to make sure the show goes on!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother’s childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary’s distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more.

Mary’s New York Times bestselling The Night Before Christmas is part of the holiday tradition for families across the country. Other beloved additions to a child’s first bookshelf are her New York Times bestselling Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose and Mary Engelbreit's Nursery Tales, which are perfect companions to this volume.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Ann Estelle story hinges on a school play.

As always, in picture books (and outside of them as well) every play brings a tremendous amount of drama... in addition to whatever the play is supposed to be about.

What's different about this perfectly fine school play picture book? The pictures, of course. And the excellent Mary Engelbreit calligraphy.

FIVE STARS

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know this existed, until I spotted the series on my Library’s shelf.

Super adorable & I love that it introduces the roll of stage manager. Now, I want to recommend to all persons who have been a stage manger (super awesome roll).

[Sarah Limb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the message of this book. It brings up memories of doing theatre growing up and being utterly devastated when the part you wanted went to someone else. I love that it shows how you can embrace the role you are given even if it is wasn’t what you initially wanted.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ann Estelle is disappointed when she is made the stage manager instead of cast as the queen in her school play but learns the appreciate the importance of her part. A lovely story with Mary Engelbreit's signature illustrations.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant story featuring Ann Estelle. Plus wonderful illustrations.

[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I liked a whole lot better than the kiddo did.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Mary Estelle learns that being a stage manager is an important job.

[Taylor Schnepf · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the class play was coming up, Ann Estelle knew for a fact she was going to get the part of the queen. She knew she was perfect for the part, she had a crown ready for the part, but when the day of announcing who got what part came around, Ann Estelle became very disappointed. She didn’t get the part but instead she got the part of stage direction, she had no idea what that even was, she didn’t want the job but kept going with it anyways. When the play came around, she was needed more than she realized, she then figured out that the play wouldn’t have flowed if it wasn’t for her and that was better than the role of the queen.

I think this is a good lesson for kids to learn. Some kids think it’s important to always get what they want and to be in the center of attention to be noticed. That’s not the case, in this book, Ann was so set on being the queen, she wanted to be the center of attention of the play but in the ended felt so much more rewarded when she was the one that helped the play run smoothly. It’s a great lesson to help kids learn that helping some people can have a big impact and can be more rewarding than a lot of other things.

In the text, there was sometimes where the font changed. On one of the first pages, it says, “Ann Estelle felt she was perfect for the part,” and the “perfect for the part” was in a fun colored script instead of the classic font. This happens several times throughout the book with several different colors and fonts. I think the author does this because she wants to put some of the focus and emphasis on those words or phrases. When she does that, it gives more depth and maybe a better understanding of what Ann Estelle was feeling. When you read “perfect for the part”, you can tell she is really excited about the thought of the part of the queen and I think if it was just classic font, you wouldn’t be able to feel that extra emphasis from it.

[Mom (Tash) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have another FUN book for those of you who like to share Story Time with good ol' Grandma Tash! Try checking this one out! Of course Mary Engelbreit's illustrations drew this book to my attention as I was hanging out it the childrens' room of the library. And then I read the story and, guess what? The words are as fun as the pictures! Ann Estelle really wants to be chosen to be the QUEEN in her class play at school! Was she chosen? No. She was so sad, until she found out that she had a part in the play that was very, very important. She learned a very important lesson that we all should learn.

[Bonnie Pohlig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun story, with great pictures, and it is a great way to engage the class. The book has certain words in special font that the children can see while you read, and when you approach that word, they can say it, giving it all the feeling of that word. A great drama/rehearsal warm-up, as children really have to stretch their creativity to say words like "sword" or "curtain."

[Ender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes we discover new things about ourselves when things don’t go as we planned.