Blueberries for the Queen

by John Paterson, Katherine Paterson, Susan Jeffers (Illustrator)

In 1942 Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, living in exile after theNazi invasion of her country, spent the summer in Lee, Massachusetts,with her daughter and granddaughters. The following is based on a truestory....

It’s summertime in New England during World War II, and a boy namedWilliam likes to imagine at bedtime that he is a brave knight fightinggreat battles to end the war. But in the morning he is always justWilliam again, not big enough to contribute to the war effort like therest of his family.

Then a real queen moves in just down the road: Queen Wilhelmina of theNetherlands. William’s parents explain that the queen has been forced out of her country because of the war. Now William has his chance to do something. It may not be “war work” -- it’s more like peace work -- but that makes all the difference.

Susan Jeffers’s dramatic illustrations portray the compelling contrastbetween William’simagination and the real events in the story, which are based on anactual incident in John Paterson’s childhood. Visually stunning, with anevocative, poignant telling, this is the picture-book art form at itsfinest.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy, War, Historical, Food

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

There is more than one Goodreads author by this name. This entry is for John ^ 2 Paterson.

John Paterson Sr. has collaborated with his wife, Katherine, on CONSIDER THE LILIES: PLANTS OF THE BIBLE, IMAGES OF GOD, and BLUEBERRIES FOR THE QUEEN. He lives with his wife in Barre, Vermont.

Reviews

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the cover I was expecting a medieval story. It is medieval in parts, but these parts exist in young William's imagination. It is 1942 in rural America. William is an ordinary boy growing up on a farm. His family are involved in the war effort. The war is mentioned and certainly a part of the story but it doesn't hit young readers over the head with the miseries of war. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands is forced into exile and turns up near William's home. William and his brother Roger are very keen to catch a glimpse of the Queen. William decides to try and take some blueberries to the Queen, as blueberries make your mouth rejoice. An unusual tale perhaps but it is based on the real life childhood of John Paterson, the real William of the story, who took blueberries to the Queen.

[Miranda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy living in poverty with hopes to meet the royal family, especially the queen, dreams at night of being a brave warrior who can save the day and come to the queen's rescue. Blueberries really saved the day and made his dream a reality. This is a fun read that brings adventure to the classroom and expresses that dreams do happen.

[Tamera Mcmahon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s fun sharing and learning about historical events with your grandchildren!

William learns that the Queen of the Netherlands will be staying at the Lloyd estate (in Lee, Massachusetts) and wants her to feel less sad through a gift of blueberries. His brother is certain he will be unable to present the gift, but he shares the blueberries with the Queen.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Queen Wilhelmina moves temporarily to a rural town in New England, a young boy imagines what she is like and eventually plucks up the courage to bring her some freshly picked blueberries. Based on a true story!

[Patricia Kaniasty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope this was based on a true story. I really liked it. Gave kids a chance to dream and to become adventurous.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy who daydreams of being a knight and fighting dragons wants to bring a gift to the refugee Queen of the Netherlands in 1942. It's a sweet, imaginative picture book.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

TOPICS:
* WW2
* Queens
* Netherlands
* Neighbors
* memoirs

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a real experience by John Paterson in 1942, this book also accurately reflects sibling rivalry and childhood imagination as well. Susan Jeffers illustrations strongly support it all.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly thought this was a fantasy novel. That said, I'm delightfully surprised nonetheless. The fact it's based off a true story makes it better.

Because they are not as attention-grabbing as the British monarchy, I often forget that countries did, and still do, have monarchies. Specifically, the Netherlands, whose Queen Wilhelmina and her family took refuge in my home state of Massachusetts during World War II. And there was a little boy sweet enough to bring her blueberries just welcome her to the neighborhood is an adorable story during a dark time in history.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how to rate this. We found this at the library, just looking around, and glancing through it I could see the boys imagination working overtime so I decided it was coming home with us. (Julia has a vivid imagination and we like to read stories which parallel that at times.)
Anyway, there is more story than with most simple picture books so that's one plus for us. We still read plenty of simple picture books, don't get me wrong, but we're stepping it up a notch at the same time.
My daughter is 5 years old and I kind of think this may work better for maybe 6-8 year olds? I truly loved the fact that this is based on a real event in history - those tend to be some of my favorite kids books and I had no idea that this was so until I reached the end of the book. (Imagine the aweome story someone had to tell others for life!) (No queens ever come to Middletown, Delaware.) :-(
Julia was into it, she didn't lose interest and the illustrations are okay, nothing special to me or her.
I'd maybe recommend it for boys or girls from a mature 4 to about maybe 8 with very active imaginations. A healthy interest in queens wouldn't hurt either.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh! Why do siblings always have to be portrayed in such a fashion. This would have received at least four stars if the brothers had gotten along and the older brother had not teased the younger so.

A little boy is too young to help with the War efforts (WW2) until he comes up with an idea while picking blueberries with his dad one day.

Ages: 4 - 8

Cleanliness: brothers fight; an older brother teases and laughs at the younger brother. The word “stupid” is used.

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[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very charming story.

A little boy, with an active imagination, wants to help with the war effort (WWII), but finds he's just too small to help the way his older brother and parents do. Then, one day, rumors spread that a real queen has rented a house down the road. The older brother teases his little brother about never having seen a real queen. Eventually, the little boy picks fresh blueberries and takes them to the queen, but will she see him personally? A wonderful, wonderful story about small ways to bring peace, community and caring together in times of conflict.

My 4-year old LOVED it and took it to bed with her. The illustrations are fantastic (one of the reasons I was drawn to it!). But, the thing that makes this a truly fabulous story . . it's based on a true story!! It even includes a picture and brief history of the real little boy who took blueberries to the Queen (of the Netherlands).

A lovely addition to the "must-read" for kids, especially if you want to teach them about peace!

[Giselle Avina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be unbearably adorable. The idea of a little boy desperately wanting to help win World War II learns that sometimes, peace work is more effective than war work. He is determined to see the Queen of England for himself while she is taking refuge in America in an estate right near his home, so he decides to attempt to bring her some fresh picked blueberries. He ended up being invited into the big estate to present the queen his blueberries in person, and found that she is just a regular, nice and gracious woman. He then ran home with an amazing story to tell his family, and his doubtful older brother. I was delighted to find that the historical note at the end indicated that it was a true story. :)

[Sam Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is sweet and recognizable and simple. When the Queen of the Netherlands moves into the neighborhood, we see her through the little boy's eyes. When he brings her blueberries and finds her "in disguise as a grandmother" it does not destroy the beautiful imaginings we've been seeing in the illustrations, rather, it just helps add beauty to what the real world can offer. It speaks explicitly about being a little boy who wants to grow up and help the war effort (WWII) and then finding an alternative identity as a peacemaker. Since this is a boy who would be in his 20s in the 60's, that also makes a lot of sense, I think.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sweetly written picture book that has some fascinating historical insights to it. John Paterson recalls this extraordinary adventure from his childhood with remarkable clarity and Katherine Paterson fills in the cracks beautifully, developing the story to fulfill all of its potential.
The drawings of Susan Jeffers are exceptional, particularly her rendering of the boy, William. The life that she creates in his bright blue eyes makes William even more personally accessible than he otherwise would be.
All considered, this is a very nice picture book, and I would recommend it.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Patterson. Based on true story. Happens in WW II time. The Queen of Netherlands lived in Massachusetts with her daughter and 2 grandkids the summer of 1942. The younger son of the family living down the road picks blueberries for the queen--it's his "peace work". I love the theme of the older brother who needs a lot of practice being a good brother. The authors don't spoon it to you, but you feel inspired to do better by reading about how they are with each other.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cried at the author's note. This was a beautiful book but way to long for storytime. During World War II everyone in John's family is helping with War prep but he is to young. What can he do. Meanwhile a Netherland Queen's family has moved into the area. Everyone wants to meet the queen. One day John goes on a peace mission to the queen's house with a basket of freshly picked blueberries. Will he get to meet her?

[Lacey Bolen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of good vocabulary and could potentially go along well with a social studies unit. I thought the plot was well developed and the illustrations were a great addition which showed the power of the imagination. I also thought the story held a great message of staying positive and believing in yourself.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love Susan Jeffers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story based on a real life incident.

[Jane]

A good pick for kids ready for a picture book with more text, it brings to life a small piece of WWII history that will be unfamiliar to most.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hamilton County Reads Children's pick for 2010. I love this story, but why do they keep picking books that make me what to cry? I have to read this to a group of children!

[Sandybear76]

good kids book.

[Rusty Gregory · Rating 2 out of 5]

This as a fun imaginative book, but it had a lot of words.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story, especially as it is based on a real event. Jeffers illustrations are, as ever, exemplary.

[Christen Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the historical facts in this story

[Hannah]

This is a true story about a little boy who brings blueberries to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands when they stayed in Massachusetts after being exiled during World War II.

[Renee Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a real encounter with Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands during WWII.

[Larena · Rating 4 out of 5]

C: CHILDREN: No offensive language, sex or nudity but might contain occasional comedic Violence.

E:Easy: 3rd grade Vocabulary

Method: Physical Book

Location: Chautaugua-Cattaraugus Library System

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a gentle story with nice illustrations. It didn't hold their attention though.