The Queen's Present

The Queen #3

by Steve Antony

The Queen has raced around London and dashed all over the UK. Now she is setting off around the world in search of the perfect Christmas present - and she's not alone. Father Christmas is here to help!

From the North Pole to the Sydney Opera House, via the State of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids and more - will the Queen find a gift that is truly special? And who is it for?!

A witty and stylish celebration of the Queen and the world's best known landmarks, created by Steve Antony, winner of the Oscar's First Book Prize, nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal and shortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize.

Praise for The Queen's Hat: 'This is a wonderful romp of a read that's a great introduction to London, royalty and all that makes Britain great.' - Sun

'... this picture book is hard to beat for its sweet simplicity and charming monochromatic drawings.' - The Times

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, British Literature, Adventure

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2016

About the author

Since his 2014 debut, Steve Antony has so far written and illustrated over 20 picture books, including the Mr Panda series, The Queen Collection, Unplugged, Green Lizards Vs Red Rectangles, Amazing and You Can. Steve has been nominated seven times and long listed once for the Kate Greenaway Medal. The Queen's Hat was adapted into a musical concert by the London Symphony Orchestra and won the Evening Standard's Oscar's Book Prize. His award winning Mr Panda series has so far sold over one million copies worldwide and has been optioned for TV. Steve also illustrated Tim Minchin's When I Grow Up, a cover of the Famous Five and the all-new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (adapted by Peter Bently). He has contributed work to the LGBTQ+ Pride YA anthology and Drawing Europe Together.

Reviews

[Hilary]

The Queen cannot find a present for the prince and princess. Father Christmas gives the Queen and her Corgi companion a whistle stop tour of the world in search of the perfect present. She doesn't find one so instead gives a hug from Grandma, which I thought was little bit cheesy, would have been nice to give something homemade or second hand I thought but of course they are thrilled with this.

This was a nice enough quick read, fun to spot the attractions from various countries, it reminded me a bit of the online Santa tracker.

[Ella]

The Queen needs a present for her grandchildren but she doesn't know what to get them. Father Christmas takes her all around the world, past lots of famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and The Great Wall of China, but they do not find anything. She realises that the best gift is her love. I think young children would find the book funny and enjoy it, due to the repetition and the elves in the illustrations. I don't, however, think it is the most engaging book but it could be used to spark interest in the famous landmarks before looking into these further. I would read the book to FS or KS1 children.

[Laura Talboys]

The Queen collection is officially my new favourite set of picture books. Definitely keen to read more of Steve Anthony!

[Sue Winson]

This is a fun book, probably not as awesome and hilarious as the Queen's Hat, but still brings us a little smile and giggle reading it. 22-month old little-AJ likes this book, but the Queen's Hat is still his favourite.

It was Christmas Eve and the Queen was still looking for her perfect present for the little prince and princess. Father Christmas came to help, and together, they flew up into the sky and travelled around the world in his reindeer sleigh.

This is a very educative book introducing children to the landmark places all around the world. There are Eiffel Tower in Paris, leaning Tower of Pisa, great pyramids of Egypt, Great Wall of China, Himeji castle in Japan, Sydney opera house in Australia, Statue of Liberty, and the very happening North Pole. I love how Steve Antony very cheekily slipped Mr Panda (a character from his another very popular book series) and a doughnut stall into the North Pole scene.

The colour scheme of the book is very Christmasy (red and green). The elves are really active and cute, busily climbing all over the famous structures in the world, decorating the places and gathering presents. This is a great fun book to read.

Blog review here: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...

[Alyce Hunt]

A lovely Christmas story, following Father Christmas and the Queen as they travel around the world looking for the best possible gifts for Prince George and Princess Charlotte. This one isn't as funny as The Queen's Hat, and with the illustrations being primarily pastel green they aren't quite as interesting for little ones, but it's still a nice story to read over the holidays.

[Lara Bate]

The Queen's Present by Steve Antony is a story of the Queen who couldn't find the perfect present for her grandkids. She ends up flying with Santa to find the perfect present and goes to destinations all around the world. In the end, the present was a cuddle from the Queen herself.

[Sean Harding]

The Queen #3
Another book in this series, with similar style and with the idea of what is a valuable gift, some interest, I suspect if being read to someone, this could succeed or fail depending on how good the reader is, and when they pause, and for how long.

[Briday Peers]

Perfect book about the perfect present - a cuddle from grandma! Just highlights that it’s who’s around the tree not what’s underneath it that matters (in all families)!

[Ali Ng]

Nice easy book to read for Christmas storytime sessions

[LudmilaM]

It would have been an average story if not for the hilarious illustrations. Loved it.