There Once is a Queen

by Michael Morpurgo, Michael Foreman (Illustrator)

“There once is a Queen ever constant to her people…”

From the Nation’s Favourite Storyteller Sir Michael Morpurgo comes a poetic celebration of our Queen and longest reigning monarch, beautifully illustrated in watercolour by acclaimed artist Michael Foreman.

There once was a little girl, a princess, who became a queen, our Queen Elizabeth. Now, seventy years later, her reign as the longest serving female monarch in history has seen her stand steadfast through triumph and tribulation, and through the monumental changes that have shaped our world, as this remarkable queen has remained devoted to crown, to country… and a corgi or two!

Beginning with the queen as a little girl, planting an oak tree with her father, There Once is a Queen follows her incredible story in a way that will bring this historic reign vividly to life for readers around the world, big and small. An exquisite gift book and commemoration of the Platinum Jubilee, it marks a unique moment in our shared history and will be a treasured keepsake for generations to come.

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books

64 pages, Hardcover

Published May 12, 2022

About the author

Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

We do have an ongoing collection of Morpurgo’s works so this one was essential! He is such a talented man with a seemingly very easy way of connecting with children and in a world where educating kids about our royal family seems unimportant this book encapsulates the Queens very famous life for all ages to understand. Beautifully illustrated with ‘water coloured’ type pictures by Michael Foreman.
(R.I.P. Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.)

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this in the British Library in London and I had to buy it for myself. I am so pleased I did.
First of all, the author mentions the Faerie Queen. I respect the little history lesson and literary education for children on a writer who doesn’t get much of the limelight. Edmund Spenser’s works are fascinating to study and to mention Spenser in a children’s book… wow!
Second of all, this book is just beautiful. Morpurgo sums up our beautiful, kind and hardworking queen in simple yet stunning words, making the book a wonderful piece for children and adults alike. My heart felt full reading and heightened my love and respect for our lovely queen.
Thirdly, the illustrations are gorgeous and fit the lovely tone of the book. How cute are the corgis smiling at our Liz? 😍
I loved this book even though I am a 32 year old adult and I’m glad I bought it as a little celebration for Elizabeth II’s jubilee.

God bless the queen. 👑💜

[Shahrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet innocent look at the life of the Queen. So beautifully illustrated and presented. I do hope she got to read it as I think I would have given her a kick. RIP

[Joanne Eglon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to be a 5 star from me.. Borrowed this from the library and what a delightful book it was. A quick but insightful read and the illustrations were absolutely adorable. Will be reading again before I take it back 💕

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has to be 5 stars. Beautifully encapsulates our late Queen and beautifully illustrated. A book to treasure.

[The Library Mouse Tales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a jubilee hardback gift book. It contains a special story written to celebrate the Queen’s 70 year reign by one of my favourite authors Micheal Morpurgo and beautifully illustrated with watercolour drawings by Micheal Foreman. It seems like a fairy tale but is actually a biography of Queen Elizabeth II’s life from her early childhood.

It describes her as a little girl who loved horses and corgis and then grew up, joined the war effort, then married her prince charming, became Queen and had children of her own while continuing to rule over the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The story gives a good summary of the Queen’s life and her service to the country while the detailed illustrations help readers imagine the important events in the lifetime of this real-life fairy-tale princess who became our Queen.

I think this makes a lovely gift and will be an entertaining and informative part of a child’s bookshelf.

[Ayaka Kawamoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

👑“There once is a queen”

We are celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this Friday at school before the half term holiday! I was thinking about what book about her to read for the children and decided to read this book. That’s because this book focuses on her whole life-a little, outgoing girl, a young, energetic princess and the magnificent queen devoted to our country. This is written in a fairy tale style so it was easy to follow it for children especially those who just came to the UK from the different countries.

The children were saying “oh she was as young as us!” or “she’s gone through lots of things in her 96 years!”

あともう少しで、エリザベス女王即位７０年のプラチナジューベリー。街中にはユニオンジャックが飾られています🇬🇧
エリザベス女王の人生について書かれた本を児童に読みたいと思って探していて、この本を読むことに決めました。彼女の幼少時代、１０代、プリンセス、クイーンとしての人生が童話風に書かれています。９６歳のエリザベス女王に見慣れていた児童は、女王も僕らと同じように小さい頃があったんだとびっくりしていました😂彼らの想像を超えるような彼女の経験を、みんな驚きながら聞き入っていました。

[Surya · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the words of Michael Morpurgo anyone's life would seem serendipitous. Needless to say the Queen's life. Co-incidentally picked this book up in the library. A perfect good night story with amazing illustrations. The book cover is perfect too.

If I ever become a children's book author, I hope I write as beautiful as Michael Morpurgo or Oliver Jeffers or as funny as Jeff Kinney.
If I ever become a adult's book author, I hope I write as amazing as and the one and only William Goldman.

Good night Goodreads.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly wonderful story of the life of Queen Elizabeth II from being a child to the current day. The story starts with the planting of a tree and becomes an integral part of the story as Elizabeth returns to it throughout her life to think and find solace. The illustrations bring the story to life perfectly.

[Vikki-Booksie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful little picture book to commemorate the jubilee, the illustrations are perfect too, I loved sharing this with my daughter and discussing bits from it. Will be something we keep for the next generations to look back on.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this book celebrating Queen Elizabeth's platinum jubilee!

A beautifully written tribute to Her Majesty and all she has accomplished and championed through her life.

The illustrations are gorgeous and the words rhyme which is fun.

A special book!

[Isla · Rating 5 out of 5]

'There once is a queen. Not a fairytale nor a faerie queene. But *our* queen.'

Lovely celebration of the Queen's reign. 💜👑 Clever links to the faerie queene and beautiful illustrations.

[Emily May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful words and illustrations- I cried. Will be recommending to my library customers- great one for children and parents to read together.

[Graham Sillars · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated story book telling the fairytale story of our recently passed queen.

[LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Georgina Heatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet story, however Princess Anne’s birth was before the coronation, not after… Royal History need here.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title gives the ideas about the book, with colour illustrations is well-written book or the young readers about the Queen.

[Saturday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was published for the Platinum Jubilee (1952-2022), however it has now become a nice way for younger readers to be able to reflect upon the Queen Elizabeth II.

[Jackie Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely sort story.

[Laura-Jane & Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book with my little one. The illustrations are beautiful. Easy read for children to understand the life of the best Queens

[cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not long enough to be able to say much, although not particularly moved by it.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this at a bookshop while visiting Bath, and although it was written and intended for the Platinum Jubilee, it's all the more poignant after the passing of the Queen. I felt that I had to have it as a reminder of this historic time, and to commemorate the experience of being in the UK during the transition. This book is lovingly written, a brief portrait of an extraordinary life and a wonderful introduction for children. The artwork is by far the main highlight for me — beautifully detailed and charming. Queen Elizabeth II's life encompasses an era that is well worth learning about.