The following review is in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for LS5603.20, Genre 5—historical fiction.
1. Bibliography
Stanley, Diane and Vennema, Peter. 1990. Good Queen Bess:
the Story of Elizabeth I of England. Ill. by Diane Stanley.
New York: Four Winds Press. ISBN 0-02-786810-9
2. Plot Summary
Good Queen Bess begins before the birth of Elizabeth, when
her father, Henry VIII, decides to divorce his first wife, Catherine
of Aragon, and marry Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn.
Elizabeth is born shortly thereafter, and before she is four
years old, her mother has been executed and her father has
remarried and had a son. The birth of a prince means that
Elizabeth is no longer first in line for the throne, so she is sent
away from the palace. Through a series of events, Elizabeth
becomes queen at the age of 25 and rules England for the
next 45 years. The book mentions the major events of
Elizabeth’s life, including her potential husbands, travels
around the country, imprisonment of her cousin Mary, the
defeat of the Spanish Armada, and her support of adventurers
and artists, especially William Shakespeare. The book ends
with Elizabeth’s death on March 24, 1603.
3. Critical Review
Good Queen Bess is a biography of Elizabeth I of England and
for the most part is told chronologically. The story begins
shortly before Elizabeth’s birth and ends with her death. The
book is not just a list of facts. The facts are there, and seem
to be accurate, but Stanley and Vennema have created an
interesting story based on a major historical figure.
The book contains quotes from letters and documents of
Elizabeth’s time, but no dialogue. There is a bibliography
at the end of the book, but the sources for each individual
quote are not given, so it would be difficult to check them
for accuracy.
Elizabeth is portrayed in a very positive light throughout
the book. She is described as intelligent, musical, gifted
in languages, tolerant, clever and wise. The worst thing
that Stanley and Vennema say about Elizabeth is that “she
didn’t mind throwing a temper tantrum now and again if
that would gain time, change the subject, or win her point.”
for LS5603.20, Genre 5—historical fiction.
1. Bibliography
Stanley, Diane and Vennema, Peter. 1990. Good Queen Bess:
the Story of Elizabeth I of England. Ill. by Diane Stanley.
New York: Four Winds Press. ISBN 0-02-786810-9
2. Plot Summary
Good Queen Bess begins before the birth of Elizabeth, when
her father, Henry VIII, decides to divorce his first wife, Catherine
of Aragon, and marry Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn.
Elizabeth is born shortly thereafter, and before she is four
years old, her mother has been executed and her father has
remarried and had a son. The birth of a prince means that
Elizabeth is no longer first in line for the throne, so she is sent
away from the palace. Through a series of events, Elizabeth
becomes queen at the age of 25 and rules England for the
next 45 years. The book mentions the major events of
Elizabeth’s life, including her potential husbands, travels
around the country, imprisonment of her cousin Mary, the
defeat of the Spanish Armada, and her support of adventurers
and artists, especially William Shakespeare. The book ends
with Elizabeth’s death on March 24, 1603.
3. Critical Review
Good Queen Bess is a biography of Elizabeth I of England and
for the most part is told chronologically. The story begins
shortly before Elizabeth’s birth and ends with her death. The
book is not just a list of facts. The facts are there, and seem
to be accurate, but Stanley and Vennema have created an
interesting story based on a major historical figure.
The book contains quotes from letters and documents of
Elizabeth’s time, but no dialogue. There is a bibliography
at the end of the book, but the sources for each individual
quote are not given, so it would be difficult to check them
for accuracy.
Elizabeth is portrayed in a very positive light throughout
the book. She is described as intelligent, musical, gifted
in languages, tolerant, clever and wise. The worst thing
that Stanley and Vennema say about Elizabeth is that “she
didn’t mind throwing a temper tantrum now and again if
that would gain time, change the subject, or win her point.”
It is evident that the authors admire Elizabeth I and want
the reader to admire her as well.
Diane Stanley’s illustrations are richly colored and beautifully
detailed. The illustration of Elizabeth’s tutor shows the
wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes. The clothing
and jewels look almost three-dimensional. One of the most
interesting illustrations shows a painter working on a portrait
of Elizabeth, so the reader sees Elizabeth as the model and as
the portrait.
Good Queen Bess is a very entertaining and informative book.
It is easy to understand why it has been honored as a Blue-
bonnet Award nominee, an ALA Notable book, Booklist
Editor’s Choice, and Library of Congress Recommended Book
for Children, among other awards.
4. Review Excerpts
Publisher’s Weekly: “Intricate artwork conveys the delicate
lace and accoutrements of court dress, patterned ceilings and
cobblestone streets…. Through concise, skillful writing, the
queen's involvement in the complex political and religious
conflicts of the day becomes engrossing and easily compre-
hensible. With their attention to period detail--most strikingly
the elaborate Elizabethan dress, jewels and palace furnishings—
Stanley's paintings transport readers back to an intriguing era.”
Children's Literature: “Author/illustrator Diane Stanley and
her husband, Peter Vennema charmed us with Peter the Great
and now they have brilliantly brought to life Elizabeth I of
England. In a mere 40 pages the reader learns of Henry VIII
and his wives, his falling out with the Pope, the birth of
Elizabeth, her rise to power, the pageantry of her Court, and
her astute political savvy. Ms Stanley's illustrations depict
the grandeur of the Court and the magnificence of the
Queen's costumes.”
School Library Journal: “That most wise and wily queen of
England, Elizabeth I, is the subject of this picture biography.
The handsome illustrations, exemplified by the visualization
of those small English boats set afire and launched to face
the Spanish Armada, are worthy of their subject. Although
the format suggests a picture-book audience, this biography
needs to be introduced to older readers who have the back-
ground to appreciate and understand this woman who dom-
inated and named an age….The text is clearly written,
explaining the main events and key decisions of Elizabeth's
life and reign. For readers wanting more depth, a short
bibliography of mostly adult titles ends the book.”
5. Connections
Obviously, this book could be used as part of a study of
British monarchs. It would also be appropriate for a study
of William Shakespeare.
Recreate the pictures of some of Elizabeth’s costumes
using scraps of cloth, beads, etc.
Present a reader’s theater of one or more of the scenes in
the book.
Plan how you would entertain the Queen if she came to
your home during one of her summer progressions around
the country, including the food you would serve, gifts you
might give, etc.
A few of the many websites about Elizabeth I of England:
● http://historymedren.about.com/b/a/057502.htm
● http://www.historyaliveshows.com/queenelizabeth.htm
● http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/eliza.htm
● http://www.elizabethi.org/us/
● http://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/eliz1.html
Diane Stanley’s illustrations are richly colored and beautifully
detailed. The illustration of Elizabeth’s tutor shows the
wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes. The clothing
and jewels look almost three-dimensional. One of the most
interesting illustrations shows a painter working on a portrait
of Elizabeth, so the reader sees Elizabeth as the model and as
the portrait.
Good Queen Bess is a very entertaining and informative book.
It is easy to understand why it has been honored as a Blue-
bonnet Award nominee, an ALA Notable book, Booklist
Editor’s Choice, and Library of Congress Recommended Book
for Children, among other awards.
4. Review Excerpts
Publisher’s Weekly: “Intricate artwork conveys the delicate
lace and accoutrements of court dress, patterned ceilings and
cobblestone streets…. Through concise, skillful writing, the
queen's involvement in the complex political and religious
conflicts of the day becomes engrossing and easily compre-
hensible. With their attention to period detail--most strikingly
the elaborate Elizabethan dress, jewels and palace furnishings—
Stanley's paintings transport readers back to an intriguing era.”
Children's Literature: “Author/illustrator Diane Stanley and
her husband, Peter Vennema charmed us with Peter the Great
and now they have brilliantly brought to life Elizabeth I of
England. In a mere 40 pages the reader learns of Henry VIII
and his wives, his falling out with the Pope, the birth of
Elizabeth, her rise to power, the pageantry of her Court, and
her astute political savvy. Ms Stanley's illustrations depict
the grandeur of the Court and the magnificence of the
Queen's costumes.”
School Library Journal: “That most wise and wily queen of
England, Elizabeth I, is the subject of this picture biography.
The handsome illustrations, exemplified by the visualization
of those small English boats set afire and launched to face
the Spanish Armada, are worthy of their subject. Although
the format suggests a picture-book audience, this biography
needs to be introduced to older readers who have the back-
ground to appreciate and understand this woman who dom-
inated and named an age….The text is clearly written,
explaining the main events and key decisions of Elizabeth's
life and reign. For readers wanting more depth, a short
bibliography of mostly adult titles ends the book.”
5. Connections
Obviously, this book could be used as part of a study of
British monarchs. It would also be appropriate for a study
of William Shakespeare.
Recreate the pictures of some of Elizabeth’s costumes
using scraps of cloth, beads, etc.
Present a reader’s theater of one or more of the scenes in
the book.
Plan how you would entertain the Queen if she came to
your home during one of her summer progressions around
the country, including the food you would serve, gifts you
might give, etc.
A few of the many websites about Elizabeth I of England:
● http://historymedren.about.com/b/a/057502.htm
● http://www.historyaliveshows.com/queenelizabeth.htm
● http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/eliza.htm
● http://www.elizabethi.org/us/
● http://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/eliz1.html
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