With exquisite artwork and evocative text, this original fable explores the events of Jesus' life, and demonstrates the role of the Virgin Mary as the benevolent agent of God's people. Reduced to desolation by a king and prince who feel they have been wronged, the residents of a once-favored village must seek help from the queen, a native of their devastated town. Religious subjects are presented clearly in an allegorical style that proves entertaining, and also serves to provide children with examples of virtue and good behavior.
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“Wholly beautiful! For those of us with a religious background—or none!” —Kirkus on The Weight of a Mass
“Lilting storytelling style. Charming.” —School Library Journal on The Weight of a Mass
About the Author
Josephine Nobisso is the author of several books, including The Numbers Dance, Show; Don't Tell!, and The Weight of a Mass. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including Bank Street College's Best Book of the Year and a Catholic Press Association Award. She lives in Westhampton Beach, New York. Katalin Szegedi is the illustrator of The Weight of a Mass and was named Illustrator of the Year by Hungary's International Board on Books for Young People.
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More About the Author
Josephine Nobisso's first story appeared in a national magazine when she was 18. Since then, she has published over fifty books, mostly for children.
Each year, to rave evaluations, Miss Nobisso conducts about 100 workshops in "The Nobisso Recommendations: Guiding Students to Write in Their Authentic Voices," part of which comes to life in her book, Show; Don't Tell! Secrets of Writing. a book for which she received "The Global Learning Initiative Award" for "The Best Trade Book with Educational Application"-- a singular citation jointly administered by the Association of Education Publishers and the Bologna Children's Book Fair.
The National Catholic Educational Association named her "Distinguished Graduate," and Delta Kappa Gamma--the international society of honored teachers-- named her "Friend of Education," for "someone outside the profession who has worked significantly toward improving the educational opportunities of others, and who has given outstanding service to promoting quality education."
Among the very many honors that Miss Nobisso books have received are five other awards for Show; Don't Tell! Secrets of Writing: the International Reading Association/Children's Book Council "Children's Choice Award," an American Booksellers Association BookSense "Pick of the Lists" citation, a Parents' Choice Award, a National Parenting Publications Award, and was a ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Finalist.
Born February 9, 1953, in the Bronx, Miss Nobisso homeschooled her daughter, Maria Nicotra, the Art Director of Gingerbread House, the press they founded together. Miss Nobisso and her family live on the East End of Long Island.
Each year, to rave evaluations, Miss Nobisso conducts about 100 workshops in "The Nobisso Recommendations: Guiding Students to Write in Their Authentic Voices," part of which comes to life in her book, Show; Don't Tell! Secrets of Writing. a book for which she received "The Global Learning Initiative Award" for "The Best Trade Book with Educational Application"-- a singular citation jointly administered by the Association of Education Publishers and the Bologna Children's Book Fair.
The National Catholic Educational Association named her "Distinguished Graduate," and Delta Kappa Gamma--the international society of honored teachers-- named her "Friend of Education," for "someone outside the profession who has worked significantly toward improving the educational opportunities of others, and who has given outstanding service to promoting quality education."
Among the very many honors that Miss Nobisso books have received are five other awards for Show; Don't Tell! Secrets of Writing: the International Reading Association/Children's Book Council "Children's Choice Award," an American Booksellers Association BookSense "Pick of the Lists" citation, a Parents' Choice Award, a National Parenting Publications Award, and was a ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Finalist.
Born February 9, 1953, in the Bronx, Miss Nobisso homeschooled her daughter, Maria Nicotra, the Art Director of Gingerbread House, the press they founded together. Miss Nobisso and her family live on the East End of Long Island.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exquisite and Inspiring,
By
This review is from: Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope (Hardcover)
As much as I loved Josephine Nobisso's award winning "The Weight of a Mass," she has surpassed it with "Take It to the Queen," a book that will delight the eye, inspire the soul, and stir the mind. It is a marvelous allegory of Jesus, The Blessed Mother and her role in our salvation, and describes many of the Sacraments. It is very important to read the undersides of the cover flaps, as well as the Author's Postscript, for a full explanation of the symbolism depicted in the images, and which can be used as an excellent tool in teaching these precepts to children.Nobisso has once again used the brilliant talents of Katalin Szegedi to illustrate her text, and I am awed by her skill and rich sense of color, as well as the flowing quality of her compositions. The images are filled with beauty, and have patterns and details that one does not immediately notice, so that each time one picks this book up, there are fresh surprises awaiting the reader. "Take It to the Queen" is a masterpiece in the children's book genre, but has no age limits. It is a fable for all generations, with a moral that also transcends time, and faiths. One doesn't have to be Catholic to appreciate it, anymore than one has to be of a certain religion to admire the great works of art produced by it. Nobisso and Szegedi are using their gifts in ways that must bring joy in heaven as it does to their readers on earth.
37 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Illustrations/Complex Story,
By
This review is from: Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope (Hardcover)
I have read several very favorable reviews of this book -- one here on Amazon and some on other sites. It is, however, my humble opinion that these reviews are overstated. First, let me say I absolutely loved Nobisso's book, "The Weight of a Mass", and that is the reason I ordered this book for our parish library.I read this book twice since I received it, and still find it much too complicated and confusing for children 4-8 years old as suggested by Amazon. I asked my ten year old granddaughter, who is an excellent reader, to read it today without telling her my opinion. When she finished, she said she really didn't like the book, that it was too complicated. I mentioned that it was a fable about the life of Jesus and the role of Mary, and she said she did not realize this from reading the book. The allegorical style may be okay for older readers, but I doubt that children will understand what the author is writing about. The notes on the inside of the dust-jacket flaps give explanations of the religious symbolism and allegorical interpretations used in the book. I doubt that children will even understand some of the explanations, Here are two examples: "The clock face without hands: our story's spanning several eras." "The King dresses the fruit: while we creatures experience Earthly dramas, the Father's Will and plan are operating." The Kirkus Reviews states that this book vaguely incorporates concepts from Roman Catholic doctrine about a queen who represents an allegorical Virgin, and recommends it for readers ages 8-12. The publisher, Gingerbread House, lists this book as a "Cross-over" picture book for children and adults of all ages. I actually do not find anything Roman Catholic about this book, and I am not sure what the targeted age group should be.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Christian allegorical fairy tale, which pays tribute to the role of The Blessed Virgin Mary in salvation,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope (Hardcover)
Inspired by the works of the Italian mystic Luisa Piccarretta, Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope is author Josephine Nobisso's Christian allegorical fairy tale, which pays tribute to the role of The Blessed Virgin Mary in salvation through the story of a kingdom that parallels the three eras of history - Creation, Redemption, and Sanctification. The kingdom is ruled by a wise and just king that blesses his people, yet as time passes the people grow greedy and selfish, too obsessed with stealing from one another to do the necessary work to keep their aqueducts running clear and their fields laden with food. When the king's heir, the promised Prince of Peace comes among them, he too is robbed and treated cruelly. Yet when the people reach their lowest point, and are on the verge of starvation, they offer the Prince, the Queen, and the King their only remaining fruit. Even as the king turns a decaying piece of fruit into a worthy item for a banquet, the prince can help guide the people back to their old ways of love, respect, and work, the better to create prosperity for all. The painted-on-canvas illustrations add the perfect touch to this profound children's story.
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