Customer Reviews

Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope

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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.

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.

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.

"Take it to The Queen; A Tale of Hope"

by Josephine Nobisso

illustrated by Katalin Szegedi

Gingerbread House Books

Imagine a kingdom, whose benevolent King gave His subjects fresh water to drink which poured from golden fountains, fields of hearty grain for baking fragrant bread, fine foals in their stables for transportation, and best of all, a beautiful and gentle Queen from among their own people, whose Son would come to visit them. You can only imagine how grateful the King's subjects would be, thanking Him each day for His kind providence, and enjoying loving fellowship with the Queen and her Son.

Anyone familiar with human nature darkened by Original Sin knows that this scenario could only exist in a fairy tale. The vices of greed and pride would soon take over, spoiling the perfect gift of the King for all. Man would soon find himself in self-imposed misery, and blame the KING, DOUBTING HIS VERY EXISTENCE.

Like her popular book, "The Weight of a Mass", "Take it to the Queen" is a captivating allegory of the life of faith. But don't let Szedi's whimsical illustrations fool you into thinking that this book solely for young children. "Take it to the Queen" is a story which has a wealth of meaning which challenges readers of all ages, and the more you read the book, the deeper you are able to mine its riches. Author Josephine Nobisso has included extensive notes under the book flaps to help the reader interpret the deeper meaning of the story and the meticulously crafted, illustrations. She does years of research around the globe for each story she writes. In "Take it to the Queen", she has incorporated elements of the popular devotion begun by Luisa Piccaretta; the Divine Will. Notes from Mrs. Nobisso at the end of the chapter explain this devotion and how it is incorporated into the story. After careful reading of this thought-provoking story, I found myself not only questioning my response to the generosity of the King, but whether I trusted my meager gifts to the loving hands of the Queen and her Son who would bring them to the King in the most beautiful form possible

Read this story with the entire family, and enjoy the powerful story without looking at the clues. Have the children suggest any allusions to the Gospel or the life of faith on their own. Then, ask the children to uncover the symbols in the story, and watch their excitement as they recognize elements from each. I read this story to students from 5th through 8th grade, and was amazed at how enthusiastic were the reactions from each class, though each enjoyed the book on a slightly different level. The children loved the story, and so did their teacher, though I had to fight the tears at the moving depictions of God's merciful love. The sign of a masterpiece of children's literature is that it speaks to all ages and that the book is saved to pass on to the grandchildren. "Take it to the Queen" is on its way to becoming a well-loved Catholic classic like "The Weight of a Mass".

This book is highly recommended for all children of the Queen!

Not only is it easy to understand the allegory of this story, but the allegory does what it should by simplifying a deeper truth. My kids were especially moved when the good prince came to help the village and was attacked by the people who had turned away from the king. We also liked how the villagers turned for help to the queen because she was "one of us." A beautiful and engaging way to teach catechism to children.

There is no doubt about the fact that this book has exquisite illustrations. The story is okay. It is chock-full... and even chokingly-full of Marian allegories.

It just seemed too contrived. As if trying to put every single allegory known to man in every single detail of this book. And most of it is way over children's heads anyway. It was even over my own, well-catechized head!

I love, love, love "The Weight of a Mass"... it's simple without being preachy. But this one, I don't know... just seems like it's trying too hard. Such a shame though, because the pictures deserve a more engaging, CLEAR text...

Beautiful pictures and wonderful story. I would recommend this book to anyone who questions how Catholics interact/pray (to) with Mary.

While my children and I enjoyed this book, it is not at all as captivating as "The Weight of a Mass," Nobisso and Szegedi's other collaboration. I get what they were going for, but the book probably could have used some reworking before publication. The story seems a little disjointed and the illustrations don't quite measure up to those in the other book. Still a nice book, but not as satisfying and magical as I had hoped.

What a wonderful, scripturally-based story to teach the role and importance of our Blessed Mother. An excellent read for the entire family.

Definetely a wonderful reading for children and even adults. The ilustrations are marvelous. I enjoyed evey page.

Janette Malavet