Shirin Yim Bridges

Shirin Yim Bridges, the author and publisher of the wonderful picture-book biography series, The Thinking Girl's Treasure of Real Princesses, which profiled influential women rulers from world history, turns in this new series, The Thinking Girl's Treasure of Dastardly Dames, to some of history's less admirable women. This entry in the series profiles Agrippina the Younger, the daughter of the famous Roman general Germanicus, and the great-granddaughter of Rome's first emperor, Augustus. show more Powerful, proud and ambitious - qualities not always admired in women at that time and place - Agrippina was married three times, lastly to her own uncle, the Emperor Claudius, who treated her as an equal co-ruler. It was at this time that she began to be viewed negatively in Rome, accused of scheming for power, and of many murders. Some described her as "atrox ac ferox" - "atrocious and ferocious." Her son Nero eventually became emperor, but turned against her, having her assassinated in the year 59 AD...

I found Agrippina Atrocious and Ferocious to be an engaging and informative biography, and appreciate the way that Bridges presents both the accusations against her subject, in her main narrative, and possible alternate explanations of her supposed "crimes" in the afterword. Agrippina may indeed have murdered some of her husbands, but the evidence is inconclusive. She may have persecuted her enemies, but records shows that, despite the rumors about her, secret trials actually decreased while she was in power. This balanced approach is needed, I think, and will encourage young readers and would-be historians to think critically about the narratives they are imbibing. The illustrations here, a mixture of paintings by Peter Malone and photographs of artifacts from antiquity, are appealing. My only criticism of the book, and it is not an insignificant one, is that the back matter is so much more scant than in some of Bridge's earlier books. Other than the afterword discussing Agrippina's possible guilt ("How dastardly was she?"), there is nothing here - no list of further reading or sources, no timeline. I really found that surprising, given that this is a biography, and meant to be an informative title. Leaving aside that criticism, which led me to deduct a star, I'm glad to have started this second series from Bridges, and hope to continue with other titles about history's dastardly dames. show less

Based upon the childhood experiences of her own grandmother, Shirin Yim Bridges tells the delightful story of Ruby, a little girl living in "Old China," whose love of the color red, and intense desire for learning set her apart from her sisters and girl cousins. Fortunate enough to belong to a wealthy family whose patriarch who allows both the boys and girls in his family to be educated, Ruby still wishes for more. She wishes to attend university like the boys in her family. But will her show more grandfather's unusual tolerance for female education extend that far...?

I loved Ruby's Wish, which is my first title from Shirin Yim Bridges, but hopefully not my last! The story is engaging, emphasizing both the blessings that Ruby enjoys and the challenges that she faces. Her grandfather, who learns of her secret desire through a poem she writes, is such an admirable figure - one obviously worthy of the love and remembrance he is accorded through this fictionalized story - and Ruby herself is a charming young character. The illustrations, done by Sophie Blackall in gouache, are likewise charming, and a perfect (and perfectly vivid!) accompaniment to the text. All in all, a delightful family story, one that reminded me of the work of Patricia Polacco, who also mines her family history for story ideas! show less

Growing up in a family of umbrella-makers, who live in a village of umbrella makers, young Noot longs for the day when she will be allowed to paint umbrellas of her own. After pestering her parents, she is finally given her chance, and her skill as a painter impresses everyone. The elders of the family are less than pleased, however, when she takes the first opportunity to begin painting elephants on her umbrellas, rather than the customary flowers and butterflies. Quickly set right, Noot show more dutifully returns to more traditional themes, but when the King comes to pick the village's best umbrella, thereby naming that year's Umbrella Queen, something very unexpected occurs...

Featuring an engaging and ultimately heartwarming story about the tensions between personal choice and creative independence on the one hand, and family and community obligations and economic reality on the other, The Umbrella Queen avoids making anyone the villain - Noot's parents aren't unsympathetic to her desires, it's just that they rely on the umbrellas they make for their living - and presents an ideal ending, in which an outside authority solves the problem. The story, although not the equal of author Shirim Yim Bridge's Ruby's Wish, is sweet, and the accompanying artwork by Taeeun Yoo is colorful and appealing. Recommended to those looking for children's stories affirming young people's own creative choices. show less

Part of Shirin Yim Bridges' The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses, a six-book series intended to highlight extraordinary, and frequently little known royal women from world history - other entries include Sorghaghtani of Mongolia, Artemisia of Caria, and Nur Jahan of India - this picture-book biography follows the incredible true story of Qutlugh Terkam Khatun of Kirman, a girl so beautiful that she was kidnapped (and married) several times, before becoming a princess who ushered show more in a golden age for her people.

Born Halal Khatun, she was the daughter of nobles in the small kingdom of Kirman, in what was then Persia, and is now part of Iran. The entire region had been thrown into turmoil, following the Mongolian invasion under Hulegu Il-Khan (ca. 1220 CE), who incorporated Persia into the great Mongol Empire. Halal Khatun was sold into slavery as a young girl, following a raid upon her city, and then purchased by a kindhearted merchant who made her his daughter. As a young woman she was forced to flee her adoptive home, after a magistrate attempted to force her into marriage, but the prince from whom she sought shelter, Ghiyath al-Din, had similar ideas. Their brief marriage ended when Ghiyath, fleeing from his enemies, was killed, and Halal Khatun was forced into a marriage with the man who had murdered him: Baraq Hajib, Atabeg ("father lord") of the Persian city of Yazd. This marriage too was short-lived, and Baraq Hajib's nephew and successor, Qutb al-Din, became Halal Khatun's third and last husband. This final marriage was a happy and long-lasting one, causing the princess to change her name to Qutlugh Terkan Khatun, meaning "lucky and free princess," and producing an unusual partnership, as the princess became her husband's equal in affairs of state. After his death, some sixteen years later, Qutlugh Terkan Khatun was named his successor by the Il-Khan, and ruled for twenty-six more years, a period that is considered the golden age of Kirman.

As with Sorghaghtani of Mongolia, the only other entry in Bridges' series I have read thus far, I found the story presented here engrossing. It's all the more incredible for being true, and I wish there were an adult biography available of this figure, as I'd love to learn more about her! The main narrative, in which Qutlugh Terkan Khatun's life-story is set out, alternates with brief factual asides that discuss where she lived, what she would have worn, and what she would have eaten. There is a brief list of names, with a pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book, which is most helpful, although I would have also liked a list of sources, and further reading. Leaving that aside, this is just another engaging book about a fascinating historical figure who deserves to be better known. I'm so glad that Bridges decided to write this series, as I think it taps into the "princess trend," and uses it to highlight some periods and figures from history that don't get much attention in western schools. I will definitely be tracking down more in this series! show less