Queen Latifah

A young, confident, African-American girl explains why she is the queen of the playground scene. The sassy protagonist models values of positive self-image and self worth and encourages young readers, “So girl, take pride – Even if at first you fall, keep giving it another try. The queen in you walks tall.” As would be expected from an author who is the First Lady of Hip-Hop, Queen Latifah composed the text to read like a rap with mostly rhyming verses. A bonus that children will love show more – a CD accompanies the book, with a 2 ½ minute track of the author herself narrating the story. The main character’s attitude is echoed through the quality of the illustrations that are bright, bold, and full of energy and movement. Ages 4-8 will enjoy this upbeat and rhythmic empowerment story. show less

I have been reading a lot of picture books lately. I mean, A LOT. I work in the children's department of a library and my current project is weeding the picture books. So I have been getting acclimated to them as I am usually more of a YA reader. I am using this book as my outlet for a lot of the books I've been reading lately in that the rating system just doesn't work for me. Sometimes, I will come across a book that is an outstanding story but the illustrations are Just. So. Bad. Or the show more reverse of that and the illustrator is a genius in gouache but the writer makes me sleepy or aggravated or whatever. In this case, I think the illustrations were brilliant and appropriate. But, and this pains me because I LOVE Queen Latifah, the writing left me cold. The rhyme scheme was horribly off sometimes and when it seemed like maybe she was wrapping up the story, OH NO! We are jumping right back in. I couldn't really get into the groove of it though the message was lovely and hizzah girl empowerment. And I think great picture books for African American girl empowerment get even more of a HIZZAH. So while I would have given the illustrations a full 5 stars, disappointinly I only bestow the big QL 2 1/2 for her writing. show less

While I don't necessarily think of myself as a young woman anymore (which is who the book is geared towards) I do think that this book contains lessons that any woman, and even men, should learn. The basic ideas of the book are love yourself for who you are, take time to care for yourself first, and love the people around you for who they are.

I've always liked Queen Latifah. She's always seemed to me to be fairly grounded. I think my favorite thing about this book is that she proves to the show more reader that she's just a normal person. She makes mistakes, she's not perfect, and she realizes that. I think she's a great role model. (Side note I LOVE her fashion sense. I have for a while, but my love for her eye was solidified when I read How to Never Look Fat Again and it says something to the effect that if you're a plus size woman dress like Queen Latifah, she knows what she's doing.)

I've been going through some tough times mentally in the last year or so and reading this book did help me. While it's mostly stuff I already knew (like I said it's geared for young women, and I have left that arena a bit ago) it was information that I needed to remind myself. Somehow reading that "The Queen" was and had been going through some of the same things really helped me find the strength I needed to kick my own butt and get myself back on track again.

If you're having some self doubt, about anything in your life pick this one up. If you know a young woman pass it along. It can't hurt to try and teach a young woman the lessons we've all had to learn the hard way! It also could be beneficial for some young men. It's written for a woman, but I think the lessons are great for men or women.

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. This is not a paid review and is a truthful and honest review. show less

Really well put-together motivational memoir -- recommended for listening by any woman, but especially young, 'at risk'.