While 'The Unruly Queen' has similarities to these titles, I found the story to be unique and original enough to warrant adding to my list.
Minerva von Vyle is not actually a princess. She is however a very spoilt and bratty child who is all but ignored by her snooty, extremely rich and neglectful parents.
It falls to the staff of her household to follow Minerva around all day, everyday cleaning up her mischievous messes. She has gone through 52 nannies in 52 weeks, but it is the 53rd nanny that finally makes a difference in Minerva's life.
Upon arriving and witnessing some truly appalling behaviour, the 53rd Nanny declares that she is there to crown Minerva The Unruly Queen. At first thrilled, Minerva soon discovers that perhaps it is not the ideal job after all.
The Unruly Queen must reside on Petulant Peak, with no staff to attend to her every whim, ruling over all manner of misbehaving beasties and surrounded by constant havoc and horrendous noise - which, as the 53rd Nanny reasons, Minerva must enjoy, seeing as that is how she likes to spend her day behaving.
Minerva discovers that the only way to not be crowned The Unruly Queen, is to stop qualifying for the role with her nasty behaviour, and thus she begins to act like a pleasant and civilised human being, and also starts to appreciate all that she has in her life.
With fast paced rhyming text and fabulously detailed Tim Burton-esque illustrations, this book has such a great grasp on humour. A pinch of Mary Poppins and a splash of Nanny McPhee in the character of the 53rd Nanny will have all carers relating to the use of reverse psychology to influence behavioural changes.
Absolutely lots of fun!
Title: The Unruly Queen
Author/Illustrator: E S Redmond
Publisher: Candlewick Press, $27.99
Publication Date: 28 February 2012
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780763634452
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book
