The Queen's Feet

Sarah Ellis
Illustrated by Dušan Petričič
• Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize nominee, 2007
• Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice, 2007
• Shining Willow Award nominee, 2008

Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories / Juvenile Fiction / Royalty
32 pages • 11 x 8 1/4"
ISBN 0–88995–414–3 paper • CDN 6.95 • USA 6.95

Queen Daisy had a great deal of trouble with her feet. They had a mind of their own and did not like behaving in a royal way. Proper shoes were out of the question, and sometimes her feet did not wear shoes at all! Her feet were especially naughty when Queen Daisy forced them to dress properly. At balls her feet would kick high in the air or tap-dance on the marble palace floors. Once, when a king from a neighbouring kingdom brought his mean, bullying ways to Queen Daisy's court, her feet hauled off and kicked the king in the ankle. That's when a meeting had to be called of all the wise women and wizards and footmen in the kingdom to find a solution to Queen Daisy's terrible problem. And what a solution it turns out to be. Queen Daisy's feet will dance into the hearts of restless feet everywhere.

Sarah Ellis's wonderfully whimsical tale will ring a bell with all children and adults whose feet get restless. And Dusan Petricic illustrations may well encourage a little more unroyal behaviour.

Reviews
"With its whimsical humour and its support for the importance of rebellion (in small doses), this foot-stomping read-aloud will please plenty of fidgety youngsters."
–Publishers Weekly

"Ellis's fun, spirited story matches well with Petričič’s cartoon illustrations. An energetic, fun story that will tickle the restless toes of children everywhere."
–School Library journal

"Required reading for all unruly little kickers, stompers, squirmers and scuffers."
–Kirkus

"The high-energy illustrations . . . are the stars of the pages here (so many toes!), but the text bears endless readings, as parents will increasingly appreciate once kids get the jokes for this rollicking story of something afoot in Daisy's queendom."
–The Georgia Straight

"The slightly aghast oh-no-not-again tone of Ellis's narration is perfectly partnered with the impish sass and inspired silliness of Dušan Petričič’s illustrations."
–Quill & Quire

"Ticklish delightful and stomping good time."
–Curled up with a good kids book

"This collaboration between Sarah Ellis and talented, award-winning illustrator Dušan Petričič is a lively contribution to picture book collections. . . The book is full of visual treats."
–Resource Links