What a sweet story. A lovely one to read aloud to children and the wonderful illustrations make it all so colourful. It is a simple story, yet informative, as the distance of the ocean's depth and darkness and the sealife the Queen and Mr Brown encounter, are all realistic, the rescuing heroic whale and the unfortunate angler fish. There is also something for the adult reader however, initially the title immediately conjures up Queen Victoria and her gilly Mr Brown! The references to the angler fish's eating habits and the Queen's unsuitable language are also humorous asides. The illustrations are wonderful and the expressions, particularly the varying faces of Mr Brown, are brilliant. Hidden within the simple story however is a lovely message/moral, be grateful for what you have. Mr Brown realising at the end that walking in the rain is far more preferable than the depths of the ocean. Though I do wonder what happened to the unfortunate piglet squid eating fish and whether he ever found a friend? Perhaps there is a sequel here!
Rosie Watch, A LoveReading Ambassador
| Suitable For: | |
| Primary Genre | Indie Author Books |
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The book provides a light hearted introduction to the Natural History Museum and I envisage that other types of animal life will be included in future stories.
The Queen and her corgi, Mr Brown, meet up with Polar Bear and Toucan at the Natural History Museum where they are transported by Conkerdor to the depths of the ocean. There they watch a variety of creatures through a porthole including the ugly anglerfish whom the queen declares is 'beautifully different'. The angler fish recounts a tale of having tragically eaten his best friend who had told him wonderful tales of life above the ocean. When disaster strikes the Conkerdor and the heating fails, they are fortunately rescued by a whale. The story ends with the queen recounting her adventures to her great grandchildren. What fun this was to read! I loved the illustrations which depicted the Queen and her great grandchildren so well and provided much humour, one of my favourites being the Queen strapped into the Conkerdor.... Read Full Review
Children from five upwards will love this book and enjoy the fun of seeing the Queen in quite ordinary and also very fanciful situations.
'The Queen and Mr. Brown: The Ugliest Fish in the Sea' is the fourth book in James Francis Wilkins series about Her Majesty and her corgi's adventures in the animal kingdom. Beautifully illustrated by the author, who is an artist and animator, the story is humorous but informative at the same time. Mr. Brown is less than impressed by the rain in London, when the Queen takes him for a walk to the Natural History Museum to embark on a new mystery tour. Their friends Polar Bear and Toucan are on hand to meet them when they arrive and they all take the animal's secret lift to the museum basement. They board the space transporter, Conkerdor, and are told they are going to the bottom of the sea, where no light can penetrate.... Read Full Review