Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope

There is no doubt about the fact that this book has exquisite illustrations. The story is okay. It is chock-full... and even chokingly-full of Marian allegories.

It just seemed too contrived. As if trying to put every single allegory known to man in every single detail of this book. And most of it is way over children's heads anyway. It was even over my own, well-catechized head!

I love, love, love "The Weight of a Mass"... it's simple without being preachy. But this one, I don't know... just seems like it's trying too hard. Such a shame though, because the pictures deserve a more engaging, CLEAR text...

Definetely a wonderful reading for children and even adults. The ilustrations are marvelous. I enjoyed evey page.
Janette Malavet

Not only is it easy to understand the allegory of this story, but the allegory does what it should by simplifying a deeper truth. My kids were especially moved when the good prince came to help the village and was attacked by the people who had turned away from the king. We also liked how the villagers turned for help to the queen because she was "one of us." A beautiful and engaging way to teach catechism to children.

What a wonderful, scripturally-based story to teach the role and importance of our Blessed Mother. An excellent read for the entire family.

Inspired by the works of the Italian mystic Luisa Piccarretta, Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope is author Josephine Nobisso's Christian allegorical fairy tale, which pays tribute to the role of The Blessed Virgin Mary in salvation through the story of a kingdom that parallels the three eras of history - Creation, Redemption, and Sanctification. The kingdom is ruled by a wise and just king that blesses his people, yet as time passes the people grow greedy and selfish, too obsessed with stealing from one another to do the necessary work to keep their aqueducts running clear and their fields laden with food. When the king's heir, the promised Prince of Peace comes among them, he too is robbed and treated cruelly. Yet when the people reach their lowest point, and are on the verge of starvation, they offer the Prince, the Queen, and the King their only remaining fruit. Even as the king turns a decaying piece of fruit into a worthy item for a banquet, the prince can help guide the people back to their old ways of love, respect, and work, the better to create prosperity for all. The painted-on-canvas illustrations add the perfect touch to this profound children's story.