Summary
In this imaginative, fun, rhyming book, Queen Vashti refuses to go when the king commanded. This book brings new interpretations to traditional texts. Queen Vashti is wearing her comfy pants and hanging out with friends, but the king wants her to dress up. Queen Vashti takes a stance and refuses to do what the king asks her to do. She tells him multiple times that he can’t tell her or the rest of the girls what to do. So the girls decide to leave and see parts of the world they’ve never seen.
Theme(s):
Empowerment, Take a stance, Speak up and make yourself heard
Personal Response
I was unfamiliar with Queen Vashti before reading this story. I had to do some research to get information of who Queen Vashti was and learn about Megillah, the book off of Esther. I enjoyed the story and thought it was entertaining through the rhyming and illustrations. It’s an empowering story of how women need to stand up for themselves. However, I don’t think I would read this in my class as it involves biblical events.
Teaching Ideas
During March, as it’s women’s history month, I would give my students a brief overview of this story and explain how Queen Vashti stood up for herself and other woman. We would have a discussion of how we feel when other’s tell us what to do. We’d also discuss the importance of using our voices for what we believe in. Then I’d have my students research other famous women who are known for speaking up about what they believe in.
Recommended Reading Level
Birth-PreK
