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kba76's review
4.0
Beautiful illustrations, with a sense of nostalgia found in Hortense and the Shadow, but this has an appeal that can’t be beaten.
A simple message, beautifully told, with plenty of opportunities to read the illustrations.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me see a sneak peek.
A simple message, beautifully told, with plenty of opportunities to read the illustrations.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me see a sneak peek.
j_lbrbsblogs's review
5.0
A gorgeous book. The O’Hara sisters are doing again with there second, beautifully illustrated book.
When bandits find more than they were expecting amongst their ill gotten gains we are off on the story of The Bandit Queen. A charming tale, not as dark than the first, which demonstrates that family can be made in different ways and found in all sorts of places.
Setting aside my thoughts which shot off towards kidnapping, borne from years of reading crime fiction, because this is a children’s book, a fairytale, and a wonderful one at that.
As we know fairytales were often based on scary, even criminal activities and used as a way of warning children in terms that they could easily understand to be careful. Here it is more a heartwarming tale of realising that family is wherever you feel most welcome, comfortable, loved and knowing that’s where you want to be.
I think it should appeal to both girls and boys of the recommended age range of 5-7 year olds. I hope the sisters, author and illustrator, continue to produce more books of this quality.
Highly recommended.
With thanks for the invitation from Puffin who provided an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thoughts are my own, I have not received any payment for this.
When bandits find more than they were expecting amongst their ill gotten gains we are off on the story of The Bandit Queen. A charming tale, not as dark than the first, which demonstrates that family can be made in different ways and found in all sorts of places.
Setting aside my thoughts which shot off towards kidnapping, borne from years of reading crime fiction, because this is a children’s book, a fairytale, and a wonderful one at that.
As we know fairytales were often based on scary, even criminal activities and used as a way of warning children in terms that they could easily understand to be careful. Here it is more a heartwarming tale of realising that family is wherever you feel most welcome, comfortable, loved and knowing that’s where you want to be.
I think it should appeal to both girls and boys of the recommended age range of 5-7 year olds. I hope the sisters, author and illustrator, continue to produce more books of this quality.
Highly recommended.
With thanks for the invitation from Puffin who provided an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thoughts are my own, I have not received any payment for this.
awesomeemo's review
3.0
The illustrations are gorgeous, but the story fell flat a bit. The last page is gorgeous though and felt as that’s where the story should have picke up.
daffodilsbooks's review
4.0
Such a cute picture book!
Last year I was lucky enough to review Hortense and the Shadow through Netgalley and this year I was able to review the Bandit Queen.
You can definitely see the development through this book in comparison to the first they wrote/illustrated.
I love that a lot, the story was a cute one and of course it being a picture book I flew through it!
I can't wait to read a new one when it comes along eventually, thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Last year I was lucky enough to review Hortense and the Shadow through Netgalley and this year I was able to review the Bandit Queen.
You can definitely see the development through this book in comparison to the first they wrote/illustrated.
I love that a lot, the story was a cute one and of course it being a picture book I flew through it!
I can't wait to read a new one when it comes along eventually, thoroughly enjoyed this one!
cate_ninetails's review
4.0
I think that my Kindle ARC didn't translate very well, which is a shame because I really enjoyed the first Hortense book. The pages were all out of sequence so I focused on the art instead, which is once again the star of the show. From what I could gather, this reminded me instantly of Where The Wild Things Are as the little girl is made queen but also later I noticed some images that reminded me fondly of the old Madeleine books. I do love the bright spots of colour and the bandit characters. Another fun book, but probably much better in physical form than the digital version.
timbookshelf's review
4.0
I received a copy of this for review from Puffin via NetGalley. This has not influenced my rating.
I adored Hortense and the Shadow, so when I received an email about a new book from the minds of Natalia and Lauren O’Hara and was thrilled to get the chance to read it.
While Hortense felt like a traditional tale, The Bandit Queen leans towards much more modern children’s books (or at least in line with what I remember from 20+ years ago!). But that doesn’t make one better or worse than the other, just different. And I’m pleased to say I enjoyed The Bandit Queen just as much as their debut.
I’m sure this would be a joy to read to kids. The story is written in rhyme (something which is a very big plus from me in a children’s books), and little ones will have fun looking at all the things going on in the wonderful artwork.
I really will pick up anything this team of sisters creates, and will definitely be reading them to my future children.
I adored Hortense and the Shadow, so when I received an email about a new book from the minds of Natalia and Lauren O’Hara and was thrilled to get the chance to read it.
While Hortense felt like a traditional tale, The Bandit Queen leans towards much more modern children’s books (or at least in line with what I remember from 20+ years ago!). But that doesn’t make one better or worse than the other, just different. And I’m pleased to say I enjoyed The Bandit Queen just as much as their debut.
I’m sure this would be a joy to read to kids. The story is written in rhyme (something which is a very big plus from me in a children’s books), and little ones will have fun looking at all the things going on in the wonderful artwork.
I really will pick up anything this team of sisters creates, and will definitely be reading them to my future children.
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