Amazon.com
Once there was a little girl--an orphaned African princess--who narrowly escaped death by human sacrifice in a West African village in 1850. A British sea captain named Frederick E. Forbes saved her life by talking King Gezo of Dahomey into giving the girl to Queen Victoria of England as a gift: "She would be a present from the King of the blacks to the Queen of the Whites." As impossible as this tale sounds, it is a true one. Award-winning author Walter Dean Myers--piecing together her story from letters he found in a rare book and ephemera shop in London--paints a hauntingly detached portrait of the small African princess whom the heroic captain named Sarah Forbes Bonetta.
We follow her charmed but unlucky life as the Queen's protégée through a succession of British middle-class households, beginning with the Forbes home. Because of her celebrated association and frequent visits with the Queen, Sarah grows up in an unusual position of privilege, education, and celebrity. On the flip side, she is keenly aware that her decisions are not her own, and as a rescued orphan under the Queen's protection, her life's path is dictated by those acting in what they perceive to be her best interests. It is hard not to feel that it was cruel of her protectors to wrench her (more than once in her life) from the adopted family she adores, and eventually to encourage her to marry a West African businessman whom she clearly stated she could never love, and who would take her away from her adopted country. As the epilogue states, "She was both unfortunate in her losses, and fortunate that those losses were not greater.... She seemed to find a measure of comfort wherever she was, but was destined to be apart from the world in which she lived." This story, rich with historic prints, photographs, newspaper clippings, excerpts from Queen Victoria's diary, and Sarah's letters, is both fascinating and tragic. We have Myers to thank for rescuing this fine woman again--this time from the forgotten shelf of a London bookstore. (Ages 11 and older)
Customer Reviews:
Interesting and easy to read........2006-07-13
My son had to pick two books off of a large list to read over the summer for school. After reading the other reviews of this book, we picked it. It was a wonderful choice. The book was very interesting, fast paced, well written and easy to read. I read it in 3 hours, and my son was able to read in in a few nights without any complaints of boredom.
Why Isn't Hollywood Calling???.......2001-09-08
If any literary giant needs to have his work adapted to film, it is Myers. As one of the premier writers of fiction for juveniles, the author has added another significant piece to his long line of classics. This one tells the story of a little-known African princess who comes under the wing of England's legendary Queen Victoria.
Not only does the book reveal the horrors of the African slave trade, the atrocities that some tyrants inflict on their enemies, and the class system that pervades much of a "civilized" society, it is a marvelous tale of a girl who overcomes such obstacles and becomes the darling of English society.
Although Sarah's life is brief, it is a memorable one as the character grows from frightened child to a loving mother.
I am recommending that all my students read this book as well as others by Myers. Now, if only someone in "Tinsel Town" would discover this fine author.
I'd much rather see his stories on the big screen than any about a teenaged wizard.
Good book!.......2001-02-18
I think this is a very well written book. I think that Walter Dean Myers is an amazing writer and that it is great he found this fantastic girl that many have never heard of.
What I Think!.......2001-02-07
The book, At Her Majesty's Request was the most wonderful book I've read because it tells the story of how Sarah Bonetta overcomed so many problems. First w/ the horror of watching her parents being killed, and then almost being sacrificed by the slave holders because of who she was and where she lived.Then when she was saved by a white man whom she couldn't even understand becase she spoke a different language.And then soon after that she learned how to speak english and then she became friends w/ the Queen of England, Queen Victoria.So the book to me was very heart-warming and I hope you love the book too! Go Wells Wolverines!
Poignant and Unlikely Story of African Princess.......2000-08-14
"At Her Majesty's Request: An African Princess in Victorian England" tells the life story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, who was born an African Egbado princess, captured by rival Dohamans and taken to Dahomey to be murdered in a ritual sacrifice, rescued and adopted by a British naval captain, taken to England and presented to Queen Victoria, and raised under the Queen's protection in England and Sierra Leone. This handsome book is a very fine biography for young readers; it includes many excerpts from Sarah's letters and the Queen's diaries, as well as historic illustrations. Relevant information about 19th century West Africa and Britain (e.g., the Dahomey empire, the slave trade and British actions to end it, Christian missions in Africa, Sierra Leone, the British class system, women's place in society, etc.) is well presented. Although Sarah's story is interesting because of its uniqueness, much about the lives of ordinary 19th century West Africans and Europeans can be learned here. Despite the fact that there is little material concerning Sarah's life, the author has done a fine job and readers interested in Africa should be glad he did. The book contains a useful bibliography which includes "Dahomey and the Dahomans" (1851) by Frederick E. Forbes (the captain who rescued and adopted Sarah).
19th century Dahomey is also the setting of "The Viceroy of Ouidah" by Bruce Chatwin.
Book Description
The Three-Dimensional Victorian Doll House is a beautifully illustrated carousel doll house with two stories and eight rooms. When you tie back the ribbons, the house stands on its own, revealing great decorative details and authentic-looking-pop-up period furniture - and press-out play dolls and accessories!
Customer Reviews:
Great book for little girls.......2007-07-07
My daughter loves pop-up books and this one is beautiful! She is at an age where she has quite an imagination and this book helps her to live out some dreams. It is a treasure.
great for travel dollhouse!.......2007-07-04
This is nicely made, pretty sturdy, and perfect to take along for traveling to relatives houses or on any vacation. Folded up it takes up almost no space, but provides for fun pretend play when opened up.
Victorian Glory.......2007-01-14
It was in perfect condition and made a very good gift for my 6yr old granddaughter.
A Charming Gift!.......2007-01-12
For dollhouse lovers, this is a real gem! It's the size of a tall book, GREAT for taking on trips! Opens up to full-circle dollhouse. We love the old fashioned, Victorian style. It's sturdy, well-made and able to light up a child's face in a big way!
Victoian Doll House was a hit.......2007-01-09
I bought 2 of the Victoria Doll houses as gifts for my 2 great nieces. I was present when one of my nieces opened her gift and played with it. She is 6 years old. She loved it. She played with that doll house the whole time. She told me it was the best present she ever received.
Average customer rating:
- Victorian era for sure
- Victorian Treasure Trove
- An amusing and interesting book
|
Nonsense & Common Sense: A Children's Book of Victorian Verse
John Grossman , and
Priscilla Dunhill
Manufacturer: Workman Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Nursery Rhymes
| Baby-3
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Classics by Age
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Poetry
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Family of Poems, A
ASIN: 1563053136 |
Book Description
To be read aloud before bed or during a quiet moment, this book introduces a literature of delight to the whole family. In the Victorian era, the best poets and literary minds created a special world for children. Today these poems, with their rollicking energy and old-fashioned values, are still brimming with charm, whimsy, and truth.
Here are offerings from Amy Lowell, Edward Lear, James Whitcomb Riley, Lewis Carroll, Emily Dickinson, and Robert Louis Stevenson combined with treasures hidden for a century or more in scrapbooks, anthologies, and dusty copies of The Youth's Companion and St. Nicholas Magazine. Poems on the virtues of home and family, the seasons, animals, patriotism-and silly poems that mean nothing at all.
Charming full-color pictures of the period decorate each page, and for parents and older readers, there is marginalia on the poem or poet.
30,000 copies in print.
Customer Reviews:
Victorian era for sure.......2007-05-14
This is just what I was looking for. Beautifully illustrated and sweet old fashioned thoughts to share with children. Be careful not to share the sexist ideas in some of them, with the children. We don't want to loose any ground that we have made since the Victorian times. For the most part, just good messages. It's not a book about today....but a look back in time.
Victorian Treasure Trove.......2001-11-29
If you love Victorian illustration you will be in heaven with this terrific book. It is a treasury of over 100 Victorian era verses set up in sections about Childhood Years, Sprites and Goblins, Rules for Growing Up, Absurdities, and the World of Nature. The illustrations are full color and just as charming as you could possibly wish. The quality of the paper, printing, cover, and dustjacket are all top-notch. There are interesting margin notations that give the history and background of the verses and pictures. Here's a parting thought from the book. "Ride, ride the carousel, Reach for the golden ring, Never to finish, But begin again. Life is a circular thing."
An amusing and interesting book.......2000-03-14
I found this book a little different from other children's books of verse. It is a book of victorian verses that teach children of good manners, and others that are just plain amusing. Some of the verses are cumulative, which means a new line is added with each verse, such as "the little old lady who swallowed a fly" which are good for helping children understand the progression of the story, as well as helping them to learn to read because the words are repetitive. I also found interesting the notes on the side of the page that gives a little history behind the verse. The pictures in this book are beautiful and look as if they come straight from a victorian scrapbook. I think this is an excellent book!
Customer Reviews:
Great Portable Dollhouse.......2006-11-08
This is sooooo cute. I am always awed by the creativity of artists. It makes you wish you could live in this beautiful home. Absolutely eye candy for the senses!
Brilliant Book/Toy.......2005-09-24
After returning from a visit to Dublin's wonderful doll house museum,we purchased this book for our 10 year old daughter. We were a bit nervous that this book may be too young for her, but found it much to the contrary, she absolutely loves the book and has enjoyed playing with it for hours.
three-dimensional victorian dollhouse.......2004-06-02
I bought this book for my 5 year old daughter. We travel often, and it is wonderful for long airport delays or downtime in the hotel room. The book is very sturdy and has wonderful details inside. The bonus-it allows her to use her imagination! Very easy to pack.
Pretty neat book.......2000-12-27
I got lucky and found this book in the children's section of mylocal large book retailer. (It was in the pop-up book section.) Youtie the front and back cover together and you get a paper 3ddollhouse. This is a GREAT gift for a young niece or neighbor whodoesn't have a dollhouse or who is crazy about them! I gave a bookvery similar to this years ago to my girl and she loved it. She stillhas it to this day. My only complaint about the book is that itdoesn't include any paperdolls with it. You might want to purchase aset of victorian paperdolls that fit the scale of this dollhousebefore you give it to the special little girl in your life.
Customer Reviews:
Another Upper Edmonton Gardens romp........2005-02-22
This latest in the Mrs. Jeffies series is another romp with the staff from Upper Edmonton Gardens. The book is light and fun, and the characters are still just as likeable. In this book though, their beloved Inspector Witherspoon is a suspect in a murder case. It's up to the staff to clear his name. And even though she knows he didn't commmit this terrible crime, Mrs. Jeffries knows that Inspector Witherspoon is keeping something from her. Lots of good, clean fun.
Could Inspector Witherspoon Commit Murder?.......2003-07-07
In the 8th book in the Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries series, the staff at Upper Edmonton Gardens has new motivation to help the Inspector solve another case. In this Victorian mystery, Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard is being framed...that is, someone is impersonating the Inspector, and a murder takes place! Since Inspector Witherspoon has a weak alibi for the time of the murder, he is taken off the case and his staff immediately jumps in to prove his innocence. Will they be able to prove that the Inspector did not commit the murder?
This book is like the previous books in the series in that the strength of the books comes mainly from the characters. I enjoy the growing relationships between the members of Inspector Witherspoon's staff and like seeing how they will avoid having the Inspector figure out that they are helping him. This case is a bit different because of the fact that the staff needs the Inspector's help, and I enjoyed his reaction when he sees how much his staff can do for him. The mystery was a bit easier to solve than some of the others, but it was still a quick, delightful read.
The first book in this series is "The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries". Enjoy!
Quick read.......2000-06-19
Very typical of the Mrs. Jeffries' books. This is a very fast read, very enjoyable. The solution was not a total surprise, but that's not really the point of these mysteries. The characters are well-drawn and fun to be with again.
Book Description
A child's "Upstairs, Downstairs," this thrilling journey back in time uses a special visual approach, with 100 full-color and 35 black-and-white photographs of authentic objects from the past, to bring the period to life. Discover how a wealthy Victorian family and their servants really lived--how they dressed, what they ate and the manner in which they entertained.
Customer Reviews:
Victorian details.......2000-07-09
This book details life for an upper middle class family in London about 1880. If your interest is in American life of the period, some of the details will be different, but the book is still very useful, and the illustrations, most of them photographs, are excellent. Some good information on the technology of housekeeping. Interestingly, the "Places to Visit" listed at the back are all in the U.S.
Excellent, colorful teacher's reference!.......1999-01-27
As a teacher, I feel that this book is an excellent demonstration of visual learning! This book displays everything from the layout of Victorian Houses to their clothes, servants, chores, social manners and etiquette, and customs. I recommend this book for any child interested in the time period or any teacher who has to teach it!
Average customer rating:
- some chapters difficult to understand
|
Child-Loving: The Erotic Child and Victorian Culture
James Kincaid
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Classics
| Comic
| Contemporary
| Literary
Victorian
| Erotica
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Criticism & Theory
| History & Criticism
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Victorian
| Movements & Periods
| History & Criticism
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Linguistics
| Words & Language
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Reference Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Romance Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Erotic Innocence: The Culture of Child Molesting
ASIN: 041591003X |
Book Description
The question ``What is a child?'' is at the heart of the world the Victorians made. Throughout the nineteenth century, there developed an image of the child as a symbol of purity, innocence, asexuality--the angelic child perhaps not wholly real. Yet at the same time, the child could be a figure of fantasy, obsession, and surpressed desires, as in the case of Lewis Carroll's Alice (or later, James Barrie's Peter Pan). This image of the child as both pure and strangely erotic is part of the mythology of Victorian culture.
Now available in paper, Child Loving traces for the first time the growth of the Victorian--and modern--conceptions of the body, the child, sexuality, and the stories we tell about them. Dealing with one of the most intimate and troubling notions of the modern period--how the Victorians (and we, their descendents) imagine children within the continuum of human sexuality--this work compels us to reconsider just how we love the children we love.
Customer Reviews:
some chapters difficult to understand.......2003-01-23
Many sentences are long, complex, and abstract.
By the time I get to the predicate, I've forgotten what the subject was.
You are welcome to read this book if you are a better reader than I am.
Book Description
Tierney captures the extravagant fashions worn from the 1860s through 1910. Carefully researched, accurately rendered illustrations depict opera capes, frock coats, trousers, top hats, and knitted swimwear for men. The ladies' styles include narrow-skirted walking suits, bathing outfits that completely cover the figure, and billowing bloomers for bicycling. 29 black-and-white illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
BEAUTIFUL.......2007-04-11
I just purchased these Dover COloring Books for my mother and she loves them. The detail is out of this world and the variety of colors you can use are only limited by your inagination. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Tierney did it again.......2007-02-12
This coloring book presents 29 fashion illustrations from 1863 to 1910, including wedding and coronation fashions of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, bathing outfits, women's undergarments, "Aesthetic Look" of Oscar Wilde, six outfits for children and many other.
The pages are thick enough for gentle watercoloring. Coloring Tierney's fashion illustrations is always a pleasure.
I enjoyed this book, but unlike many other Tierney's coloring books with 45 illustrations, this book offers only 29 illustrations for the same price.
However, if you are into this period and love coloring, I guess you wouldn't regret this purchase.
Late Victorian & Edwardian Fashions.......2006-02-28
Enjoy this book if you enjoy the studying the time period. High in detail, its enjoyable if you have the time and patience and care about what Tom Tierney has pulled together for this wonderful book. Really, I do recommend it to those who like and study historical fashion and history. I loved this book for all the above!
Average customer rating:
- Wonderful book
- Glorious Excess
- Victorian Fashions
|
Great Fashion Designs of the Victorian Era Paper Dolls in Full Color
Tom Tierney
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Activity Books
| Sports & Activities
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Accessories
| Formats
| Books
| Address Books
| Bible Covers
| Book Covers
| Calendars
| Church Supplies
| Journals
| Note Cards
| Photo Albums
| Postcards
| Writing Stationery
jp-unknown1
| Specialty Stores
| Books
General
| Art
| Arts & Photography
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Activity Books
| Sports & Activities
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Book Accessories
| Our Favorites
| Gift Ideas
| Address Books
| Bible Covers
| Book Covers
| Calendars
| Church Supplies
| Desk Accessories
| Journals
| Note Cards
| Photo Albums
| Postcards
| Writing Stationery
Similar Items:
-
Gibson Girls Paper Dolls in Full Color
-
Newport Fashions of the Gilded Age Paper Dolls
-
Fashions of the Regency Period Paper Dolls
-
Victorian Debutante Paper Doll
-
Southern Belles Paper Dolls in Full Color
ASIN: 0486255271 |
Book Description
Detailed, accurate renderings of 2 dolls, 28 costumes — Queen Victoria's wedding gown, evening dress by Worth, Dolly Varden walking suit, more.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful book.......2006-03-03
I love a lot of these books and when I add another one its such a treat..Once again..fine quality.good paper quality,fine coloring.I use them in paperdoll/altered art ,and decoupage.they are perfect for my needs..B.W.
Glorious Excess .......2005-07-20
Tom Tierney's illustrations cover a 60 year time span when what we would consider "too much", was never enough when it came to embellishing the clothing of a fashionable woman. As eye candy, this is excellent. As a reference, this book is very helpful in establishing the lines and silhouettes of the various decades. As always, the colors are brilliant and the styles are faithfully rendered.
The source of most of these illustrations are famous portraits, magazines of the day, and later photographs of fashionable women. Charles Frederick Worth started the practice of showing clothing on real people, as opposed to miniature costumes worn by fashion dolls, and his work is generously represented, along with a number of other designers, all of whom might have been overlooked by a lesser researcher than Mr. Tierney.
Since there are a multitude of refernces including printed and photographic material that cover the 1890s, I can understand why those fashions would merit an entire book of their own, so I am not troubled by the absence of the decade of the 1890s.
This book serves to provide an excellent overview of how womens' clothing evolved during the Victorian Era all the way up until 1900.
Victorian Fashions.......2005-04-15
The greater part of the nineteenth century women's fashion is covered by this book. One sees the charming bell skirts mutating into bustles and finally the hourglass figure. The colors are brilliant and the dolls are based on Queen Victoria and Empress Eugenie (although, for some unexplained reason, the latter doll has blonde hair even though Eugenie had dark hair).
I especially liked Tom Tierney's selection of a great variety of costumes, including sportswear, daywear, evening wear and ballgowns.
The one flaw with the book is that there is a sudden gap from 1888 to 1900. I think there was no need to feature 6 costumes from 1900 alone, while the entire 1890s were unrepresented.
Average customer rating:
|
Prose of the Victorian Period (Riverside Editions)
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
| Baby-3
| Ages 4-8
| Ages 9-12
| Audiobooks
| Animals
| Arts & Music
| Authors & Illustrators, A-Z
| Computers
| Educational
| History & Historical Fiction
| Issues
| Literature
| Obsessions
| People & Places
| Popular Characters
| Reference & Nonfiction
| Religions
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Series
| Sports & Activities
Classics
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Classics
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| British
| Chinese
| General
| German
| Greek
| Japanese
| Latin American
| Medieval
| Roman
| Russian
| Spanish & Portuguese
| United States
Victorian
| Movements & Periods
| History & Criticism
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Words & Language
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
19th Century
| England
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Arts & Photography
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Children's Books
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Literature & Fiction
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Reference
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Major Victorian Poets: Tennyson, Browning, Arnold. (Houghton-Mifflin Series in Statistics)
-
Victorian Poetry and Poetics
-
Aurora Leigh (Oxford World's Classics)
-
Unto This Last and Other Writings (Penguin Classics)
-
Far from the Madding Crowd (Signet Classics)
ASIN: 0395051282 |
Customer Reviews:
A great collection.......2000-06-12
This book is a wonderful collection of literature from the Victorian Period. The editors picked the best authors that demonstrate the what was being written during the Victorian period: Carlyle, Mill, Huxley, Ruskin, Arnold. In addition they chose a great collection of work that defines the literature of the Victorian period. Whether you are a student of Victorian literature or just a lover of the time, you'll enjoy this collection
Books:
- Between Worlds: The Making of an American Life
- Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West
- BodyMinder Workout and Exercise Journal (A Fitness Diary)
- Carnal Knowledge and Imperial Power: Race and the Intimate in Colonial Rule
- Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic
- Centennial Campaign: The Sioux War of 1876
- Check In; Check Out: Managing Hotel Operations (7th Edition)
- Chief Joseph & the Flight of the Nez Perce: The Untold Story of an American Tragedy
- ChiRunning
- Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church Is Transforming the Faith
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Serial Killer Files: The Who, What, Where, How, and Why of the World's Most Terrifying Murderers
- Mind and Heart of the Negotiator, The
- Biology: Principles and Perspectives
- Chiral Chromatography
- History: Fiction or Science
- Land and Natural Development
- How to Saute
- Analysing Architecture
- Bernard Maybeck: Visionary Architect
- Ruderal vegetation along some California roadsides
Daily Life in a Victorian House (Picture Puffin Books)
Beautiful Land: A Story of the Oklahoma Land Rush (Once Upon America)
Liberty
The Spanish-American War (Cornerstones of Freedom)
A Century of Immigration: 1820-1924 (Drama of American History)
