BIBLIOGRAPHY
de Haan, Linda, and Nijland Stern. 2002. KING AND KING. Tricycle Press. ISBN-10: 1582460612 ISBN-13: 978-1582460611
SUMMARY
The Queen decides that it is time for Prince Bertie to marry. The Queen wants to pass the throne to her son but the stipulation is, that he must marry before the end of summer. The problem is, the Prince doesn't like any of the princesses that are coming to visit. They come to visit from far away. The princess from Texas does magic tricks but it just isn't what Prince Bertie is looking for. One princess has long arms that will be perfect for waving. He can't find anyone that interests him until Princess Madeleine arrives. When she enters the room to meet the prince with her brother Prince Lee at her side, they both remark, "Oh, what a wonderful prince." A wedding is planned for Prince Bertie and Prince Lee. After the joyful wedding and picnic, the Queen retires to a life of leisure with her newly married son as King. The two Kings go off on a trip in a sequel of King and King and family.
The royal kitty makes an appearance through out the story.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
KING AND KING is an entertaining story with diverse characters. The book was written and illustrated by two Dutch authors from the Netherlands. It is considered controversial by some readers in the United States with it's homosexual theme. It is applauded by many for sharing the subject of gay marriage. The book shares the idea that everyone is different. It is OK to fall in love with anyone and be happy in whatever situation you find yourself.
The illustrations are very bright and colorful. They are busy collages with cut paper and fabric. The illustrations have a folk art appearance that adds flavor to the story of two princes in love. The style of the illustrations are unusual but join in the idea that acceptance of things that are different makes the book complete. The Queen is considered to be unattractive in the illustrations. It has been suggested that she resembles Queen Victoria. The crown kitty adds an extra bit of frivolity and fun. It is recommended for ages six and up.
REVIEWS
Publishers Weekly
When a grouchy queen tells her layabout son that it's time for him to marry, he sighs, "Very well, Mother.... I must say, though, I've never cared much for princesses." His young page winks. Several unsatisfactory bachelorettes visit the castle before "Princess Madeleine and her brother, Prince Lee" appear in the doorway. The hero is smitten at once. "What a wonderful prince!" he and Prince Lee both exclaim, as a shower of tiny Valentine hearts flutters between them. First-time co-authors and artists de Hann and Nijland matter-of-factly conclude with the royal wedding of "King and King," the page boy's blushing romance with the leftover princess and the assurance that "everyone lives happily ever after." Unfortunately, the multimedia collages are cluttered with clashing colors, amorphous paper shapes, scribbles of ink and bleary brushstrokes; the characters' features are indistinct and sometimes ugly. Despite its gleeful disruption of the boy-meets-girl formula, this alterna-tale is not the fairest of them all. For a visually appealing and more nuanced treatment of diversity in general, Kitty Crowther's recent Jack and Jim is a better choice. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
School Library Journal
Grades 3-5--In this postmodern fractured fairy tale, a worn-out and badly beleaguered Queen is ready for retirement. After many hours of nagging, the crown prince, who "never cared much for princesses," finally caves in and agrees to wed in order to ascend the throne. Their search for a suitable bride extends far and wide, but none of the eligible princesses strikes the Prince's fancy, until Princess Madeleine shows up. The Prince is immediately smitten- with her brother, Prince Lee. The wedding is "very special," the Queen settles down on a chaise lounge in the sun, and everyone lives happily ever after. Originally published in the Netherlands, this is a commendable fledgling effort with good intentions toward its subject matter. Unfortunately, though, the book is hobbled by thin characterization and ugly artwork; the homosexual prince comes across as fragile and languid, while the dour, matronly queen is a dead ringer for England's Victoria at her aesthetic worst. Some of the details in the artwork are interesting, including the "crown kitty" performing antics in the periphery. However, that isn't enough to compensate for page after page of cluttered, disjointed, ill-conceived art. The book does present same-sex marriage as a viable, acceptable way of life within an immediately recognizable narrative form, the fairy tale. However, those looking for picture books about alternative lifestyles may want to keep looking for a barrier-breaking classic on the subject.Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SCCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
CONNECTIONS
*Other books for children that share an alternative lifestyle
Newman,Leslea. 2000. Heather Has Two Mommies. Diana Souza Illustrator
Alyson Publications; 10 Anv edition ISBN-10: 1555835430 ISBN-13: 978-1555835439
Parr, Todd. 2003. The Family Book. Little, Brown Young Readers; 1st ed edition ISBN-10: 0316738964 ISBN-13: 978-0316738965
Skutch, Robert. 1997. Who's in a Family?. Laura Nienhaus, Illustrator. Tricycle Press. ISBN-10: 188367266X ISBN-13: 978-1883672669
And Tango Makes Three Peter Parnell. Justin Richardson. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (April 26, 2005) ISBN-10: 0689878451 ISBN-13: 978-0689878459
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