This book show young girls that they can excel in any kind of sports they want to participate in with confidence. ( )

A young, confident, African-American girl explains why she is the queen of the playground scene. The sassy protagonist models values of positive self-image and self worth and encourages young readers, “So girl, take pride – Even if at first you fall, keep giving it another try. The queen in you walks tall.” As would be expected from an author who is the First Lady of Hip-Hop, Queen Latifah composed the text to read like a rap with mostly rhyming verses. A bonus that children will love – a CD accompanies the book, with a 2 ½ minute track of the author herself narrating the story. The main character’s attitude is echoed through the quality of the illustrations that are bright, bold, and full of energy and movement. Ages 4-8 will enjoy this upbeat and rhythmic empowerment story. ( )

I have been reading a lot of picture books lately. I mean, A LOT. I work in the children's department of a library and my current project is weeding the picture books. So I have been getting acclimated to them as I am usually more of a YA reader. I am using this book as my outlet for a lot of the books I've been reading lately in that the rating system just doesn't work for me. Sometimes, I will come across a book that is an outstanding story but the illustrations are Just. So. Bad. Or the reverse of that and the illustrator is a genius in gouache but the writer makes me sleepy or aggravated or whatever. In this case, I think the illustrations were brilliant and appropriate. But, and this pains me because I LOVE Queen Latifah, the writing left me cold. The rhyme scheme was horribly off sometimes and when it seemed like maybe she was wrapping up the story, OH NO! We are jumping right back in. I couldn't really get into the groove of it though the message was lovely and hizzah girl empowerment. And I think great picture books for African American girl empowerment get even more of a HIZZAH. So while I would have given the illustrations a full 5 stars, disappointinly I only bestow the big QL 2 1/2 for her writing. ( )

This ruler of the playground has got game. B-ball, stickball, jump rope, soccer—there's nothing she won't try. And watch out, boys, because she's representing all the girls, and the Queen has girl power to the max!