One of my new favourites, Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas is a lovingly told tale about Elizabeth the elephant seal, who swims down Christchurch’s Avon River and refuses to give this up as her home, despite several interventions by well-meaning humans.
I’m liking
This is a slice of New Zealand’s history that is perhaps widely unknown. The events make a charming picture book, and I am glad the story has been told to a new generation.
Author Lynne Cox is an American and a record-breaking swimmer. Some years ago she visited NZ with the purpose of swimming across three South Island lakes, and during her stay she heard of Elizabeth and the seal’s fondness for her chosen spot to abide in the Avon River. She kept this story with her over the past decades, and knew that one day it would find its home on the pages of a picture book.
The watercolour illustrations by Brian Floca are soft and beautiful; Elizabeth is expressive and happy. The text is very easy to read, flows well and offers a great ending.
Things that made me go hmmmm
There is a little bit of factual information about elephant seals on the last page – but what I would have loved is perhaps some newspaper clippings from the actual events, or even a rough timeline as to what actually occurred. I’m left wondering how much is factual from the story, although I assume most of it is real – the book suggests the story is based off the account of two children encountered on the shores of the Avon some decades ago.
The conclusion
The word charming really does sum up this book. It’s a great read and I recommend it – 4-8 year olds are the target audience, but my 2.5 year old will happily sit through it and is quite taken with the events.
Elizabeth, Queen of the seas is published by Random House and the hardcover edition has an RRP of $29.99.
