Queen of the Falls

by Chris Van Allsburg

Hardcover, 2011

Status

Available

Collection

Picture books

Publication

Clarion Books (2011), Edition: Illustrated, 40 pages

Description

The story of Annie Edson Taylor, who in 1901 decided to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

User reviews

LibraryThing member Booklady123

From the inside flap:

"Why had so many people gathered to watch a barrel plunge over the waterfall? Wouldn't tons of water pouning onto the rocks below have simply broken it to pieces?

And yet there they stood, watching and waiting, holding their breath __ waiting, because they all knew the barrel

was not empty!

Come and meet the Queen of the Falls and witness with your own eyes her daring ride!

At the turn of the century, a retired charm school instructor named Annie Edson Taylor, seeking fame and furtune, decided to do soemthing that no one in the world had ever done before -- she would go over Niagrara Falls in a wooden barrel."

What I liked about the book: The illustrations of course. Van Allsburg is one of my favorite illustrators. His drawings are always magically realistic. This one is no exception. I like that it is a true story told in picture book format. Granted the text is longer than most picture books, but it is perfect for a quick introduction to biographies. It would also be good for sparking discussion on people stepping outside their expected roles. Who would ever expect an elderly charm school teacher to take on such an adventure, especially during the early 1900s?

What I didn't like about the book: I'm not sure it will truly appeal to children. Adults, especially teachers, are more likely to appreciate it than students. It's not a book I can envision children snatching off the shelf for an impulse read. They are more likely to read as part of an assignment.

Recommended for 4th grade and up.

Mrs. Archer's Rating: 4 of 5 (though as always, I would give Van Allsburg 5 for the illustrations)!

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12 more

LibraryThing member DebbieMcCauley

Annie Edson Taylor (1838-1921) decided to throw herself over the Niagra Falls in a barrel at the age of 62. A widowed and retired charm school instructor seeking fame and fortune she even designed the barrel herself. Unfortunately, due to her age, she didn’t become as celebrated or as rich as she

hoped! Sepia toned illustrations by the author reflect the historical time setting. On the last page is a black and white photograph of Annie along with her barrel, and an author’s note about her life. A list of successful ‘Barrel’ riders along with a bibliography complete the story. As an adult I found the story interesting. For a child I felt that the text was too long and I’m not sure which age it would appeal to.

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LibraryThing member srpeacock

The describes Annie Edson Taylor's daring adventure over the Niagara Falls in a barrel.

LibraryThing member kspannagel

This story is set in the early 19th century, with an older lady, Annie Edson Taylor. At 62 and retired, she decides to go over Niagra Falls in a barrel.

LibraryThing member debnance

It’s always disconcerting when a writer jumps genres, so to speak. Van Allsburg has always been the king of my heart for his amazing fantasy children’s picture books. I thought this would be yet another one, but, instead, Van Allsburg has decided to tell the true story of the first woman to go

over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

I’m not always happy when nonfiction writers try fiction or vice versa, but that did not happen this time; Van Allsburg told this story perfectly. His pictures, as always, are breathtaking. I was delighted with this book.

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LibraryThing member callmecayce

I hadn't actually heard of Annie Edson Taylor before and discovered this book while trying to see if van Allsburg had done anything new. Although it's a children's biography, the story is compelling and the drawings are fantastic, as usual. Annie Edson Taylor went over Niagara Falls in a barrel and

survived to tell the story, though most people didn't believe her because she was so old. I found the whole book touching and sweet, partly because of the writing and the story, but also through van Allsburg's fantastic drawings.

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LibraryThing member alyson

Well, I still don't understand how this woman went from teaching manners to children to deciding that going over Niagara Falls was a good way to make money - But I loved reading about her and enjoyed the great illustrations.

LibraryThing member Sullywriter

A departure from Van Allsburg's usual stories and the best work he has done in years. A great story about an unusual daredevil.

LibraryThing member dukefan86

Fascinating story, loved the accompanying Van Allsburg illustrations!

LibraryThing member HillaryBertucci

This book really made me laugh. The fact that she was so old and retired and went on this adventure made me think of what my life will be like when I'm that old. I'm not sure if I would use this in my classroom but it was definitely entertaining.

LibraryThing member Taranto

I discovered this book after wondering for many years if people really went over Niagra Falls in a barrel. Being a huge Chris Van Allsburg fan, I was even more excited when I found this awesome biography about the woman, Annie Edson Taylor, who went over Niagra Falls for the very first time in a

barrel. his book also opens up for much research, and we always watch the video of the Maid of the Mist, which is the boat ride visitors can take when at the Falls. Students will embrace this book and their imaginations will run wild upon discovering that Annie may have been the first, but she was not the last to go over the Falls in a barrel.

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LibraryThing member mhilary

This was a fun account of the person that went over Niagrar Falls. Annie Edson Taylor's idea that she would become rich and famous very much falls inline with how people today use technology to get known and become celebrities.

LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq

I'm giving this a 2.5 because I was very disappointed in the manner in which the story was told, it just didn't hold the excitement and quite frankly, I was bored.

In fact not even Van Allsburg's illustrations could save the story for me.

Sad......this is one Van Allsburg book that I will not be

purchasing for my collection.

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