Queen of the Falls

Not very many people have braved riding Niagara Falls – what a fearful idea!  But some have done it, and survived.  Perhaps none as interesting as Annie Edson Taylor.

In Queen of the Falls, Chris Van Allsburg tells Taylor’s story – what gave her the idea to go over the falls, how she accomplished it, and, perhaps most importantly, what happened after she accomplished her goal.

Taylor was an interesting character, and Van Allsburg brings her to life with his words and illustrations in this picture book.  What makes this book even more interesting is the Author’s Note at the end, with a picture of Taylor and her barrel, with a list of the other people who have dared to ride the falls.

But Annie Taylor was the Queen of them all.

Highly recommended for ages 4 – 10.