Her Muddy Majesty of Muck - by Beatrice Alemagna Hardcover

Book Synopsis

* Kirkus Reviews, starred review

From international picture book star Beatrice Alemagna comes an enchanting new fairy tale set in a mucky, magical underground world where the Mud Princess rules.

A little girl's too-big feelings spur a cathartic journey of adventure and discovery, in this picture book for kids ages 5-8, perfect for fans of Where the Wild Things Are.

Yuki is lost in a dark mood on her way home from school. In a flash of frustration, she tosses her house keys down an open manhole. When she climbs down to retrieve them, she discovers another world: Mudland.

The Mud Princess, an enormous dripping thing made of mud and sticks, greets Yuki and shows her the wonders of her kingdom. Yuki's dark mood is at home here--her sadness and anger fit right in. As they journey together, the Mud Princess becomes larger, absorbing the anger around her. Everything the princess touches becomes muddy, even Yuki. Yuki faces a choice--to become a Mud Princess herself or to return to the world above ground and its expectations.

As in her other picture books, Beatrice Alemagna explores children's feelings in a way that speaks to them directly. The Muddy Majesty of Muck explores anger and frustration with humor and brings us two unforgettable characters, the relatable Yuki and the strange and fascinating Mud Princess.

Review Quotes

★"In the best tradition of enlightening literary journeys, the duo pass through Wicked Woods, Lake Youbegone, and the Grumporium. Each setting is wondrous, the earthy palette incorporating shimmering blues and textured mixed-media patterns. Comic relief comes in various forms, among them the smelly, mean Boogers that trail after them. As she travels with Her Royal Muddiness, Yuki learns some profound truths about family and emotion: 'When people get angry, they take it out on the things they love.' Tenderness undergirds Yuki and Shen's ensuing reunion. Alemagna's narrative employs lovely alliteration, striking figurative language, subtle exchanges between characters, and delightful images to probe the siblings' complex emotions while allowing readers to discern meaning for themselves... An imaginative, deeply satisfying odyssey."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"(A) fantastical journey... (and) deeply empathic picture book.... (with) surreal mixed-media illustrations... Alemagna (Pepper and Me) uses fantasy not to escape negative feelings but to make them tangible--and offer hope that tangled wires can finally be smoothed."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Italian-born author and illustrator Beatrice Alemagna is the creator of more than 40 books that have been published in 25 countries. She has received numerous awards for her books, including three New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book Awards, a special prize at the Bologna Book Fair, and numerous nominations for the Astrid Lindgren Prize. She is the only illustrator to have twice won the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal.