The Queen in the Cave is Magnificent
We read tons of picture books in our house - both for professional and personal reasons. Our kids are currently 6 and 9, and reading has been a part of our bedtime routine for their entire lives. I’m constantly on the lookout for new books I think we’d like, and we also receive a package of books several times a week for Dad Suggests.
I personally don’t want to review books that we don’t enjoy, so I pre-approve books that come our way. But, of course, even among all the books that we buy, and all of those enjoyable, pre-approved books coming in the mail, there are still some picture books that stand out among the rest.
When that happens, I bookmark them for our favorites of the year. In my experience, bookmarking our favorite books for the Dad Suggests Picture Book Awards every year is not difficult at all. If a book leaves a lasting impression on the family it’s easy to tell. The best picture books of the year feel different, and by the end of each year we typically have a list of about 30 contenders.
But I also know pretty much right away, even among our favorite picture books of the year, which ones are destined for the top 5 in our yearly picture book awards. That’s because, very consistently, year after year, there are about 3 or 4 books that truly knock our socks off. 3 or 4 books that could legitimately be in the conversation for our all-time favorites. 3 or 4 books that feel like bona fide masterpieces.
The Queen in the Cave is one of those picture books. Júlia Sardà has created a special picture book that leaves a very lasting impression. It features 3 sisters who sneak out of their house to go on a progressively-more-fantastical adventure. It’s imaginative, it’s spooky, it’s endearing, and it’s deeply meaningful.
And it’s all of those things without even yet mentioning Sardà’s incredible illustrations. Our introduction to her art was through the very impressive Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein - which truly stands out because of her masterful and spooky talents. That wonderful book is part of the reason we put in our pre-order for The Queen in the Cave so early, and this new release has completely smashed my expectations.
The 3 sisters in this story are named Franca, Carmela, and Tomasina. And Franca, the oldest sister, leads them on an adventure. She tells them she had a dream about a queen who lives in a cave, deep in the forest, beyond the garden fence. And she thinks they should go and find her. And, quite frankly, this setup alone is masterful. Before absolutely anything has happened, we have endearing characters going on a very fantastic-sounding adventure, and I am here for it.
And, even though the adventure hasn’t begun yet, that most certainly doesn’t mean that we aren’t engaged from the very first page. Júlia Sardà’s art is on another level, and it’s full of incredible detail. That detail is certainly amplified as the adventure gets wilder - but it’s there from the very first pages as well. The toys on the wall are quirky and grotesque, and there are interesting knickknacks in every corner. Even the elaborate patterns on the quilts and rugs add to the quirkiness and joy. it’s definitely the type of book that’s fun to flip through very slowly, particularly when the strange creatures start to appear.
And it isn’t just me who finds this book engaging. Both my 6-year-old and my 9-year-old sat by side and listened to every word of our first reading. And, as much as I hate to admit it, that isn’t as common as it used to be. My 9-year-old and I read a lot of chapter books and graphic novels together, and my 6-year-old is prone to wander off to make sure Mom is still in the house. So believe me, the engagement this wonderful book offers was not lost on me. They asked questions, made predictions, and pointed at their favorite pictures, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
Shortly after the 3 sisters climb over the garden fence and into the forest, they begin to encounter some very strange creatures. At first they’re more on the quirky and imaginative side - a pipe-smoking frog who carries Franca in a giant flower is perhaps my favorite, or perhaps the snail with the face of a rabbit. But, soon after this, things take a spookier turn, culminating in a meeting with the queen herself. Even my 9-year-old readily admits that a few of the pages leave a lasting, creepy impression.
The Queen in the Cave is obviously a story for fans of classic fantasy and adventure. Like The Chronicles of Narnia - the mere concept of crossing a threshold into a fantasy world is enough to spark the imaginations of kids everywhere. But it’s also a very meaningful story, and a very beautiful metaphor for growing up.
There’s actually a good clue for this on the dedication page, where Sardà writes, “To the endless summers with my cousins, before the strangeness began.” Franca, the oldest sister, begins the story with a strange feeling, and this is what leads her on this exciting journey of self-discovery.
Without spoiling too much, there’s a moment where Franca leaves her sisters behind entirely. Metaphorically it’s a bit heartbreaking, while literally-taken it’s a bit spooky. And I truly appreciate how the middle sister, Carmela, is a bit torn about which way to go - not as grown as Franca but not as innocent as Tomasina. The 3 sisters represent the stages all kids go through, and in them you can see your own children growing up before your eyes, and perhaps remember what that was like yourself.
Dwelling on the meaning of the book can actually be quite sad in a way. Growing up can be strange and spooky. And for younger siblings it can be heartbreaking when their brothers and sisters grow up and cross that veil into another world - with completely new interests and priorities. But that doesn’t mean it’s all tragedy of course.
Much like us parents who try to nurture our children’s imaginations and provide them with as much childhood wonder as possible while we can - Franca climbs back into bed with her sisters by the end of the book, gives her sister a gift, and falls asleep with her arm wrapped around her. Almost a motherly figure now, it’s encouraging to see Franca showing this love for her sisters still.
Carmela, for her part, is very happy that they’re all together again - at least for the time being - and the book ends with the 3 sisters sleeping in the same bed. And that’s another one of those sneaky heartbreaking moments. I can’t help but think of my own family all piled into the same bed, and wonder about the last precious time that will actually take place.
The Queen in the Cave is going to be one of the best picture books of 2022. It’s a beautiful coming-of-age story with mesmerizing illustrations. It basically checks all of our boxes with whimsy, spookiness, fantasy, and heart. And I personally hope it’s one of the picture books my kids always remember.
Shop for The Queen in the Cave at your favorite bookstore.
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Have you gotten your hands on The Queen in the Cave yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
