From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2–The star of Queen of Christmas (2003) and Queen of the Class (2004, both HarperCollins) is back for one of her favorite holidays. Ann Estelle's class is decorating boxes to hold their valentines, and she does not want hers to be ordinary. She gets so involved in making her box unique that she forgets to make cards for her classmates. Panicked at the last minute, Ann Estelle starts giving away pieces of her prized creation–a flower to Gracie, feathers to Audrey Ann, a ribbon for Mrs. McGilligan's hair. At the end of the day, her box is plain again but filled with valentines from her friends. The story is a bit flat, but the illustrations are classic Engelbreit–patchy and full of doodles of color, patterns, hearts, and flowers–and will appeal to crafty children and Ann Estelle fans.–Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Description

Making the best valentine box ever for her favorite holiday is Ann Estelle's newest school project.

It will have glitter, lace, feathers, and even wheels! There's just one thing that Ann Estelle has forgotten -- what could that be?

Valentine's Day will be your favorite holiday, too, when you enjoy this delightful tale with Ann Estelle and her friends as lovingly imagined by best-selling artist Mary Engelbreit.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Making the best valentine box ever for her favorite holiday is Ann Estelle's newest school project.

It will have glitter, lace, feathers, and even wheels! There's just one thing that Ann Estelle has forgotten -- what could that be?

Valentine's Day will be your favorite holiday, too, when you enjoy this delightful tale with Ann Estelle and her friends as lovingly imagined by best-selling artist Mary Engelbreit.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Sharon Salluzzo

Ann Estelle loved to make things, and therefore Valentine's Day was one of her favorite holidays. At school she made the most beautiful box for collecting valentines. All her classmates talked about the ribbons, feathers and flowers and even small cars she used to create her masterpiece. There was just one problem. She had worked so hard on the box that she forgot to make valentines for her classmates. Ann Estelle cleverly solves the problem by handing out the parts of her card box that her friends and teacher liked best. Borders of cut paper hearts run along the top of the pages while borders of the items Ann Estelle uses run along the bottom. Ann Estelle's multicultural classmates are dressed in their finest for this happy holiday. It is obvious that Engelbreit likes busy borders. However, they seem appropriate in this story of a little girl who decorates her valentine's card box in an over-the-top way. Although the cover is overly-busy, inside there is enough white space on each page to be able to focus on the children and the story. Purchase if you are in need of an additional title for the holiday collection. 2005, HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 7.

Kirkus Reviews