From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7–A beautiful book from cover to cover. A portrait of Princess Njinga (of Matamba c. 1582-1663) graces the cover of the volume, representing the qualities of strength, pride, and conviction that the six royal women profiled in this title possessed. Hansen's introduction addresses the varied nature of the continent's land and people and informs readers that the six "…princesses and queens whose stories are told in this book give us views of Africa we do not often see." The map of the continent that faces this introduction features small portraits of each person positioned over the area in which she lived and ruled. Each chapter covers the life and times of one leader from Hatshepsut (c. 1497-1457 B.C.) to Elizabeth of Toro (1940-), and opens with a stunning, full-page portrait. In addition, there are quality reproductions of artwork and photos of artifacts, sites, and individuals. In the early profiles, the author sometimes shares what she imagines the women might have thought or felt given the time or circumstance. Chapters on later individuals include a few quotes. Captions and occasional sidebars add additional information. These intelligent and dedicated women all overcame obstacles, took risks, and often challenged the status quo. Their stories will provide inspiration to all readers.–Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Booklist
Gr. 4-8. The history is compelling in this collective picture-book biography of six highly successful African women--warriors, builders, businesswomen, and administrators--whose exciting personal stories show the rich diversity of the continent and celebrate their achievements during times when most women had little power. From Hatshepsut of ancient Egypt and Amina of sixteenth-century Zaria (now part of Nigeria) to contemporary Princess Elizabeth of Toro, a Ugandan lawyer, model, foreign minister, and U.N. ambassador, Hansen's lively, well-researched accounts bring close each woman's struggle and place it within the context of her country's changing politics and culture. The spacious book design is inviting: the paper is thick and glossy, the type is small but clear, and attractive geometric designs border the pages. The six full-page artist renderings of the women are glamorized, but there are also plenty of fully captioned historic prints and photos of carvings and artifacts. Hansen is always careful to distinguish fact from surmise, and her research will stimulate readers to find out more. Unfortunately, the bibliography is very brief, and there's no further documentation, even for direct quotes. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
What was it like to live as a queen in ancient Egypt, or as an Amazon warrior in western Africa? African Princess tells the stories of six remarkable royal women and the eras in which they lived, from 1473 B.C. to the present. Some lived in great luxury; others lived in exile as freedom fighters. The rise of the slave trade and the arrival of European colonists unsettled the entire continent and forced rulers to find ways to govern and protect their kingdoms. Consequently, many of these royal women ruled in extremely difficult times, marked by palace intrigue, foreign invasion, and harrowing adventure.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

What was it like to live as a queen in ancient Egypt, or as an Amazon warrior in western Africa? African Princess tells the stories of six remarkable royal women and the eras in which they lived, from 1473 B.C. to the present. Some lived in great luxury; others lived in exile as freedom fighters. The rise of the slave trade and the arrival of European colonists unsettled the entire continent and forced rulers to find ways to govern and protect their kingdoms. Consequently, many of these royal women ruled in extremely difficult times, marked by palace intrigue, foreign invasion, and harrowing adventure.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

World history and its major players feature in fall nonfiction titles. Joyce Hansen details the lives of a half-dozen prominent women in African Princess: The Amazing Lives of Africa's Royal Women, illus. by Laurie McGraw: the Egyptian Hatshepsut and the modern Elizabeth of Toro, among others. Hansen investigates these women's struggles-invading Portuguese forces in the 15th century, in the case of Njinga of Matamba, and the 19th-century ascent of Tata Ajach of Dahomey, from slave and warrior to queen. McGraw contributes full-page stately portraits of each woman, and the text brims with photos of artifacts plus period drawings. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Carolyn Mott Ford

Six stories of slavery, warfare and cunning as well as character, daring, and beauty are told in this book about six unusual women. The first is Hatshepsut of Egypt who, it is believed, reigned for about fifteen years, taking power in 1479. As pharaoh she oversaw the building of grand monuments and temples. Amina of Zaria ruled the country of Zazzau, or Zaria, as queen for about thirty years beginning in 1576. Njinga of Matamba's father was a prince, but her mother had been a slave of the royal family. Nonetheless, the princess took over the throne at the age of forty-two and built up the army to attack Portuguese and African slave traders. The story of an Amazon warrior who had been a slave and was later given the title of queen is included as well as the travails and successes of Princess Taytu Betul of Ethiopia. The final chapter tells of a contemporary princess, Princess Elizabeth of Toro. She is a descendent of Ugandan royalty. She was the first female lawyer in Uganda and later became a popular fashion model in the west. Upon her return to Uganda, she was appointed a roving ambassador and later minister of foreign affairs, retiring in 1988 to work with The Batebe of Toro Foundation. The stories are well written but, of necessity, much of the information presented is conjecture. 2004, Jump at the Sun/Hyperion/Madison Press, Ages 8 to 12.

School Library Journal