The Queen's Necklace: A Swedish Folktale

Written by Jane Langton
Illustrated by Isle Plume

Grade:

2-4

ISBN-13:

978-0786800117

Publisher:

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (1994)

This traditional Swedish folktale tells of greed and cruelty being punished, while generosity and kindness are rewarded. A selfish and tyrannical king takes a kindhearted maiden for his wife and gives her a prized pearl necklace to wear. Warned that death awaits her if she loses the necklace, the maiden, Blanzeflor, slowly gives each pearl away to the poor in her kingdom. In response, the king sentences her to death, but on the morning of her execution, the birds that she has cared for come to her aid. Colorful illustrations grace the pages of this folktale about courage, kindness, and gratitude.