Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria

Written by Kyra E. Hicks
Illustrated by Lee Edward Födi

Published by Brown Books Publishing
Picture book forages 4 and up.
ISBN: 978-098247968

After years of teasing Martha Ann and laughing at her impossible dream, the townspeople watched in amazement as 76-year-old Martha Ann, holding her quilt, boarded a ship to England.

This is the true story of Martha Ann Ricks, an ex-slave who spent fifty years saving spare coins to fulfill her dream of meeting the Queen of England. Martha Ann is twelve years old when Papa finally saves enough money to purchase her freedom from slavery. In 1830, the family leaves east Tennessee to begin a new life in Liberia. On market days, Martha Ann watches the British navy patrolling the Liberian coast to stop slave catchers from kidnapping her family and friends and forcing them back into slavery. Martha Ann decides to thank Queen Victoria in person for sending the navy. But first, she must determine how to make the 3,500-mile voyage to England, find a suitable gift for the Queen, and withstand the ridicule of family and friends who learn of her impossible dream.