Queen Mariella and the Fable of the Peony  by Dr James P Menconi

The story of “Queen Mariella and the Fable of the Peony” is fictionalized tale of how ants help peonies blossom to be one of the prettiest and fullest flowers in the garden to herald the coming of spring. The text is written at a fourth-grade readability (Frye’s Readability) yet uses some challenging words to advance the young intermediate students’ vocabulary. Use of Spanish words in the text introduces readers to a bi-cultural, bilingual world we all need to learn to appreciate. Consequently, it would be great for bilingual or bi-cultural experiences. Another goal of the text is to help children better understand the value of character education and the importance of a nurturing love for one another and to be courageous enough to stand up for it. Its colorful pictures of flowers also introduce children to the world of gardening.