Illustrated by Susan Jeffers. 32 p., HarperCollins, 2004.
During World War II, William is too young to do war work like his parents, or even his older brother, who helps at a farm. But he often wins the war in his imagination. When Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands comes to stay in his town for a few months, he wants to visit her. He thinks she doesn't come to meet him because he's too young to do war work. Even when William helps his Dad pick blueberries, he wonders whether that could be considered war work somehow. Dad wisely tells him that picking blueberries is peace work, because eating blueberries makes people feel happy. This gives William an idea. He picks a basketful of blueberries, and in spite of his brother's teasing, takes them to the queen. He is allowed to give them to her himself, and she thanks him graciously. As a result of this experience, William comes to value his capacity for peace work. According to an afterword, this story is based on a real event in the author's life. This story works against children's sense of helplessness related to war by showing them a way to value their positive contributions.
Ages 4-8
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: European American
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