Perfect Picture Book Friday: CACTUS QUEEN: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park Plus CRITIQUE or AMA Zoom GIVEAWAY

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I’m so glad that March is a long month…31 days…because it’s also Women’s History Month and we’ve been celebrating picture books that feature extraordinary female characters. I’m so excited to share this brand-new book from Lori Alexander and Jen Ely: CACTUS QUEEN: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park. And the lovely Lori, knowing how busy I’ve been with #50PreciousWords, kindly stopped by to share the following information with us – and I just had to add the craft activity. And make sure you hang around to the end of the post and leave a comment because Lori is offering a super amazing giveaway: Winner’s choice of a Picture Book Critique or an Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat. WELCOME to Lori!!!

Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park

Written by Lori Alexander

Art by Jenn Ely

Published by Calkins Creek/Astra BYR

Ages: 7-10

Themes: Women’s Biography, Environment, Determination

LORI: Discovering a lesser-known historical figure can be quite a treat for a nonfiction picture book author. When I learned about Minerva Hoyt’s unusual means to garner attention for her cause—protecting her favorite spot, the Joshua tree region of the Mojave desert—I knew this was a story kids would love.

In the early 1900s, this area was being destroyed by construction, harvesting, arson, and general carelessness. Minerva’s methods to combat the damage included trains, planes, automobiles, flower shows, scrapbooking, a letter writing campaign, and ultimately delivering her message all the way to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Very impressive, as this was a time when not everyone was open to hearing what a woman had to say.

This story is also meaningful to me as I visited Joshua Tree National Park as a child, which wasn’t too far from my home in San Diego, CA. Now I live with my own family in another desert—the Sonora desert of Tucson, AZ. The issues of conservation that Minerva addressed are still relevant to us today. The back matter in CACTUS QUEEN gives additional resources and tips for the next generation of environmentalists. I hope you enjoy reading about mighty Minerva!

WOW! That was fascinating. We always love to hear the story behind the story.
And here’s a little bit about Lori and links for you to connect with her and buy her books:
In addition to picture books, LORI ALEXANDER writes chapter books about the fascinating history of science and medicine. She won a Sibert Honor Award for All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World, and A Sporting Chance: How Ludwig Guttmann Created the Paralympic Games was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book. Her recent release, What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister?: The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Lori resides in Tucson, Arizona, with her scientist husband and two book-loving teens. lorialexanderbooks.com
Lori occasionally posts to IG: @lorialexanderbooks or Twitter: @LoriJAlexander
Peek into or purchase CACTUS QUEEN here.

Lori is offering a picture book critique OR a 20-minute “Ask-Me-Anything” Zoom to one lucky commenter!

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Cactus Crafts

Photo courtesy: https://funcraftskids.com/10-cactus-crafts-to-delight/

For detailed instructions on any of these cactus crafts: https://funcraftskids.com/10-cactus-crafts-to-delight/

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend…please remember to leave a comment and share widely on social media for a chance to WIN the awesome giveaway – an opportunity for a critique or chat with Lori Alexander!

70 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday: CACTUS QUEEN: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park Plus CRITIQUE or AMA Zoom GIVEAWAY”

  2. This book looks wonderful, I want to read it! We just visited the Saguaro NP, a few weeks ago, my first time there seeing all the amazing cacti. And thank you Lori for sharing the back story to Cactus Queen, Minerva Hoyt, a very inspiring person, ahead of her time, and lucky for us she made a difference in our world.

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    • Good eye, Robin. I like to tell kids at school visits that none of the dialog in my nonfiction books is made up. The quotes were all things the historical figure either said or wrote and are verified by sources (and my eagle-eyed editor & copy editor!).

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  9. it’s nice to know the history of a park which we have hiked! I’m looking forward to reading of a park which we have hiked! I’m looking forward to reading this one!

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  13. My husband and I hiked in Joshua tree in December. This was such a treat for us as we live on the East Coast. Thank you for bringing the story of Minerva Hoyt to all nonfiction lovers! I can’t wait to read your story and share it with others. Thank you Vivian and Lori!

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  15. I recall rock climbing (with no ropes, what was I thinking?) in Joshua Tree Park back in my college days. Beautiful, unique place. So thankful you wrote this book. I am excited to read it.

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  16. Joshua Tree has long been on my travel wish list. Glad I have the chance to read about Minerva Hoyt before I get there…someday! Can’t wait!

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    • Hi Cathy! Yes, you have to check it out (spring or fall are great times to visit…we went end of May last time and it was already getting pretty hot). You’ll love Minerva’s story (and Jenn Ely’s beautiful illustrations!)

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    • Aren’t these crafts the cutest? There’s just something about a tiny cactus with a tiny smile that melts my heart. Hope you enjoy reading about the woman behind Joshua Tree NP!

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  18. I visited Joshua Tree as a child and worked in Yellowstone one summer in college. Our national parks are a treasure and I’m grateful for people like Minerva Hoyt working to protect them and for you for sharing her inspirational story! I look forward to reading Cactus Queen!

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  19. Unlike many picture book bios that begin with the subject as a child, this one, supported by wonderful illustrations, apparently does not…and sounds ‘just right’! Looking forward to reading it and recommending, especially to lovers of our beloved national parks! Well done, Lori!

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    • Great observation! I like to begin with a pivotal scene to hook readers, then I usually flip back to childhood for just a page or two, so see how the historical figure’s youth informed their future. It’s all a delicate balance! The illustrations are gorgeous…hope you enjoy!

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