One day as I was rummaging around at a thrift store I came upon a book about a former lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette. It had been translated from French, and looked to be a gem. After reading it I knew it had to be made into a children’s picture book. It isn’t the typical 32 page book, but spans around 80 pages, as the story begged not to be lost on the chopping block.

EYES WIDE OPEN: The Exceptional Life of Madame Lucie

Have you ever wondered what it was like to grow up as little French girl destined to become a Lady-In-Waiting to Queen Marie Antoinette?  In this astounding but true Riches-to-Rags story Lucie faces life with courage when the French Revolution errupts, destroying her life of privilege and sending her scrambling for her life.

*Note: Slavery is alluded to briefly in the book, as regretfully it happened during those times. Thankfully she let her “help” go free when she moved. I hope I handled this topic with the respect that all people deserve.

Genre: Children’s Biography, Non-fiction, Women’s History

Topic: French Revolution, Court Life, Courage and Flexibility

Target Market: 8-12 year old girls

Further Study Ideas:

French Revolutionary history, King Louis XVI and his queen Marie Antoinette, Palace of Versailles, Tuileries Palace and Gardens, Louvre, french furniture, court life, carriages,18th century french clothing, education for girls during 18th century France, dances - minuet and gavotte, medicine and apothecary arts during 18th century, french cooking during 18th century, Theater and Opera during 18th century France, Assembly and New Constitution, abolishment of Feudal System, military, Storming of Bastille, Women’s March to Versailles of October 5, 1789, bread shortages, The Hague, The French Revolution and its prominent leaders, The Reign of Terror, guillotine, Cults of Goddess of Reason and Supreme Being, France’s Role supporting American Revolution (25 years earlier), Sea voyages during 18th century, Boston in 1795, Native Americans in New York, Shakers, American Farm Life, Beginnings of Abolishment of Slavery in America before turn of century to 1800, Spain around 1800, treasures of the Escorial, Eras of Directory, Consolate, First Empire, Restoration, Napoleon Bonaparte, History of Notre Dame, Letter Writing in 18th century