Miranda, Queen of Broken Toys

The message of this story--that there is value in things even if the world would call them "broken" or "imperfect--is so lovely. The illustrations are gorgeous too. They're so colorful and detailed and could definitely inspire great conversations with young readers.

The text, while readable and understandable, seems to be missing a natural flow or meter (maybe it was translated from another language?). Still, it's a sweet tale and would make a great read for pre-K and elementary students.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Have you ever watched Doc McStuffins with your child? There’s a 2-episode arc where Doc comes in contact with the king of the broken toys. Reading Miranda, Queen of Broken Toys reminded me of this.

It was interesting to see how my kids reacted to this story. Miranda, as a child, falls in love with broken toys and other kids stayed away from her. Eventually she moves away to a kingdom to where they all can live freely, until a boy who has lost his toy comes to see her.

The moral of the story is rooted in being broken does not necessarily mean it’s trash. Being broken can make you unique and still worthy of love.

My kids understood that already from Doc Mcstuffins. My son immediately began pointing out the similarities in their broken toys that they still love so much. My daughter made a great connection that I didn’t even catch when we read it all the way through. “Those kids weren’t being nice to Miranda. I’m glad she found a friend.” I love books that show me how big my kid’s hearts are.

This book is out now!

This is a story about a very special girl, Miranda. Miranda likes old and broken and misplaced toys. Other children loved new toys but not Miranda. Word spread through the years about this special person and all of her toys. One day a little boy named Paul came and knocked on her door. He had lost his favorite stuffed animal and thought she might have found it. They searched through all her toys and did not find it. Paul was getting a little upset so Miranda thought it was time for a snack. Bubbles and bear with no legs prepared a tea for them with tomato and cheese sandwiches and raspberry tea. Well Bubbles had a special skateboard to get around on and there was an accident and sandwiches and tea went everywhere! Well that made everyone giggle and belly laugh. So Paul decided that Bubbles should come home with him and Bubbles was ready for a new child. So home he went. After that Miranda became known far and wide and children started coming to visit and she was no longer lonely.
My favorite line of the book is at the end. "Miranda was not always a queen, and her kingdom really was not a normal kingdom. But then, what is normal, anyway?"
What is normal? A good lesson to teach little children.

Miranda is different as she likes broken toys. She thinks they need extra care and love. When a boy can’t find his missing toy, he remembers his grandma telling him about the queen of broken tots. He is going to find her. When he does, he tells her about his missing toy. Miranda finds it (there are a lot of toys) and the boy returns to his home. As more children find out that Miranda is real they go to see her and the broken toys.

This is a story about kindness. It’s about caring. The book is a sweet story that has wonderful illustrations and a sweet plot. Don’t miss reading it yourself besides the children in your life!