The Long White Scarf

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

One day, long ago, the Princess Victoria and her mother were riding
through the streets of London in an open carriage when suddenly a
capricious breeze tore the princess’s favourite white silky scarf
embroidered with the letter “V” from around her neck and carried it
away.

Thus begins The Long White Scarf. The story follows the scarf’s
adventures over many years and through a succession of owners, from
young Beth, to her brother William (who wears the scarf into battle as a
talisman), to other members of Beth’s family. Years later when the
scarf is once again blown away, it is picked up and offered for sale by
the owner of a curiosity shop. By a strange and unusual set of
circumstances, it is purchased and eventually returned to its original
owner, now Queen Victoria.

Though the reader of this fanciful tale might indeed wish that it were
true, it is, in fact, fiction. We are told in a historical note that the
story was inspired by the eight scarves crocheted by Queen Victoria and
presented to eight soldiers who distinguished themselves in battle
during the Boer War. Those scarves were known as “The Queen’s Scarf
of Honour.”

The formal design of the book—full-colour illustrations complete with
frames or borders facing each page of text—reflects the era portrayed.
David Craig’s stunning oil paintings, so richly detailed, provide a
glimpse of Victorian life. His illustration of the Battle of Balaclava
with its accompanying cameo is especially noteworthy. Together, Maxine
Trottier and David Craig make history come alive. Highly recommended.