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There are several things I like about Star Wars Episode I: Queen Amidala Paper Doll Book. First, Joyce Patti's art is just right for paper dolls: not too complicated, but of good quality. Queen Amidala Paper Doll Book gives the feel of Queen Amidala's wardrobe in a way well-suited to children.

Second, what science fiction fan could oppose a book that fosters appreciation of the genre in young children? Already, my daughter is asking me about the various Star Wars characters, which seems to have started when she got this book. Though science fiction has gained much mainstream popularity thanks to such movies and television programs as Star Wars, Star Trek, and The X-Files, I think there are still too many teens and adults biased against speculative fiction. Perhaps if they had been introduced to it earlier, they would enjoy it now, or at least not be so critical of those who do.

Third, as far as outfits go, Queen Amidala has a fantastic collection that simply lends itself to a paper doll set. If we can have paper dolls of Venus and David, who don't have any original clothes to speak of, then why not Naboo's queen?

Queen Amidala Paper Doll Book contains one doll in a night dress, with her trademark lower lip stripe. The book comes with eight of the young queen's costumes, mostly in the order she wore them in Star Wars: Episode I, complete with her exotic, royal Naboo hair-dos, and the outfit she wore during the palace raid.

In addition, Queen Amidala is, I believe, a good role model for young girls. She's smart, brave, trustworthy, willing to stand up for what she believes, and has integrity. Within the pages are many pictures of her from Star Wars: Episode I. The book also contains a backdrop of a room in the royal palace of Theed.

Clearly, this book is not for everyone, not even for all Star Wars fans. It has a niche however, which it fills well. Queen Amidala Paper Doll Book should be fun for anyone who likes paper dolls, whether a Star Wars fan or not.

Jonathan Fesmire has travelled to France, Germany, Estonia, Finland, and Ireland. He enjoys speaking French and learning bits of other foreign languages, but most of all, he loves writing, and has sold fiction to Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine, SpaceWays Weekly, Jackhammer, and others.