Just How Wicked Were History's Most Notorious Women? Girls Decide With New Goosebottom Books Series

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y., Nov. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  Goosebottom Books' new series, The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Dastardly Dames, profiles six women who wielded great power, from ancient Rome to twentieth-century China -- women who accumulated nicknames like "The Black Queen," and "The Dragon Empress." These rulers' crimes and misdeeds are legendary. But did they really happen? Kids learn about some of history's most notorious women and explore a very topical concern: the consequences of name-calling.

The series includes:

• Cleopatra "Serpent of the Nile" – She was the richest, most powerful woman in the world, who ensnared men with her cunning. But did Cleopatra deserve to be called the "Serpent of the Nile"?; written by Mary Fisk Pack; ISBN: 978-0-9834256-0-1
• Agrippina "Atrocious and Ferocious" – The sister, wife, and mother of Roman emperors, Agrippina was once revered as a goddess. How did she fall so low as to end her life "Atrocious and Ferocious"?; written by Shirin Yim Bridges; ISBN: 978-0-9834256-1-8  
• Mary Tudor "Bloody Mary" – Queen of England, Mary Tudor sought to save her country—by burning hundreds at the stake. Was she just a ruler of her times, or did she earn the name "Bloody Mary"?; written by Gretchen Maurer; ISBN: 978-0-9834256-2-5
• Catherine de' Medici "The Black Queen" – Queen of France, Catherine de' Medici would stop at nothing to keep her family in power. But was she responsible for the nation-wide killing spree that branded her "The Black Queen"?; written by Janie Havemeyer; ISBN: 978-0-9834256-3-2
• Marie Antoinette "Madame Deficit" – Although she probably never said "Let them eat cake," Marie Antoinette indulged while her people starved—earning herself the name, "Madame Deficit." But was she really heartless?; written by Liz Hockinson; ISBN: 978-0-9834256-4-9
• Cixi "The Dragon Empress" – The last empress of China, Cixi brought down not just a dynasty, but a whole system of government. Was she just out of touch, or the evil "Dragon Empress"?; written by Natasha Yim; ISBN: 978-0-9834256-5-6

Illustrator Peter Malone's paintings, along with prints, photos, maps, and historic artifacts, bring the rulers and their eras to life.  

Goosebottom Books is a new press that focuses on "fun non-fiction." Their previous series, The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses, won a silver medal at the Independent Publishers Book Awards. Learn more at http://goosebottombooks.com.

SOURCE Goosebottom Books