This Saturday 6th May 2023 is the coronation of King Charles III. My eldest daughter and her friends at school can’t stop talking about it. I have been amazed by the wonderful children’s books that have been published in time for the coronation. Here are my top picks!
Winnie-the-Pooh Meets the King by Disney and Jane Riordan
This is book has “classic” written all over it. When Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends go on an expedition to a Royal London Park they don’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a royal Coronation!
Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet lose Eeyore in the crowd and must come up with a plan to find their friend. Little do they know they’ll soon meet the King!
The illustrations are simply gorgeous and show all the iconic landmarks in London. My daughter absolutely loved it, recalling places we’ve seen on trips to London. This will make the most amazing keepsake to honour the historic coronation of King Charles III and is definitely my top coronation pick!
Published by Farshore, 13 April 2023
ISBN: 978-0008606893
Mr Men Little Miss: The New King by Adam Hargreaves
Another classic picture book series of all time is Mr Men and Little Miss, so it’s only fitting to have a coronation special!
The new king is visiting the Mr Men and Little Miss on his royal tour and everyone is very excited. In Happyland, Mr Happy and Little Miss Sunshine have planted a special flower display, while in Loudland, Mr Noisy and his band have been practising day and night! But will everything go to plan and what will be in store for the new king in Nonsenseland?!
My daughters are a huge fan of the Mr Men and Little Miss series, including the more recent publications on mental health themes (stay tuned for reviews soon!). So, this was a lovely treat to add to the excitement of the King’s Coronation and will be a lovely keepsake.
Published by Farshore, 13 April 2023
ISBN: 978-0008607005
Little People, BIG DREAMS: King Charles by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Matt Hunt
For those of you that read my blog regularly, you’ll know I am a massive fan of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series, and it was no surprise to me at all that they have created a wonderful title to celebrate King Charles.
We see Charles as a little boy, already aware that one day he will be king. Then we learn about all the things he has campaigned for during his time as The Prince of Wales, including climate change and his charitable work for The Prince’s Trust. As we prepare for his coronation, this biography is a brilliant way for children to get to know the man beneath the crown.
This accessible biography of King Charles is perfect for children age 3+. My three- and five-year-old loved reading it with me!
Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 6 April 2023
ISBN: 978-0711286689
Amazing Facts King Charles III
If you’re looking for a book for children who have moved on from picture books to early readers and chapter books then look no further! This fun illustrated children’s book is packed with stories and trivia about King Charles, the royal family and Coronation Day
To give you a taste… Did you know?
- Charles is passionate about the environment.
- He was the first royal to go to school.
- Charles once played the cello on TV.
- He has a tropical tree frog named after him.
I have learned so much from this book and I can imagine children hosting mini quizzes on over the Coronation bank holiday weekend! This would be a great gift for children age 7+
Published by Red Shed, 2 March 2023
ISBN: 978-0008612146
HM King Charles III: A Celebration by Fiona Munro (Author)
When I think back to the non-fiction books of my childhood DK and Ladybird stick out. And I was SO excited to get my hands on the Ladybird edition which celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of HM King Charles III.
The book has the classic Ladybird layout – a beautiful illustration next to a page of accessible text, showcasing the life and work of King Charles. From his early years, school days, charitable work, climate activism, enthusiasm for architecture all the way through to his life as a husband, father and grandfather.
This would be a wonderful gift for people of any age who love the royal family!
Published by Ladybird, 30 March 2023
ISBN: 978-0241643204
A Ladybird Book: Climate Change by Tony Juniper, Emily Shuckburgh and Aleesha Nandhra with afterword by HRH The Prince of Wales
You’ll notice lots of the reviews above mention King Charles’ work on climate change. Well, I was delighted to find this Ladybird book on Climate Change that features an afterword from King Charles himself.
Our young people care deeply about the environment and this wonderful Ladybird guide looks at the causes and effects of climate change on human life, nature and the Earth’s geography. It celebrates the youth climate change movement and highlights the small changes everyone can do, today, to help slow and halt the progression of climate change.
The afterword by King Charles is very fitting as we approach Coronation week, and this would make a lovely keepsake to inspire young people.
Published by Ladybird, 9 March 2023
ISBN: 978-0241545669
The King’s Hats by Sheila May Bird and Mark Beech
So far I’ve recommended some lovely classic special editions on the coronation and some fabulous biographies, but if you’re after something lighter and more fun this bank holiday weekend, then this picture book might be just right.
King Charles the III is now King of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and he is finding his new crown just a little heavy to manage. But his good friend Tom the gardener is on hand to show him that kings must wear all sorts of hats and that he must be brave and allow himself to be the king he was born to be.
Mark’s caricature-style illustrations fit the hilarious rhyming scenes perfectly as we see the King wearing funnier hats in more and more obscure settings. This picture book is perfect for fans of the You Can’t Let an Elephant… series by Patricia Cleveland-Peck and David Tazzyman.
Published by Welbeck Flame, 30 March 2023
ISBN: 978-1803381329
Peppa Pig: Peppa and the Coronation
And last by not least, it is Peppa Pig’s turn to get involved in the coronation celebrations! My three-year-old adores the Peppa Pig books and was over the moon to have this special edition.
Peppa is learning all about coronations! Everybody will take in turn to be crowned king or queen of the playgroup, but what will Peppa do when she is queen?
This is a perfect picture book to share will little ones this bank holiday weekend.
Published by Ladybird, 30 March 2023
ISBN: 978-0241642764
I am very grateful to the publishers for providing me with complimentary copies of these books. This voluntary feature contains my honest opinion.
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