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‘His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story’ Book Review

'His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story' Book Review

My firstborn daughter loves playing princess. She also enjoys playing with her younger brother and often proclaims that she misses him when the two are apart. However, as with all siblings, my daughter and son fight sometimes. I thus love reading books with my children that address the issue of sibling rivalry in an amusing manner. When recently offered the chance to review His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by David Roberts in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add a new title to my home library.

Author/Illustrator

Currently residing in New York City, author Sally Lloyd-Jones has written a number of books for children including Skip to the Loo, My Darling! A Potty Book and How to Be a Baby…by Me, the Big Sister, which was a New York Times bestseller.

Born in Liverpool and currently living in London, illustrator David Roberts created the illustrations for many books children including The Dunderheads by Paul Fleischman, which was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal; The Dumpster Diver by Janet S. Wong; and several acclaimed titles by Andrea Beaty including Rosie Revere, Engineer and Ada Twist, Scientist.

Synopsis

“Once upon a time there was a happy family: A mom, a dad, a gerbil, and the most beautifulest, cleverest, ever so kindest Princess with long, flowing wondrous hair,” begins His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story written by Sally Lloyd-Jones with illustrations by David Roberts. The family lived together wonderfully until one horrible day when a new ruler is born: His Royal Highness, King Baby. The adorable book recounts a satisfying tale of usurped attention — and rapprochement — to which every sister and brother can relate. Recommended for readers between the ages of 4 and 8 in preschool through third grade, the 48-page hardback book with dust jacket currently costs $14.00 on Amazon with a list price of $16.99.

Front Cover of 'His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story' Back Cover of 'His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story'

Inside Pages of 'His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story' 1 Inside Pages of 'His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story' 2

Evaluation

With the arrival of my third-born, my two older children had to get used to having another sibling in the family. My firstborn daughter went through the experience once before when my second-born son arrived two years ago, but the experience was brand new for my preschooler son. His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story thus arrived at the perfect time for my kiddos. The humorous story told from the point of view of an older sister getting a new baby brother makes both of my older children laugh and my first-born daughter in particular. She totally relates to the “most beautifulest, cleverest, ever so kindest Princess with long, flowing wondrous hair” who must adjust to life with “His Terrible, Tiny Royal Highness, King Baby.”

Both my children enjoy listening to me read the funny book with a sweet ending out loud. My daughter, who has been reading on her own for almost two years, can easily read the text on her own without help, so I agree with the age recommendation of preschool through third grade. My preschooler son especially likes looking at the hilarious illustrations, which really bring the funny story to life, as I read the book aloud. I especially like that one set of illustrations shows the story while a second set shows the story from the point of view of the big sister. My daughter, who loves to draw, also enjoys the double pictures throughout the book. Overall, my kiddos and I highly recommend His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story to any family adding a new sibling into the mix!

Final Verdict

If your family is getting a new sibling, my children and I highly recommend checking out a copy of His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by David Roberts. The story begins with a happy family that includes a Princess daughter who must deal with the arrival of her new baby brother, or His Royal Highness, King Baby as she nicknames him. The book tells the hilarious tale of usurped attention and eventual reconciliation that often happens between siblings. The comical illustrations help bring the funny story to life, and the text is perfect for most readers between the ages of 4 and 8. Definitely pick up a copy of His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story to help your older children transition to life with a new sibling!

Purchase His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story on Amazon via my affiliate link.

Image Credits

‘His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story’ Book Review © 2017 Heather Johnson
Front Cover of ‘His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story’ © 2017 Heather Johnson
Back Cover of ‘His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story’ © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story’ 1 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘His Royal Highness, King Baby: A Terrible True Story’ 2 © 2017 Heather Johnson

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