Book of the Week: The Bench

By Caroline O'Connor | May 5 2021 | AdultsChildren'sAllBlog

Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex’s first children’s book, The Bench, beautifully captures the special relationship between father and son, as seen through a mother’s eyes. The book’s storytelling and illustration give us snapshots of shared moments that evoke a deep sense of warmth, connection, and compassion.

This is your bench

Where you’ll witness great joy.

From here you will rest

See the growth of our boy.

In The Bench, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, touchingly captures the evolving and expanding relationship between father and son and reminds us of the many ways that love can take shape and be expressed in a modern family.

Evoking a deep sense of warmth, connection, and compassion, The Duchess’s debut children’s book gives us a window into shared and enduring moments between a diverse group of fathers and sons—moments of peace and reflection, trust and belief, discovery and learning, and comfort and nurture. 

Working in watercolor for the first time, Caldecott-winning, bestselling illustrator Christian Robinson expands on his signature style to bring joy and softness to the pages, reflecting the beauty of a father’s love through a mother’s eyes.  

With a universal message, this thoughtful and heartwarming read-aloud is destined to be treasured by families for generations to come.

 

Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex

Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, is a mother, wife, feminist, and activist. Through the nonprofit work of Archewell Foundation, she and her husband are committed to activating compassion in communities across the world. She currently resides in her home state of California with her family, two dogs and a growing flock of rescue chickens.

 

Christian Robinson

Christian Robinson received a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for his art in Last Stop on Market Street. He is the author and illustrator of the picture books Another and You Matter, and he has illustrated many more, including Milo Imagines the World, Carmela Full of Wishes, and the Gaston and Friends series.


The Bench
978-0-593-43451-2
Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex’s first children’s book, The Bench, beautifully captures the special relationship between father and son, as seen through a mother’s eyes. The book’s storytelling and illustration give us snapshots of shared moments that evoke a deep sense of warmth, connection, and compassion.  
$18.99 US
Jun 08, 2021
9 x 12
Hardcover
40 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years

Nina
A Story of Nina Simone
978-1-5247-3728-3
A 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Honoree!This luminous, defining picture book biography illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinson, tells the remarkable and inspiring story of acclaimed singer Nina Simone and her bold, defiant, and exultant legacy.
$18.99 US
Sep 28, 2021
8-1/2 x 10-1/2
Hardcover
56 Pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Age 4-8 years

Milo Imagines the World
978-0-399-54908-3
The team behind the Newbery Medal winner and Caldecott Honor book Last Stop on Market Street and the award-winning New York Times bestseller Carmela Full of Wishes once again delivers a poignant and timely picture book that's sure to become an instant classic.
$18.99 US
Feb 02, 2021
10-1/2 x 8
Hardcover
40 Pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Age 4-8 years

Milo imagina el mundo
978-0-593-35462-9
Milo hace un largo viaje en metro. Para pasar el tiempo, observa a la gente a su alrededor y hace dibujos de cómo se imagina que son sus vidas.   Está el hombre de bigotes con un crucigrama; Milo lo dibuja jugando al solitario en un apartamento desordenado. Está la mujer vestida de novia; Milo la dibuja en una gran ceremonia en la catedral. Y luego está el chico del traje; Milo lo dibuja llegando a su hogar, que es un castillo.   ¿Pero qué pasa si la vida de cada uno es diferente de lo que Milo imaginó inicialmente?   De los creadores galardonados Matt de la Peña y Christian Robinson nos llega este oportuno e importante álbum ilustrado sobre cómo no se puede conocer realmente la historia de alguien con solo mirarlo.
$18.99 US
Mar 02, 2021
10-1/2 x 8
Hardcover
40 Pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Age 4-8 years

Carmela Full of Wishes
978-0-399-54904-5
In their first collaboration since the Newbery Medal- and Caldecott Honor-winning Last Stop on Market Street, Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson deliver a poignant and timely new picture book that's sure to be an instant classic.
$18.99 US
Oct 09, 2018
9 x 10
Hardcover
40 Pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Age 4-8 years

Little Penguins
978-0-553-50770-6
A highly acclaimed author and illustrator pair up to tell this wintry story about a penguin family enjoying a snowy day.
$18.99 US
Oct 25, 2016
11 x 8-1/2
Hardcover
40 Pages
Schwartz & Wade
Age 3-7 years

Last Stop on Market Street
978-0-399-25774-2
#1 New York Times Bestseller A USA Today Bestseller Winner of the Newbery Medal A Caldecott Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book   This award-winning modern classic—a must-have for every child’s home library—is an inclusive ode to kindness, empathy, gratitude, and finding joy in unexpected places, and celebrates the special bond between a curious young boy and his loving grandmother. Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them. This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la Peña’s vibrant text and Christian Robinson’s radiant illustrations.
$18.99 US
Jan 08, 2015
8-1/2 x 10-1/2
Hardcover
32 Pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Age 3-5 years

The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade
978-0-399-25743-8
Hardly anyone noticed young Sally McCabe.She was the smallest girl in the smallest grade. But Sally notices everything—from the twenty-seven keys on the janitor’s ring to the bullying happening on the playground. One day, Sally has had enough and decides to make herself heard. And when she takes a chance and stands up to the bullies, she finds that one small girl can make a big difference.Grammy-nominated children’s musician Justin Roberts, together with vibrant artwork from award-winning illustrator Christian Robinson, will have readers cheering for young Sally McCabe.
$18.99 US
Sep 04, 2014
8-1/2 x 10-1/2
Hardcover
40 Pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Age 3-5 years

Harlem's Little Blackbird
The Story of Florence Mills
978-0-375-86973-0
Vibrant art sets the stage for this beautiful biography of a little-known Harlem Renaissance star!
$17.99 US
Oct 23, 2012
8 x 10
Hardcover
40 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years