Books About Kings

The Best Kings Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about kings? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Kings

King Sejong Invents an Alphabet
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

King Sejong Invents an Alphabet

By Carol Kim, Cindy Kang (Illustrator)

A king secretly crafts an alphabet to empower his people.

32 pages· 898 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.5 Goodreads · 175 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 15th-century Korea, King Sejong faces a daunting challenge: the complex Chinese script limits literacy to the elite. Determined to change this, he secretly devises a new alphabet, risking everything to ensure all Koreans can read and write. As he battles tradition and resistance, will his vision of equality prevail? Discover the inspiring tale of a leader's quest for justice and innovation.
The Story of the Three Wise Kings
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1983

The Story of the Three Wise Kings

By Tomie dePaola

Three wise men follow a star to present gifts to a newborn king.

32 pages· 456 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 296 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In a timeless journey, three wise men from the East are guided by a mysterious star to Bethlehem. Their quest leads them to a newborn king, where they offer precious gifts. What wonders await as they follow the celestial sign? This enchanting retelling of a classic tale invites young readers to explore the magic and mystery of a legendary night.
Bartholomew and the Oobleck
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 1949

Bartholomew and the Oobleck

By Dr. Seuss · Classic Seuss series

A king's wish for new weather creates a sticky disaster.

Caldecott Honor (1950)
48 pages· 2,889 words· Est. 23 min read-aloud
4.0 Goodreads · 7,662 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Library Binding
Summary: King Derwin, tired of ordinary weather, commands his magicians to conjure something extraordinary. Instead, a sticky green substance called Oobleck rains down, causing chaos. Only Bartholomew, a clever page boy, can help the king find a simple solution to this magical mishap. Can words alone save the kingdom from this gooey predicament?
The Real Thief
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1973

The Real Thief

By William Steig

A loyal goose must prove his innocence in a theft scandal or face exile forever.

64 pages· 8,944 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 705 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Gawain, a devoted goose and chief guard of the royal treasury, faces a shocking accusation: theft. With his peaceful life shattered, he must uncover the real thief to clear his name. As suspicion looms, will Gawain find the true culprit, or is he doomed to a life of exile? Dive into a tale of loyalty, mystery, and the quest for justice.
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1880

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

By Sidney Lanier, N. C. Wyeth (Illustrator)

A king's rise, knights' quests, and a legendary search for the Holy Grail.

352 pages· 88,957 words· Est. 10 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 390 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: In a world of chivalry and magic, Arthur pulls a sword from stone, becoming king. Joined by valiant knights like Launcelot and Galahad, they embark on epic quests, including the elusive Holy Grail. As loyalty and courage are tested, the fate of a kingdom hangs in the balance. Will they triumph or fall in the final battle? Discover the timeless drama and adventure of King Arthur and his legendary knights.
The King's Stilts
Sale price
$1597
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1939

The King's Stilts

By Dr. Seuss · Classic Seuss series

A king's kingdom teeters on chaos when his cherished stilts vanish.

56 pages· 3,470 words· Est. 27 min read-aloud
3.9 Goodreads · 2,329 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In the Kingdom of Binn, King Birtram's world teeters when his cherished stilts vanish. His kingdom's stability hangs in the balance as he struggles to fulfill his duties without his playful escape. Will he find a way to reclaim his joy and save his realm from chaos? Discover a tale of duty, play, and the quest for balance in this timeless adventure.
The Fox and the Ghost King
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–+ · 2016

The Fox and the Ghost King

By Michael Morpurgo

A family of football-loving foxes hears a ghostly voice from underground, and it leads them to a long-lost king.

144 pages· 4,978 words· Est. 56 min read
3.9 Goodreads · 745 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In a cosy den under a garden shed lives a family of foxes who love football. One day they hear a ghostly voice coming from deep underground: a long-lost king who wants to be found. Helping him leads the foxes to one of the biggest archaeological discoveries in living memory.
Illustrated Legends of Scotland's Kings and Queens
Sale price
$2560
Chapter Book · Ages 6–12 · 2023

Illustrated Legends of Scotland's Kings and Queens

By Theresa Breslin, Liza Tretyakova (Illustrator)

Ten rulers face secret plots, fierce battles and danger in tales from a nation's past.

144 pages
4.4 Goodreads · 15 ratings
$26.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Theresa Breslin retells the stories of ten Scottish kings and queens, drawing on history and old legends. Readers rescue the Stone of Destiny with Kenneth MacAlpin, fight at Bannockburn with Robert the Bruce, befriend the young Mary, Queen of Scots, and face a would-be assassin with Queen Victoria. Liza Tretyakova's paintings illustrate every tale.
The Sword in the Stone
Sale price
$379
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1992

The Sword in the Stone

By Grace Maccarone, Joe Boddy (Illustrator)

A boy pulls a sword from stone, claiming a kingdom.

32 pages· 373 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
3.7 Goodreads · 68 ratings
$3.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In a land where only the worthy can wield the sword, young Arthur defies all odds by drawing it from the stone. As he ascends to the throne, he must navigate the treacherous world of power and legacy. Can this unexpected king unite a fractured realm, or will the weight of the crown prove too great? Discover the legend of a boy destined to become a leader in a world of doubt and ambition.
King Midas and the Gold
Picture Book · 2008

King Midas and the Gold

By Alex Frith, Simona Sunfilippo (Illustrator)

A king's greed for gold leads to unexpected trouble.

23 pages· 145 words
3.9 Goodreads · 77 ratings
Paperback
Summary: King Midas's insatiable desire for gold turns his world upside down when his wish is granted. As everything he touches transforms into gold, Midas faces a dilemma that could cost him dearly. Can he find a way to reverse his golden curse before it's too late? Dive into this retelling of a classic myth and discover the true cost of greed.
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