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Christian Robinson
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Meghan The Duchess of Sussex
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The Bench Hardcover – 8 Jun. 2021

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#1 New York Times Bestselling Picture Book

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 Bench gives readers 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 lasting comfort.

Working in watercolour 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.

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  1. Reading age
    3 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Dimensions
    24 x 1 x 31.4 cm
  5. Publisher
    Puffin
  6. Publication date
    8 Jun. 2021
  7. ISBN-10
    0241542219
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0241542217
  9. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,010 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the plot heartwarming and loyal. They also describe the illustrations as beautiful, easy rhyme, and calming. Readers say the tone is tender, uplifting, and brings tears to their eyes. They appreciate the simplicity and readability of the book. Customers also appreciate the character diversity and readership. They say the book is brilliant for kids and perfect for any father with an open heart.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
IllustrationsWriting qualityPlotConversation starterComprehensibilityReadershipCharacter diversityTone
235 customers mention ‘Illustrations’231 positive4 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book beautiful, inclusive, and warm. They also describe the book as relaxing and emotional for both readers and listeners.

"...I loved the Poetry and simplicity of the message which made it deeper and more sincere...." Read more

"...It is a very calming book to share together. I adore the 'Easter egg' drawing on the last page - welcome to the world, little Lili...." Read more

"...They are beautiful, there's so much representation and diversity of characters it warms your insides making you feel proud...." Read more

"...And learning also for english as it is very kindly written...." Read more

129 customers mention ‘Writing quality’129 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book lovely, A+, and talented. They also say it's a keepsake for future generations and an investment.

"...I was impressed at the size of the book and the quality of the production. I hope Meghan does another book for mother's day with Lili...." Read more

"...I would 1000% recommend a hard copy of this book. The quality is A+, a keepsake for future generation, even an investment, surely this will become a..." Read more

"Absolutely loved the book. I read it to my grandchildren and the enjoyed it and liked the pictures...." Read more

"LOVED IT. A book for anyone. Can be read to children or by children of reading age but can equally be enjoyed by all ages...." Read more

102 customers mention ‘Plot’94 positive8 negative

Customers find the plot heartwarming, beautiful, and sentimental. They also say the book is sure to encourage and strengthen family bonds. Readers also describe the book as a delightful children's story book written by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.

"...the Poetry and simplicity of the message which made it deeper and more sincere...." Read more

"...The words are so sweet and easy to read, perfect Bedtime story for your little one...." Read more

"...Its a wonderful tribute to relationships between a father and son. I also appreciate the diversity, as representation matters...." Read more

"Beautiful story , beautifully written. My son and his dad’s favourite. Duchess Meghan is such good writer . The illustrations are amazing." Read more

52 customers mention ‘Conversation starter’45 positive7 negative

Customers like the conversation starter. They say the illustrations capture the essence of the book, and they enjoy the message. They also say the animation is good, engaging, and catchy. Readers also say it has a calming effect and enhances the words written. They mention the book is purposeful, well thought out, and enchanting.

"...The illustrations deliver a calming effect and enhance the words written and vice versa. Bought for myself and grandchildren. A true keepsake...." Read more

"The Bench has such a good message and i will still buy more as and when i have money to send it out to my country where most of the children have..." Read more

"...The animation is very good, and engaging, which encouraged the young ones to ask questions about the different types of benches,..." Read more

"...The book provides positive representation, with expressiveness attributed to ethnicities that are so often unrepresented and/or rarely given credit..." Read more

39 customers mention ‘Comprehensibility’30 positive9 negative

Customers find the book simple yet comprehensive, with no fuss. They also say the pictures are simple for children, making it great for pre-school age. Customers also mention that the book is not too long and can be read quickly.

"...I enjoyed reading this book which in it’s simplistic yet comprehensive delivery of the relationship between fathers and their sons says so much in..." Read more

"...It is simple, easy rhyme which younger children love and beautiful all inclusive pictures - it has meaning for adults yet I feel will appeal to..." Read more

"...It's beautifully simplistic which makes it so endearing and heartwarming. The illustration is stunning and works amazingly with the simple poems." Read more

"...nieces and nephews have found the story confusing and the words don't make sense. But this little boy loves it for its beautiful illustrations." Read more

39 customers mention ‘Readership’35 positive4 negative

Customers find the book brilliant for kids and a deeper joy for adults. They also say it's perfect for fathers to read to their kids, right for today's families, and fun to read. Readers also mention that the book helps connect with the child and is well written depiction of fatherly love.

"...My husband found it helped connect with the child and even made them both laugh and cry together as they chatted about feelings; difficult for some..." Read more

"...Really fun for him, and for us all. And learning also for english as it is very kindly written...." Read more

"...The illustrations are vivid and appeal to kids...." Read more

"A very lovely and inspiring book for kids and adult. I like the diversity it represents and the loving relationship between father and son...." Read more

38 customers mention ‘Character diversity’38 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's character diversity. They mention that there are different families of different colors, backgrounds, and situations. They also appreciate the different benches on the inside cover.

"...I liked the inclusiveness of all families represented in the pictures. I was impressed at the size of the book and the quality of the production...." Read more

"...The inside cover has lots of different benches, and my boys enjoyed spotting them as they occurred throughout the book...." Read more

"...And learning also for english as it is very kindly written. Very diverse book, from eyeglasses, animals, color of skin, colors of trees, toys in..." Read more

"...I also appreciate the diversity, as representation matters. It will be a great gift for father's day...." Read more

26 customers mention ‘Tone’26 positive0 negative

Customers find the tone of the book tender, emotional, and uplifting. They also say the last page made them cry from joy.

"...The illustrations are simple but give you a nice feel good feeling...." Read more

"...colour painting is warm and welcoming, I read it slowly and found it uplifting, it reminded of my loving parents, that feeling you have when you..." Read more

"...illustrations - children will love as much as parents ... brought tears to my eyes. A new standard baby gift for me...." Read more

"...brought life to the book, his use of water colour is fresh and soft on the eye. A truly accomplished artist." Read more

What age group?
4 out of 5 stars
What age group?
I bought this book out of curiosity and also to give to my young nieces and nephews. But it doesn't read like a book for small children. What age group is it for? It is unfortunately very boring and makes no sense. As other reviewers have mentioned, the grammar is questionable and there is inconsistency with using Papa and then later daddy. I don't get why she's selling an almost personal note to her husband and son as a children's book. My four stars are for the illustrator of this book, Christian Robinson. I hope that this book gives him recognition as he is very good. The illustrations are simple but give you a nice feel good feeling.UPDATE - my 3 year old nephew absolutely loves this book but not for the story but for all the benches in it. He loves looking at the inside cover as there are lots of different benches which he happily describes to us. He loves looking at the benches on each page and is pleased to note that there is a daddy and his little boy on each of them. Sadly my little nephew can't find his own black bench in the book. The Bench book is away to bed with him and his dinosaurs tonight. I truly hope that this book helps Christian Robinson with his career in illustrating. My older nieces and nephews have found the story confusing and the words don't make sense. But this little boy loves it for its beautiful illustrations.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

S. Cox
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly heartwarming and Beautiful Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 June 2021
Verified Purchase
As a qualified Psychologist and Teacher I found this book to be a real asset for a parent/carer to read with their child to discuss emotions and to connect. It is not meant to be a grammatical and school reading aide as some reviewers seem to suggest and comment that it falls short of this 'target'. The reviews in this vein show more about the reviewers' agenda than it does about the quality of this book. I read it with a boy of seven and a girl of five and they both asked questions and both wanted to read it again. My husband found it helped connect with the child and even made them both laugh and cry together as they chatted about feelings; difficult for some boys and men to do!
I loved the Poetry and simplicity of the message which made it deeper and more sincere. The artwork is beautiful and very accessible for children to appreciate especially. I liked the inclusiveness of all families represented in the pictures. I was impressed at the size of the book and the quality of the production. I hope Meghan does another book for mother's day with Lili. Can't wait to see that one and buy it !
Duchess of Sussex, father and son, well done, children.

Sammi
19 people found this helpful
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Mitzi
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully diverse, beautifully illustrated, love it.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2021
Verified Purchase
As expected, there is minimal text on each page, but the illustrations give so much to talk about with any little one. I love the diversity of the dads pictured and the activities they engage in with their sons. It is a very calming book to share together. I adore the 'Easter egg' drawing on the last page - welcome to the world, little Lili.
EDIT: the negative comments are really missing the beauty of this book - it's a picture book. The gorgeous illustrations by Christian Robinson are just as important as the text - if not more so. When I read it with my grandsons, we didn't just whip through reading the text, we looked at the pictures, we thought about their interactions with their dad doing those same activities, we talked and talked, it was just lovely! The inside cover has lots of different benches, and my boys enjoyed spotting them as they occurred throughout the book. Slow down, don't rush to hate it because of the author, look, talk and listen, there is much of value here.
147 people found this helpful
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Dinia
5.0 out of 5 stars An unbias view
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2021
Verified Purchase
Besides the emotions evoked by the words in the book, the most memorable and impressive thing in the book is the illustration. They are beautiful, there's so much representation and diversity of characters it warms your insides making you feel proud. I would 1000% recommend a hard copy of this book. The quality is A+, a keepsake for future generation, even an investment, surely this will become a collectable.

The words are so sweet and easy to read, perfect Bedtime story for your little one. The love and warmth of the words written, compliment the illustrations, a book worth cherishing. Really well done.

A negative about the book, its only focuses on the love and hope between a father and his son from the mother's perspective. It isn't about going an adventure, making discoveries, or anything like that. But the book makes it clear what to expect anyway.
81 people found this helpful
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ivna
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and interesting children book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2021
Verified Purchase
Really loved this book reading with my godson, it really seems it can transform to not just father/son duo but to any kind of family bond. And he is just the but the age of keeping him interested for everything in the book, all the photos and the poems as the english is not his first language and he is just started learning. So this was just perfect. And he looooved all the photos of the benches so we had to go for a walk and finding all kinds of benches with book and his mum with us. Really fun for him, and for us all. And learning also for english as it is very kindly written. Very diverse book, from eyeglasses, animals, color of skin, colors of trees, toys in hands, playing.... For all the world! Thank you

Update: later we gifted the book The Bench to comunity library and the book is during our summer (May to the end of September) in and out frequently for other kids! Love love it!!!!
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ivna
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and interesting children book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2021
Really loved this book reading with my godson, it really seems it can transform to not just father/son duo but to any kind of family bond. And he is just the but the age of keeping him interested for everything in the book, all the photos and the poems as the english is not his first language and he is just started learning. So this was just perfect. And he looooved all the photos of the benches so we had to go for a walk and finding all kinds of benches with book and his mum with us. Really fun for him, and for us all. And learning also for english as it is very kindly written. Very diverse book, from eyeglasses, animals, color of skin, colors of trees, toys in hands, playing.... For all the world! Thank you

Update: later we gifted the book The Bench to comunity library and the book is during our summer (May to the end of September) in and out frequently for other kids! Love love it!!!!
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8 people found this helpful
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Dot
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, perfect gift for Father's Day. Highly recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2021
Verified Purchase
Absolutely loved the book. I read it to my grandchildren and the enjoyed it and liked the pictures. Its a wonderful tribute to relationships between a father and son. I also appreciate the diversity, as representation matters. It will be a great gift for father's day. I'm keeping my copy but getting some more for my grandchildren and also copies for the the wonderful fathers in our family. Definitely in my top 5 children's books. My number 1 favourite children's book is Nell and the Circus of Dreams, I got a signed copy from the author Nell Gifford when I went to her Gifford Circus in 2019.
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Dot
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, perfect gift for Father's Day. Highly recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2021
Absolutely loved the book. I read it to my grandchildren and the enjoyed it and liked the pictures. Its a wonderful tribute to relationships between a father and son. I also appreciate the diversity, as representation matters. It will be a great gift for father's day. I'm keeping my copy but getting some more for my grandchildren and also copies for the the wonderful fathers in our family. Definitely in my top 5 children's books. My number 1 favourite children's book is Nell and the Circus of Dreams, I got a signed copy from the author Nell Gifford when I went to her Gifford Circus in 2019.
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3 people found this helpful
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Marcia Bermudez
1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2021
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I thought I would buy this book for my 3 year old..

At the end of the book he said: it’s not a story, it’s boring

I think that says a lot 🤷🏻‍♀️
I would give it zero star but needed to put one in so that I save the review 🙄
1,726 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written and illustrated
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 June 2021
Verified Purchase
LOVED IT. A book for anyone. Can be read to children or by children of reading age but can equally be enjoyed by all ages. I enjoyed reading this book which in it’s simplistic yet comprehensive delivery of the relationship between fathers and their sons says so much in 40pages. Expresses the subject matter fully enough whilst also being inclusive. The author and the illustrator are both in sync .
There’s attention to detail e.g. 'the wood effect cover with the marking (H+A) no guessing who they are 🙂). The illustrations deliver a calming effect and enhance the words written and vice versa. Bought for myself and grandchildren. A true keepsake.
46 people found this helpful
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Awesomerawson
5.0 out of 5 stars Feel good book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2021
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Beautiful story , beautifully written. My son and his dad’s favourite. Duchess Meghan is such good writer . The illustrations are amazing.
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Awesomerawson
5.0 out of 5 stars Feel good book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2021
Beautiful story , beautifully written. My son and his dad’s favourite. Duchess Meghan is such good writer . The illustrations are amazing.
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510 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy bonito
Reviewed in Spain on 17 June 2021
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Me ha encantado! Desde las frases hasta las ilustraciones. Una maravilla fácil de entender, leer y desde luego sentirme identificada como madre. Mi hijo de 3 años y medio me lo pide cada día desde llegó. Todas las páginas tienen mensajes reales, pero si tengo que elegir dos, elijo la primera y la última.
Compré otro para regalar y ha tenido el mismo efecto que en mi familia.
2 people found this helpful
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Adriana
5.0 out of 5 stars Bellissimo e pieno di poesia
Reviewed in Italy on 17 June 2021
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È un libro molto bello che piace ai bambini e che nello stesso tempo aiuta i genitori (spesso il padre) a stabilire un rapporto con il proprio figlio/a.
Ha splendidi disegni che i bambini e anche gli adulti amano
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Adriana
5.0 out of 5 stars Bellissimo e pieno di poesia
Reviewed in Italy on 17 June 2021
È un libro molto bello che piace ai bambini e che nello stesso tempo aiuta i genitori (spesso il padre) a stabilire un rapporto con il proprio figlio/a.
Ha splendidi disegni che i bambini e anche gli adulti amano
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5 people found this helpful
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Forêt Interdite
5.0 out of 5 stars Un album très touchant
Reviewed in France on 14 June 2021
Verified Purchase
J'avais hâte de recevoir ma commande, et bien, je suis très satisfaite de mon achat pour plusieurs raisons.

Ce livre est magnifique, y compris la "réelle" couverture du livre avec l'inscription cachée.

C'est un ouvrage original dont le thème a rarement été abordé en littérature enfantine dans les albums illustrés (la relation d'amour spéciale entre un père et son fils).

Les illustrations de Christian Robinson sont touchantes, pleines d'amour et de tendresse qui révèlent des trésors : les 16 bancs que l'on peut s'amuser à rechercher avec un enfant(mon petit-fils à 3 ans), la diversité des scènes, l'inclusion en filigrane des éléments de la vie de la narratrice que l'on voit porter son deuxième enfant et bien sûr les clins d'œil avec les chiens et les poules autour d'un petit garçon (bébé au début et qui nourrit les poules à la fin) et de son papa qui ressemblent furieusement à Archie et au Prince Harry.

Bref, je suis ravie de mon achat qui va au-delà de mes espérances.
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Forêt Interdite
5.0 out of 5 stars Un album très touchant
Reviewed in France on 14 June 2021
J'avais hâte de recevoir ma commande, et bien, je suis très satisfaite de mon achat pour plusieurs raisons.

Ce livre est magnifique, y compris la "réelle" couverture du livre avec l'inscription cachée.

C'est un ouvrage original dont le thème a rarement été abordé en littérature enfantine dans les albums illustrés (la relation d'amour spéciale entre un père et son fils).

Les illustrations de Christian Robinson sont touchantes, pleines d'amour et de tendresse qui révèlent des trésors : les 16 bancs que l'on peut s'amuser à rechercher avec un enfant(mon petit-fils à 3 ans), la diversité des scènes, l'inclusion en filigrane des éléments de la vie de la narratrice que l'on voit porter son deuxième enfant et bien sûr les clins d'œil avec les chiens et les poules autour d'un petit garçon (bébé au début et qui nourrit les poules à la fin) et de son papa qui ressemblent furieusement à Archie et au Prince Harry.

Bref, je suis ravie de mon achat qui va au-delà de mes espérances.
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11 people found this helpful
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Maudd
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful children’s book
Reviewed in the Netherlands on 8 June 2021
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Beautiful written and illustrated. A recommendation for all young parents to read with their child or to give as a present.
2 people found this helpful
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Dallass
5.0 out of 5 stars A charming book for fathers and sons, or reader’s of any age.
Reviewed in Australia on 17 January 2023
Verified Purchase
I just read this, and loved it. The book has a very simple layout and style (which may not appeal to every reader), but it has a rustic charm that suits the diverse imagery very well. Would make a great gift for father’s day.
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