The Kings Equal

by Katherine Paterson, Curtis Woodbridge (Illustrator)

A dying king makes his son his heir - on one condition: the vain Prince Raphael must marry a woman who is his equal in beauty, intelligence, and wealth. A search throughout the kingdom appears to be fruitless until the lovely Rosamund appears at the palace. She is intelligent and wealthy, as well as beautiful - certainly his equal, Raphael thinks. But what does the mysterious Rosamund think?

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Middle Grade, Royalty

Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Katherine Womeldorf Paterson is an American writer best known for children's novels, including Bridge to Terabithia. For four different books published 1975–1980, she won two Newbery Medals and two National Book Awards. She is one of four people to win the two major international awards; for "lasting contribution to children's literature" she won the biennial Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing in 1998 and for her career contribution to "children's and young adult literature in the broadest sense" she won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award from the Swedish Arts Council in 2006, the biggest monetary prize in children's literature. Also for her body of work she was awarded the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature in 2007 and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the American Library Association in 2013. She was the second US National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, serving 2010 and 2011.

Reviews

[Roya · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom first read this to us when we were waiting in a restaurant. I ended up being more excited about the ending than dinner, which when you're that young, is a sure sign of a good book. Highly recommend. Extra points for the beautiful illustrations.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairy-tale world. Beautiful illustrations. Important theme. Definitely recommended!

(What's up with the wolf, though?)

ೄྀ࿐ Quotes ೄྀ࿐
☐ "The prince's brain whirled with thoughts of vast lands, and sailing ships, and diamonds, and above all, his father's crown. "There are things I desire that I do not possess." "Then," said Rosamund quietly, "perhaps you are poorer than I, for there is nothing I desire that I do not already possess."
☐ "A man who has friends is truly rich."

««Recommended for...»»
☐ All children ages 3-7
☐ Adults who like children's stories

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so delightful and charming. Somehow I ended up with this as a small chapter book and as I read it to my son I was thinking that I couldn't imagine why it was produced as a cheap little chapter book when it would be such an amazing picture. Turns out it's also a picture book with great illustrations. I'm going to try and hunt a copy down now and if I'm very lucky someday I'll be reading it to my grandchildren.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful fairy tale.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

But...?????????????? What was the point of the wolf????????
Creepy punk.
This is a fun story about a prince who needs to learn a lesson in humility. The artwork is, um, lavish albeit very garish. The expressions on the animals' faces left me chuckling, though I can't decide if it wasn't intentional or not. And it had a pretty good moral.
I think with different artwork I would have enjoyed it more.

[LMS · Rating 3 out of 5]

This beautiful fairy tale tells the story of a woman who is wise enough to be content with having very little, brave enough to stand before the arrogant prince in order to save her country, and compassionate enough to take pity on him.

Reviewed for Exodus Books.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little chapter book/fairytale that was shelved with the picture books for reasons best known to one of my predecessors. (I mean, there IS a picture booky version, but this ain't it)
I really enjoyed this, but she probably shouldn't have trusted that dingus with her goats, tho.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awards and Recognitions: Katherine Paterson won the Hans Christian Anderson award – 1998 and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award – 2006.

On his deathbed, the king gives his son, Prince Raphael, a blessing; though Raphael will rule when the king dies, he will not wear the king’s crown until he marries a woman that is his equal in all things: beauty, intelligence, and wealth. King Raphael sets his councilors the task of finding a princess as beautiful, as intelligent, and as rich as he is, but none of the princesses are good enough. Meanwhile a poor farmer’s daughter, Rosamund, makes friends with a wolf who tells her that she must go to the king and present herself as his equal. In this modern fairy tale, an arrogant prince must learn the meaning of true beauty and intelligence. He must also learn that true wealth does not come in the form of money. Black and white illustrations complement the story. As a classroom read-aloud, this story has broad appeal up through 6th grade, but for independent readers it is probably most appropriate for 8 to 10 year olds, so it skews to the younger end of upper elementary age children.

[Anna B · Rating 5 out of 5]

We thoroughly enjoyed reading this book to our young son. The character lessons about pride, vanity, and selfishness are told in such a charming and captivating manner as in all good fairy tales. The illustrations are beautiful too. I highly recommend this book.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Besides being one of the most beautifully-illustrated children's books I've ever seen, the story is also absolutely wonderful. This was a favorite of mine in childhood, and remains equally great and relevant today. A wonderful gift for the young (or young at heart) person in your life!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming little story, perfect for our fairy tale unit, as I have a group of sensitive boys who would never admit they are sensitive boys who I think will enjoy this.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet fairy tale. Quick read. Good read aloud for 2nd and 3rd graders.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids and I enjoyed this one. A short story but they wouldn't go to bed until we finished, ha :) Lot's of comments and thought provoking things in this book to talk about...krb 2/2/18

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely little fairy tale. Short and good for beginning chapter book readers.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is wealth? What is happiness? My wife has had this book since childhood and we read it with our daughters. Good message about being content. The girls enjoyed it.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book about a young prince who needs to learn humility.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful little fairytale, it was just as wonderful when I was young as when I read it again, more than ten years after. Recommended to everyone.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is either a very long picture book or a very short chapter book. Either way, I really enjoyed it. I've seen it around in my library world for YEARS and never got around to reading it until yesterday. I pre-read it and then read it out loud to a 5th/6th grade class, and it was a hit with them. Even though I went well over my allotted time and into their check-out time, they wanted to hear it all and find out what happened. That's always a good sign. A wonderful story that teaches a valuable lesson about what personality traits and characteristics are important in a good leader, and that kindness and wisdom win out over good looks and money.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like "Bridge to Terabithia", but I did like this little chapter book. A newer fairy tale, that's definitely for children but teaches some valuable lessons on humility and kindness. Good for beginner readers.

One cause for concern when I let my children read this would be when the Wolf (traditionally bad) told the princess to keep their friendship a secret. I anticipate having to explain that when a "friend" tells you to keep them secret, you should say no and tell your parents about your new friend. (for reasons I think everyone here gets.)

I get that it's important for the book, but I don't want some clever children applying the wrong lessons to their life.

[Tirzah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book through reading Honey for a Child's Heart. I read it aloud in one sitting. Yes, I'm eccentric and read aloud on occasion - it helps improve my inflection when reading to students. Furthermore, some stories were written to be read aloud, regardless the circumstances. This book is one such example. The plot, characters, and illustrations are excellent. It is a story worthy of a child and parent's time. Highly recommend.

[Samantha Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my absolute favorite fairytale and I couldn't remember the title and was looking for it for years until it happened to come across my desk at the library! Just a great reminder to all women to never settle for a man that is not your equal and vice versa!

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this little Scholastic reader at Half Price Books and was curious, being a fan of Paterson's other work. It's a great magical little fairy tale. I kept thinking it would make a wonderful fully illustrated picture book, and apparently it has!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember we had a lovely illustrated copy of this short story fable/fairytale when I was a kid. I liked it again as an adult, but wished Paterson had written a few pages more to show the prince taking action after he has changed and grown, and how he has become worthy of his equal.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I had never even heard of this story before but it was recommended to me by ChatGPT And I'm really glad that it was because I like the message of it and just the whole development of the characters. Definitely going to be one that I pass along to any kids that I have!

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish the pictures were better (and more plentiful).

[Anna Murdock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to Lydia. It is a really short, nice little Fairy Tale.

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lesson on humility, taught by the king to his son, who will one day inherit. A great example of how someone in a leadership position can influence an heir to be a great leader.

[Carla Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fairy tale with a deeper meaning

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read for your young readers. Dan will be reading this one soon.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

They made the arrogant king take care of goats! Hooray!