The King's Gold

by Lois Wickstrom, Francie Mion (Illustrator)

Someone stole the king's golden goblet. He asks his advisor, Wynnie, to help him find it. As soon as she sees a picture of the missing goblet, Wynnie knows her pet dragon stole it. She saw her drinking from it earlier today. But, she doesn't want to tell the King. He's angry. And he wants to punish the thief. Wynnie needs to figure out how to help the king without upsetting her dragon.

Genres: Childrens

Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

The King’s Gold (Kingdom of Mir) by Lois Wickstrom is a delightfully whimsical tale where magic, mischief, and a very thirsty dragon collide. When the king discovers his golden goblet has vanished, he calls on his clever advisor, Wynnie, to help solve the mystery. But the moment Wynnie sees the picture of the missing treasure, she knows exactly where it went.

Now Wynnie is caught between a furious king and a dragon with a taste for shiny drinkware. The king wants justice. The dragon wants to stay out of trouble. And Wynnie? She needs to find a way to return the goblet, calm the king, and keep her dragon’s scales un-singed.

This charming adventure sparkles with fun, heart, and magical chaos — a whimsical romp through the Kingdom of Mir that young readers will adore. A sweet, magical adventure blends problem-solving, loyalty, and just the right touch of humour.

A charming addition to the Kingdom of Mir series and a fun read for young fantasy lovers.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

The King’s Gold is the third book in the Kingdom of Mir Series by Lois Wickstrom. We meet up with Wynnie again, whom we met in the previous book/s - and join her as she sets out to solve the mystery of the King’s missing gold goblet.
Through the little adventure, the story encourages compromising and problem solving. Winnie and her dragon, Mera make a great little team – even if Mera might cause a little mischief along the way.
This is a children’s fantasy story, that has a bit of a fairytale feel. With kings, treasure, castles, and a dragon to draw young readers into the adventure. As mentioned above, along the way it explores themes of problem solving, asking questions, finding answers, friendship, overcoming challenges, and compromising.
The illustrations are done in a bit of a naïve style, as are the other books in the series – but I found these particular ones a little dull and boring - they didn’t quite capture the imagination like I had been hoping for, or like the first two books in the series did. I also found my grandson was easily distracted from the story, as the pictures didn’t hold his attention like the other books in the series did - but they (Books #1 & 2) were illustrated by a different artist.
Happy reading…

[Erin Dodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King's Gold by Lois Wickstrom

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I absolutely love Lois Wickstrom's books! I have read quite a few of them over the past few years and they never disappoint. The King's Gold was no different. This story is about a King whose golden goblet gets stolen. His advisor Wynnie, is tasked with finding the goblet and the thief. Wynnie is great at getting the king to think about and reason through problems instead of jumping to conclusions and harsh punishments immediately (which is his typical tendency to do.) Wynnie is able to use questioning and reasoning skills to come up with a solution that is a compromise for everyone involved. This was a great story with an awesome message. Not everything is as it seems, and things that may seem awful to begin with can really end very positively.



View all my reviews

[Bilem · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King’s Gold is a charming and clever children’s picture book with a light mystery at its heart.

The story follows a stolen golden goblet belonging to the king, and the search for the culprit quickly becomes more personal for Wynnie, the king’s advisor. When she realizes her own pet dragon is responsible, the story shifts into a gentle moral dilemma rather than just a simple mystery.

What I enjoyed most is how the book balances humour, tension, and kindness. Wynnie is placed in a tricky situation where she must figure out how to do the right thing without harming her dragon, which makes the story feel both engaging and emotionally thoughtful for younger readers.

The writing is simple but effective, and the story carries a nice sense of curiosity that keeps children invested as the mystery unfolds. There’s also a soft lesson about honesty, responsibility, and compassion woven naturally into the plot without feeling forced.

Overall, The King’s Gold is a sweet and imaginative story that blends fantasy with a gentle moral message in a way that is easy for children to understand and enjoy.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is another brilliant story by a creative and original author. Each of her books always goes down a treat in our household across children and adults alike. And this book was no exception. It was so easy to be pulled into such a fun story, refamiliarising ourselves with Winnie. They story was entertaining right from the start and all of the characters added to this feeling.
What I love most about the books from this author is how invested my kids always become. No matter the story, the characters, the age it is aimed at, they both really connect with what they are reading and are engaged from start to finish. With this book, my daughter loved Winnie and thought she was a fantastic character, whereas my son loved the dragon. There is always something for everyone and it has firmly cemented this author as one of our favourites.

[Nalebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King’s Gold is a charming and gently clever children’s story that blends mystery with a soft moral lesson in a very natural way.

The story begins with the theft of the king’s golden goblet, which immediately draws attention, but what makes it more interesting is how the mystery unfolds through Wynnie, the king’s advisor, who quickly realizes her own pet dragon is involved.

What I enjoyed most is the way the story balances humour and responsibility. Wynnie is caught between telling the truth and protecting her dragon, and this creates a thoughtful dilemma that young readers can easily understand and relate to.

The writing is simple, clear, and engaging, making it easy for children to follow while still keeping the story meaningful. It carries a quiet message about honesty, kindness, and doing the right thing, without ever feeling forced or heavy.

[Jamie Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was once a King who loved to count his gold, but one day he found that he lost his golden goblet. He sent for his adviser, Wynnie who has helped him in the past with various problems. The king knew she would know what to do. On her way out of the house she noticed that her dragon, Mera had a new gold cup. She wasnt sure how Mera got it, but dragons love gold. She investigated a bit and found she got it from the king. Wynnie knew she had to come up with a plan to make sure she could save Mera from the king's wrath. To find out how she helped the king, read The King's gold!

This was a fun book to read, and I really enjoyed it! The illustrations were simple, but elegant and fit the story well! Another great book from Lois Wickstrom!

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an incredible story about the unlikeliest of friends! Both of my kids loved this book, and even though I am far older than the target audience, I really enjoyed reading this as well. Mera seems like the best problem-solver we’ve come across because she tries to find a solution that benefits everyone involved, even a thief! The illustrations are simple but wonderful and really help add that extra depth. Life lessons of forgiveness and second chances run throughout the story. Lois Wickstrom has been a favorite in this household for a very long time, but this one has become one of our most loved picks. I highly recommend picking this up and sharing it with any young ones in your life! It would make an excellent addition to any home, library, or classroom.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another installment in the Kingdom of Mir series and now Wynnie is tasked with helping the King find his missing golden goblet. But there's a catch, Wynnie knows exactly where the goblet is and who took it. Can Wynnie help the King see that the "thief" can actually help him and be an asset...even though she accidentally caught the castle on fire in an earlier story and has now stolen from the King? This is a really cute story about figuring about problems by asking the right questions and helping people see things from different perspectives. The illustrations are different from what you are used to seeing but they really fit the story and are cute.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King’s Gold is part of the Kingdom of Mir series, but it doesn’t really need to be read in any order. The characters of Wynnie, the king, and Mera are all re-introduced in a way that doesn’t require us to have read the other books. This book contains themes great for child readers, such as asking questions before jumping to conclusions, second chances, and forgiveness. Wynnie is the king’s advisor and helps him slow down and gather the facts before making rash decisions. She finds a way for Mera to remain in the kingdom, once again, and finding a way for her to be useful to all. The illustrations are not amazing, but they are unique and capture the feelings of the characters.

[Wendy Tanguay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book that tells a great story, but also makes children think and look at things in new ways. When the king’s golden goblet goes missing the king tasks his advisor Wynnie with finding it. What the king does not know is that Wynnie’s dragon Mera has the goblet and is drinking out of it. Wynnie has to figure out what questions she can ask the king that will allow her to keep her dragon and keep the peace. I also liked the message when Wynnie asked the king if he could ever become friends with a thief and he said that a friend was better than an enemy. I am now going to go back and read the other books of the series to see how Wynnie got Mera.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always adore books written by this author. She does such a great job of balancing teaching kids important lessons in a fun engaging way that children enjoy. In this tale the king has lost his goblet and has asked his advisor Wynnie to help find it and punish the thief responsible. Wynnie is torn, because she knows her dragon has the goblet and will not want to give it up, but she also knows the king is angry and wants to punish the thief who took it. Wynnie has to use her diplomacy skills to help both the king and her dragon come to a compromise. This is a very sweet story that children of all ages will find fun with a positive message.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Lois Wickstrom! In this story, the King's goblet is missing. He tasks Wynnie, his young advisor, to locate it. Wynnie pretty much already suspected where it was and she quickly found the goblet. Before she'd let the King have it back, she asked a series of questions and established a new relationship between the King and a thief.

This is a great story to read aloud or have read to you. Kids will love the dragon and the story!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story by an author that I have enjoyed from the first book I picked up. This is a story about Wynnie and her dragon. Someone stole the king's goblet and Wynnie knows who did it. She now needs to find a way to let the king know who it is without making anyone mad at her. This is a story that has a learning aspect to it presented in a fun way. The story is full of colorful illustrations that will keep your child engaged. I think that any child would enjoy reading this book. I highly recommend it.

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King has called upon his Advisor Wynnie, someone has stolen his golden goblet and he wants Wynnie to find the thief.

As soon as Wynnie sees a picture of the goblet in question, she knows exactly who has stolen it, her dragon Mera.

So Wynnie now needs to work out which questions to ask the King so that Mera doesn't get into trouble and a solution can be found which benefits both of them, can she do this and temper the King's anger?

This is another story about collaboration and finding solutions put in a fun filled story for all ages.

[Rhonda Pulk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King’s Gold (The Kingdom of Mir) by Lois Wickstrum
5 Star Review
This is a story about a missing goblet belonging to a gold loving king. The king asks Wynnie to help find who stole it. As soon as she saw the picture, she knew who had stolen it.
This story is well written and teaches a lesson about compromise and forgiveness. The story is easy to read and just the right length to hold the attention of younger children. I look forward to sharing it with the little ones in my life.

[Enchanted Owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The king has lost his golden goblet and wants his Royal Advisor, Wynnie, to find it. Before the messenger arrives, Wynnie is reprimanding her dragon, Mera, for something that she did.
This is a cute little book that teaches forgiveness, owning up to one’s mistakes and friendships happen in the most unlikely ways. The illustrations were wonderful and had very vibrant colors that keeps little ones interested in the story.
Easy read before nap time or bedtime.

[Trina Bagley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The king has lost his golden goblet and needs help from Wynnie, his Royal Advisor, to find it. However, she notices that her dragon, Mera, is eating from a new gold dish. Mera found the goblet and wants to keep it. It’s up to Wynnie to persuade Mera to give back the goblet and for the king to forgive Mera.
This was a cute story about forgiveness and making friends. The illustrations were colorful.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book with The King and Wynnie. I love seeing their friendship, The King seems to have become a little more understanding since accepting Mera. Once again Mera causes trouble but The King with Wynnie’s help learns to use Mera to protect his gold while also allowing Mera to fulfill her dream of being near the gold. I look forward to more stories with The King, Wynnie and Mera.

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read to my 20 month old granddaughter and she loves to listen to the stories. While I read she looks at the pictures.

Today we read this one and she loved it. When we finished she wanted me to read it again. She seems to be enjoying this story alot. Check it out for your little ones and I am sure they will too.

[Ayla Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always love a fun read with Lois Wickstrom and she never disappoints. Nostalgic illustrations that I love this little series for and a fun but important story that teaches life lessons. This one is about not taking things that don’t belong to you and reaching compromises that make you a new best friend while keeping everything and everyone safe. Can’t wait for my next read by this author.

[Lydia Pelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a beautifully illustrated book. The art work is colorful and unique. The story has such a good lesson about making friends in unexpected ways. My daughter adored the dragon. I loved that the questions asked to the king was such a unique way to solve the mystery but also teaching a really needed lesson.

[Kelli Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author never disappoints in her stories. This one is about not taking things that do not belong to you, As always, the illustrations are wonderful and the story is teaching and entertaining at the same time. Kids of all ages will enjoy this book.

[Dawn Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story about a dragon and a king. The king asks Wynnie to help find who stole it. As soon as she saw the picture, she knew who had stolen it. This story is well written and teaches kids about compromise and forgiveness, instead of getting angry.

[Ash Bash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was very cute and a nice story to teach children about honesty and integrity. The child hearing it will understand that there is value and reward in telling the truth. I love the illustrations as well, the pictures are beautifully drawn.

[Ashley Peña · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always liked the way this author writes, and this one is another one that did not disappoint. Such a fun story about a king and his missing goblet, this book was full of some really great illustrations. We loved reading this book!!

[S. Lynn Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cute book by this Author that shares a valuable lesson. This book teaches us the importance of forgiveness and friendship.

Same fun and unique illustrations as “Showdown at Recess”. My kids and I rather enjoyed the King and his sass that seemed to come alive!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lois Wickstrom doesn't disappointed- engaging yet morally pleasing story that will delight the young and old alike. It made me wish I had a pet dragon! Well worth the read.

[Rebecca Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King’s Gold (Kingdom of Mir) by Lois Wickstrom is a cute story about a dragon, a king, and an advisor. Teaches kids that you need to ask questions to find the real answers.

[Ninoushka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the illustration and how Winnie helped advise the king through the right questions after his goblet was stolen, loved the ending and the lesson taught at the end.