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If I Were King
A picture book about the importance of home and family from the fantastic illustrator Chelsea O’Byrne.
Thomas is fed up with his annoying family. He has been stuck inside with them for ages and he can’t even escape into his books without his annoying little brother distracting him.
“If I were a king, I would be in charge! No more eggs and toast for breakfast, I’d eat CAKE! I would read books all day long, and wear a glittering gold crown that I’d never take off.”
But after a night of particularly strong wishing, he wakes up a king and can do anything he wants! Living in the castle are all the other children who had the same wish. Things are fun at first but, even though he is allowed cake for breakfast, it doesn’t seem as fun as if he could share it with his naughty little brother.
This is a heartwarming story about the power of imagination and the even greater power of home.
Thomas is fed up with his annoying family. He has been stuck inside with them for ages and he can’t even escape into his books without his annoying little brother distracting him.
“If I were a king, I would be in charge! No more eggs and toast for breakfast, I’d eat CAKE! I would read books all day long, and wear a glittering gold crown that I’d never take off.”
But after a night of particularly strong wishing, he wakes up a king and can do anything he wants! Living in the castle are all the other children who had the same wish. Things are fun at first but, even though he is allowed cake for breakfast, it doesn’t seem as fun as if he could share it with his naughty little brother.
This is a heartwarming story about the power of imagination and the even greater power of home.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published September 21, 2021
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 19, 2022
4★
“There was once a boy named Thomas who lived in a regular house, had a regular life, and was quite unhappy.”
This is a beautifully illustrated book. I love the colours, the pictures, and the quirky details.
“He always ate the same old breakfast, he never got to wear what he wanted, and he always had to be patient with his little brother.”
Sound familiar? Sounds like most families I know. Even without little brothers and sister, even for grown-ups, there are times we’re tired of the same old same old. Like many of us, he loses himself in books and dreams big!
“For breakfast I’d eat cake!”
Ah delicious! Little brother makes a nuisance of himself at bedtime, so when our hero goes to bed, he is fixated on his dream to be king. Imagine his surprise when he wakes up to find it’s true!
“In the morning, Thomas woke up in a bed that was certainly not his regular bed in his regular house. This bed was full of toys!”
Perfect! And the breakfast table was piled high with goodies, more than enough for him and all of the other children who were also wearing crowns and could do exactly as they pleased. They stuffed themselves so silly on the pastries and ice cream that they had to be carried out of the hall!
“After breakfast, the queasy queens and kings made their way outside for a round of mini golf. The golf course was amazing, but there was one problem.
Everybody wanted to be the winner.”
Yes, well, that happens doesn’t it? The same thing happened later, so he went in search of a book to escape and make himself feel better. But it didn’t really work. A cat came to his room to talk to him and ask if he wanted more cake.
“‘No, thank you. I’ve had enough cake. I was just thinking about my old house and how quiet it is. ‘”
Poor kid, and he says his crown is too heavy and there are too many toys to choose from. The cat sits and listens while he talks about his home, his little brother . . . and you can see where this is going, can’t you?
“Eventually, the sun went down and Thomas and the cat fell asleep. For the first time all day, there was peace and quiet in the castle.”
No prize for guessing where he wakes up, smelling the toast and realising his crown was gone.
“King Thomas had never been happier to be his regular self, in his regular house.”
I’d give this five stars for the illustrations and the moral of the story – be thankful for what you have, and be careful what you wish for. However, the illustrations far outweigh the story, since there are no little twists or surprises, but it’s a great book to read with children because there so many details for them to find. There are colours to name, shapes to identify, and items to track from one page to the next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto’s Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for the lovely copy for review.
“There was once a boy named Thomas who lived in a regular house, had a regular life, and was quite unhappy.”
This is a beautifully illustrated book. I love the colours, the pictures, and the quirky details.
“He always ate the same old breakfast, he never got to wear what he wanted, and he always had to be patient with his little brother.”
Sound familiar? Sounds like most families I know. Even without little brothers and sister, even for grown-ups, there are times we’re tired of the same old same old. Like many of us, he loses himself in books and dreams big!
“For breakfast I’d eat cake!”
Ah delicious! Little brother makes a nuisance of himself at bedtime, so when our hero goes to bed, he is fixated on his dream to be king. Imagine his surprise when he wakes up to find it’s true!
“In the morning, Thomas woke up in a bed that was certainly not his regular bed in his regular house. This bed was full of toys!”
Perfect! And the breakfast table was piled high with goodies, more than enough for him and all of the other children who were also wearing crowns and could do exactly as they pleased. They stuffed themselves so silly on the pastries and ice cream that they had to be carried out of the hall!
“After breakfast, the queasy queens and kings made their way outside for a round of mini golf. The golf course was amazing, but there was one problem.
Everybody wanted to be the winner.”
Yes, well, that happens doesn’t it? The same thing happened later, so he went in search of a book to escape and make himself feel better. But it didn’t really work. A cat came to his room to talk to him and ask if he wanted more cake.
“‘No, thank you. I’ve had enough cake. I was just thinking about my old house and how quiet it is. ‘”
Poor kid, and he says his crown is too heavy and there are too many toys to choose from. The cat sits and listens while he talks about his home, his little brother . . . and you can see where this is going, can’t you?
“Eventually, the sun went down and Thomas and the cat fell asleep. For the first time all day, there was peace and quiet in the castle.”
No prize for guessing where he wakes up, smelling the toast and realising his crown was gone.
“King Thomas had never been happier to be his regular self, in his regular house.”
I’d give this five stars for the illustrations and the moral of the story – be thankful for what you have, and be careful what you wish for. However, the illustrations far outweigh the story, since there are no little twists or surprises, but it’s a great book to read with children because there so many details for them to find. There are colours to name, shapes to identify, and items to track from one page to the next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto’s Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for the lovely copy for review.
November 8, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
If I were king is a beautiful, illustrated children's book about not taking things for granted.
Thomas is a regular boy who lives in a regular house with his family. He has the same breakfast every day, does the same activities and gets annoyed with his baby brother. He wishes he could be a king and luce in a castle where he could do anything he wants when he wants. Thomas wishes that hard that he awakes the next day to find its come true. But as the day goes on, Thomas begins to realise that its not all he thought it would be and craves his old life and family.
This is a great book with a great moral to be learned for children.
If I were king is a beautiful, illustrated children's book about not taking things for granted.
Thomas is a regular boy who lives in a regular house with his family. He has the same breakfast every day, does the same activities and gets annoyed with his baby brother. He wishes he could be a king and luce in a castle where he could do anything he wants when he wants. Thomas wishes that hard that he awakes the next day to find its come true. But as the day goes on, Thomas begins to realise that its not all he thought it would be and craves his old life and family.
This is a great book with a great moral to be learned for children.
September 16, 2021
This heartwarming book will turn hearts toward home. It emphasizes the importance of home and family to each and every one of us.
Thomas has had it with his family. His little brother is a pain and he gets no relief from this irritation when he wants to be left alone and read his books in peace. He is ever so frustrated and exclaims:
“If I were a king, I would be in charge! No more eggs and toast for breakfast, I’d eat CAKE! I would read books all day long, and wear a glittering gold crown that I’d never take off.”
Be careful what you wish for Thomas. The next morning he wakes up to find that he indeed is a King. He is wearing a flowing red robe and a glittering golden crown on his head. He is in charge! Hurray! He discovers that during the night he has magically been transported to a real castle and that all the kids living there are like-minded and want to be in charge too.
At first Thomas is ecstatic...Yahoooooo! He can do exactly what he wants and likes. He can eat all the cake he desires, read all the books he loves, and his pesky little brother is nowhere around to bug him. Utopia! But soon reality settles in and Thomas longs for the familiarity of his family and his home. Will he be able to make his way back to reclaim the love and security he finds there once again?
The illustrations are very colourful, detailed and kid-friendly. I love them. The book's message is inspiring as it highlights "the power of imagination and the even greater power of home."
I highly recommend this book.
Thomas has had it with his family. His little brother is a pain and he gets no relief from this irritation when he wants to be left alone and read his books in peace. He is ever so frustrated and exclaims:
“If I were a king, I would be in charge! No more eggs and toast for breakfast, I’d eat CAKE! I would read books all day long, and wear a glittering gold crown that I’d never take off.”
Be careful what you wish for Thomas. The next morning he wakes up to find that he indeed is a King. He is wearing a flowing red robe and a glittering golden crown on his head. He is in charge! Hurray! He discovers that during the night he has magically been transported to a real castle and that all the kids living there are like-minded and want to be in charge too.
At first Thomas is ecstatic...Yahoooooo! He can do exactly what he wants and likes. He can eat all the cake he desires, read all the books he loves, and his pesky little brother is nowhere around to bug him. Utopia! But soon reality settles in and Thomas longs for the familiarity of his family and his home. Will he be able to make his way back to reclaim the love and security he finds there once again?
The illustrations are very colourful, detailed and kid-friendly. I love them. The book's message is inspiring as it highlights "the power of imagination and the even greater power of home."
I highly recommend this book.
September 5, 2021
A heartwarming story in the vein of Where the Wild Things Are -- a boy wants to get away from his annoying family and wishes he were King, only to discover that his wishing was strong enough to come true! He enjoys (for awhile) life as a King, getting to eat whatever he wants, do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. The illustrations are soft and dreamy and celebrate the power of imagination. I think many children will be able to see themselves in this story and wish they could live in a fantasy land such as this.
The boy soon discovers, though, that having the life he thought he would love isn't as special and nice without his family to share it with. It's a nice bookend to have "King Thomas" return home and feel happy to be is regular self again, spending time with his younger brother, but it doesn't feel heavy-handed. It's a feel-good ending that is earned.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Quarto Kids. Opinions are my own.
The boy soon discovers, though, that having the life he thought he would love isn't as special and nice without his family to share it with. It's a nice bookend to have "King Thomas" return home and feel happy to be is regular self again, spending time with his younger brother, but it doesn't feel heavy-handed. It's a feel-good ending that is earned.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Quarto Kids. Opinions are my own.
September 10, 2021
A "careful what you wish for" fable about a boy fed up with his everyday annoyances and wishing to be king. Granted his wish, he realizes that there is a lot to appreciate about his home and family and goes back a bit wiser.
The illustrations are very lively and detailed. There's a lot in the pictures to identify and discuss. This would be a relatable tale for preschool - early elementary kids and could spark interesting conversations about what they would change in their lives if they were in charge and what unexpected results might occur.
Note for US readers: there's small but noticeable bits of UK/Commonwealth English that may need clarification for young readers.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
The illustrations are very lively and detailed. There's a lot in the pictures to identify and discuss. This would be a relatable tale for preschool - early elementary kids and could spark interesting conversations about what they would change in their lives if they were in charge and what unexpected results might occur.
Note for US readers: there's small but noticeable bits of UK/Commonwealth English that may need clarification for young readers.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
September 16, 2021
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It is really great! It is a children's picture book with comprehensive and unique illustrations and a lot of easy to read text, which shows the story of a young boy called Thomas who wants to have a life as a King, since he is bored with his own life and his family. How will he feel though once he really is a King? Will he love it or will he wish he was back in his normal life with his family? The book will show children that the grass isn't always greener on the other side and that they should appreciate their family and all that they have at home. The book touched my heart and it made me smile. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2022
'If I Were King' with story and art by Chelsea O'Byrne is a picture book about a young boy who imagines more for his life and the trouble he finds when he gets it.
Young Thomas leads a perfectly ordinary life, but tires of never getting to choose his meals or clothes. He dreams of a life where he can do what he wants and wakes up in a castle. Now he has it all, but everyone else in the castle is also a king or queen trying to make their own choices.
I liked this story of a young boy who gets exactly what he wants and realizes what he actually had. The story is fun as are the illustrations.
Young Thomas leads a perfectly ordinary life, but tires of never getting to choose his meals or clothes. He dreams of a life where he can do what he wants and wakes up in a castle. Now he has it all, but everyone else in the castle is also a king or queen trying to make their own choices.
I liked this story of a young boy who gets exactly what he wants and realizes what he actually had. The story is fun as are the illustrations.
September 10, 2021
A reasonable look at a 'be careful what you wish for' scenario – lots of people in this world can enter a kingdom where they're all the kings or queens of the place (even people in wheelchairs), but for our young Thomas it's a bit of a step too far from the norm he's used to. The artwork is lively, with the currently fashionable peculiar use of perspective, and the story, which doesn't force its moral down anyone's throat, is a pleasant thing, but I don't think the read was as perfectly engaging as it might have been. Three and a half stars, certainly.
October 16, 2021
All Thomas is dreaming about is to be able to do whatever he wants: eat cake for breakfast, read without being disturbed all the time, wear a crown, and enjoy some peace and quiet. Ah, I can so relate to Thomas! :)
The illustrations are very cool, and you can spend a lot of time browsing on a page because there are several small details hidden in the pictures. The text is just the right amount but the letters could be somewhat bigger. A great children's book, my daughter enjoyed reading it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the Advance Review Copy.
The illustrations are very cool, and you can spend a lot of time browsing on a page because there are several small details hidden in the pictures. The text is just the right amount but the letters could be somewhat bigger. A great children's book, my daughter enjoyed reading it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the Advance Review Copy.
October 26, 2021
I absolutely loved If I Were King! If I Were King tells the story of Thomas who is tired of everything in his life and wishes he could be a King so that he can do whatever he wants. When Thomas gets that wish, it doesn’t go quite as he had hoped. I loved this book and the lesson it taught. The illustrations are beautiful. I think this book would be a great addition to anyone’s library. I highly recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity and read this book. (My review is also on Goodreads.)
August 18, 2025
A cute, little children's book about a boy who wants to read all day but he had a regular life. He always had to eat the same old breakfast, never got to wear what he wanted and had to be patient with his little brother. He liked to read fairy tales. He dreamed that he was a king. He could eat whatever he wanted, wear whatever he wanted and play whatever he wanted. The problem was that whenever he wanted to play miniature golf, everybody wanted to be the winner.
Colorful illustrations. Third or fourth grade reading level.
Colorful illustrations. Third or fourth grade reading level.
September 13, 2021
Although I did think the art for this picture book was pretty and whimsical, I do not think it's doing anything brand new with the premise of a spoiled kid gets to experience what he wants and learns a lesson. I think not enough time was set up to make the point feel earned, or to make an impact. I would say that this is a perfectly suitable story and the art is sweet, but it just does nothing amazing.
September 10, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books for a free digital copy.
This is a wonderful and happy little book about a boy being granted his wish and becoming king for a day, but then realizing his real life was better than his fantasy. I do appreciate his love of reading.
This is a wonderful and happy little book about a boy being granted his wish and becoming king for a day, but then realizing his real life was better than his fantasy. I do appreciate his love of reading.
October 3, 2021
"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I liked how the character was able to "experience" his dream reality and realize that his actual life was pretty great. This is a good option for kids that are resenting the realities of everyday life.
I liked how the character was able to "experience" his dream reality and realize that his actual life was pretty great. This is a good option for kids that are resenting the realities of everyday life.
November 10, 2021
Everybody always wants to be something they are not, seeing other's grass greener. As well as Thomas. Sharing things with his younger brother is OK, but not if he take it without permission. And breakfast is so mundane that Thomas wishes for more.
Here is a story of "What ifs" from a child's perspective,
Here is a story of "What ifs" from a child's perspective,
Read
March 22, 2024A moral that's very commonly seen... like in Click or The Midnight Library, where the mc gets to see what his life would be like if he got what he wanted and it turns out much worse than his actual life and he starts to appreciate his life more.
The last page seems to imply two women in the kitchen... is it lgbt?
The last page seems to imply two women in the kitchen... is it lgbt?
October 20, 2021
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
A story about learning to appreciate what you have, even when it's not perfect. A good lesson for children. The story flowed well and the pictures were detailed. At times it got a bit too busy but otherwise pretty good.
A story about learning to appreciate what you have, even when it's not perfect. A good lesson for children. The story flowed well and the pictures were detailed. At times it got a bit too busy but otherwise pretty good.
Want to read
September 15, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
October 12, 2021
Very short read with nice art. What this lacked was more character arc. There wasn't enough to convince me of his transformational journey.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews