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The Bench
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 Duchess’s debut children’s book gives us 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 comfort and nurture.
Working in watercolor 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.
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 Duchess’s debut children’s book gives us 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 comfort and nurture.
Working in watercolor 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.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 8, 2021
27 people are currently reading
2139 people want to read
About the author
Meghan Markle
2 books109 followersMeghan, The Duchess of Sussex, is a mother, wife, feminist, and activist. Through the nonprofit work of Archewell Foundation, she and her husband are committed to activating compassion in communities across the world. She currently resides in her home state of California with her family, two dogs and a growing flock of rescue chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews
July 18, 2021
So so so cute!!
————-
So, I'm a serious proponent of not rating books you haven't read - I even have an entire separate shelf to avoid this - but I'm making an exception because I'm so sick and tired of the cruelty Meghan Markle receives for literally anything and everything she does.
I saw one reviewer give a one-star and say that she shouldn't be in the public eye or use her royal title, but she's literally married to the Duke of Sussex. She will have that title as long as she's married. And if she didn't use her title I know there would be people commenting "now she thinks she's too good to use her title?"
Not everyone is going to like someone/something, yeah that's life. But so many of these reviews are just hateful and cruel out of jealousy. I just can’t understand it. And yet the same people will praise the floor other royals walk-on who have said and done much worse things than Meghan ever has. This is literally a CHILDREN'S BOOK. Grow up.
** If you just didn’t like this book, this review is not about you!!
————-
So, I'm a serious proponent of not rating books you haven't read - I even have an entire separate shelf to avoid this - but I'm making an exception because I'm so sick and tired of the cruelty Meghan Markle receives for literally anything and everything she does.
I saw one reviewer give a one-star and say that she shouldn't be in the public eye or use her royal title, but she's literally married to the Duke of Sussex. She will have that title as long as she's married. And if she didn't use her title I know there would be people commenting "now she thinks she's too good to use her title?"
Not everyone is going to like someone/something, yeah that's life. But so many of these reviews are just hateful and cruel out of jealousy. I just can’t understand it. And yet the same people will praise the floor other royals walk-on who have said and done much worse things than Meghan ever has. This is literally a CHILDREN'S BOOK. Grow up.
** If you just didn’t like this book, this review is not about you!!
June 21, 2021
I wish I had a time machine.
I would go back in time and gift this book to Meghan's father. Then he could read it to his daughter and they could spend some quality time together. Maybe they had a better relationship then. Oh... my bad. It is about the bond between a father and a son. Maybe Meghan should write a letter to the publisher why there are only fathers and sons in this book. There are as many mothers as fathers and as many daughters as sons out there. Why doesn't the female gender find consideration?
(Okay, not everyone appreciates this kind of humor.)
Back to my review...
The book has been published two weeks ago, but according to some comments it is unforgivable not to review a book immediately after reading. Sometimes a book flashes you and you simply want to enjoy it a little longer without talking about it. This is no such book.
In short:
To write a review
I'm in no mood.
All I can say is
the book wasn't good.
My first impression was: what did I just read? There wasn't a story - at all. I expected themes for children like going to bed, brushing teeth, little siblings, playing with friends, move to an other city. Something a little child can relate to. This book is not aimed at children. Instead the addressee of this book is a father (it says "your bench" and "your son" repeatedly). I don't think children need such a book. They don't think about color or race or other differences. As long as they have fun playing together everything is fine. It is the parents that say don't play with this child it's a different color or wearing a tutu as a boy isn't "normal" or manly.
The book claims to be for children when in fact it is written for parents especially fathers or parents-to-be. For me it is missing the mark concerning the audience.
Let's talk about the poems and the illustrations. I understand why it is written as a poem. Children like rhymes, but it has to be done in a good way. A poem is melodic and sometimes the voice sounds like singing not reading. This isn't the case here, it is written in a doggerel verse and sounds jolty. The illustrator does a great job in coming up with different situations and people, even though the poems don't add much to it. The style of the illustrations is not really my cup of tea, but that is just my personal taste.
What I have issues with is "the many ways that love can take shape and be expressed in a modern family". What is a modern family? A mother, a father and at least one child? Sounds very traditional to me. I know the book is about the relationship between father and son through a mother's eye. But not every child has such a family. There are different family concepts out there. The child of a divorced couple with two moms and two dads. The child of a homosexual couple with two moms or two dads. The child with only one mom or one dad because the other parent died. The child that lives with foster parents. While the book is inclusive and diverse in some parts, there are a lot of people left out.
All in all this book wasn't for me.
Apparently this book is about a father and his son and the endless possibilities in their relationship or the boy's development.
Harry and Meghan are the perfect role models for one possibility: you can always ditch your father. That makes me wonder what Archie will do in the future? 🤔
"Honi soit qui mal y pense."
This whole book has a hypocritical taste to it.
Side note:
For someone who quit the royal business Meghan uses her royal name quite prominent.
I would go back in time and gift this book to Meghan's father. Then he could read it to his daughter and they could spend some quality time together. Maybe they had a better relationship then. Oh... my bad. It is about the bond between a father and a son. Maybe Meghan should write a letter to the publisher why there are only fathers and sons in this book. There are as many mothers as fathers and as many daughters as sons out there. Why doesn't the female gender find consideration?
(Okay, not everyone appreciates this kind of humor.)
Back to my review...
The book has been published two weeks ago, but according to some comments it is unforgivable not to review a book immediately after reading. Sometimes a book flashes you and you simply want to enjoy it a little longer without talking about it. This is no such book.
In short:
To write a review
I'm in no mood.
All I can say is
the book wasn't good.
My first impression was: what did I just read? There wasn't a story - at all. I expected themes for children like going to bed, brushing teeth, little siblings, playing with friends, move to an other city. Something a little child can relate to. This book is not aimed at children. Instead the addressee of this book is a father (it says "your bench" and "your son" repeatedly). I don't think children need such a book. They don't think about color or race or other differences. As long as they have fun playing together everything is fine. It is the parents that say don't play with this child it's a different color or wearing a tutu as a boy isn't "normal" or manly.
The book claims to be for children when in fact it is written for parents especially fathers or parents-to-be. For me it is missing the mark concerning the audience.
Let's talk about the poems and the illustrations. I understand why it is written as a poem. Children like rhymes, but it has to be done in a good way. A poem is melodic and sometimes the voice sounds like singing not reading. This isn't the case here, it is written in a doggerel verse and sounds jolty. The illustrator does a great job in coming up with different situations and people, even though the poems don't add much to it. The style of the illustrations is not really my cup of tea, but that is just my personal taste.
What I have issues with is "the many ways that love can take shape and be expressed in a modern family". What is a modern family? A mother, a father and at least one child? Sounds very traditional to me. I know the book is about the relationship between father and son through a mother's eye. But not every child has such a family. There are different family concepts out there. The child of a divorced couple with two moms and two dads. The child of a homosexual couple with two moms or two dads. The child with only one mom or one dad because the other parent died. The child that lives with foster parents. While the book is inclusive and diverse in some parts, there are a lot of people left out.
All in all this book wasn't for me.
Apparently this book is about a father and his son and the endless possibilities in their relationship or the boy's development.
Harry and Meghan are the perfect role models for one possibility: you can always ditch your father. That makes me wonder what Archie will do in the future? 🤔
"Honi soit qui mal y pense."
This whole book has a hypocritical taste to it.
Side note:
For someone who quit the royal business Meghan uses her royal name quite prominent.
June 20, 2021
"Meghan Markle’s fun-free children’s book may put an entire generation off reading.
Yes, parents will buy it. But the intended audience for the Duchess of Sussex's literary debut prefers silliness and being scared to sermons."
Simple stories for children should not butcher a language they are trying to learn. Picture books should help children to read, and use the words they hear around them, not put things back to front in a poor effort at forcing a nonexistent rhyme.
The text is embarrassing. It seems half the people in the world have a child or a grandchild and suddenly think they can write a children's literary masterpiece. They can't. If this is as much as a Big Five editor could improve the writing, I shudder to think what it was like in its original form.
The illustrations look like Harry did them. When he was in kindergarten. There's certainly nothing here to engage the book's supposed audience: children.
What people defending this book don't understand is that real authors work on their craft for years, earn very little, and have very few opportunities. They certainly never jump the queue.
The Bench is rumoured to have come with an advance creeping towards a million dollars. That's hundreds of thousands of dollars that could have been invested in far better books, and in careers for far more deserving authors. Books that wouldn't tank on release day.
This is awful from start to finish.
Yes, parents will buy it. But the intended audience for the Duchess of Sussex's literary debut prefers silliness and being scared to sermons."
Simple stories for children should not butcher a language they are trying to learn. Picture books should help children to read, and use the words they hear around them, not put things back to front in a poor effort at forcing a nonexistent rhyme.
The text is embarrassing. It seems half the people in the world have a child or a grandchild and suddenly think they can write a children's literary masterpiece. They can't. If this is as much as a Big Five editor could improve the writing, I shudder to think what it was like in its original form.
The illustrations look like Harry did them. When he was in kindergarten. There's certainly nothing here to engage the book's supposed audience: children.
What people defending this book don't understand is that real authors work on their craft for years, earn very little, and have very few opportunities. They certainly never jump the queue.
The Bench is rumoured to have come with an advance creeping towards a million dollars. That's hundreds of thousands of dollars that could have been invested in far better books, and in careers for far more deserving authors. Books that wouldn't tank on release day.
This is awful from start to finish.
June 8, 2021
What a wonderful tribute to fathers and sons! There are lovely illustrations involved on each page, painting various fathers and sons going about their day. The text is short and sweet embodying the precious relationships found around the world.
Highly recommended! 5/5
Highly recommended! 5/5
May 25, 2021
I read this with an open mind given the author's own non relationship with her own father and father in law.
I wish I hadn't bothered, its almost identical to another book I've already read but with more sugary hypocritical tosh.
There are far better children's books out there.
I've given it 1 star and that's only because the art work is its saving grace
I wish I hadn't bothered, its almost identical to another book I've already read but with more sugary hypocritical tosh.
There are far better children's books out there.
I've given it 1 star and that's only because the art work is its saving grace
May 6, 2022
What in the actual fuck...
Yes, I read all 37 lines.
This whole debacle led me to this discovery:
HG TUDOR
Yes, I read all 37 lines.
This whole debacle led me to this discovery:
HG TUDOR
June 9, 2021
People who are really talented writers struggle to have their work published, yet many celebrities and famous people write insanely stupid books, books that lack any artistic value and their books get published and they make the huge profit out of this. As is the case with this book. People will rush and buy it because it’s written by Duchess of whatever. It tells you a lot about the many flows of our modern age. Keep going this way and Art will be lost forever . I gave this book 1star , because I couldn’t find zero.
May 16, 2021
How can a book for children be suitable for 1 to 7 year olds? A one year old will want bright pictures whereas a 7 year old will be drawn to a book with excitement and a story they can read. In addition, Harry never ever ever served in the American Army, yet he is pictured wearing American Army uniform....if i could give it a zero rating I would. Spend money on worthwhile children´s books like Julia Donaldson, JK Rowling or David Wallams amongst lots of other more suitable reading for children.
June 8, 2021
I’ve read enough of the embarrassing “poem” and I use that word lightly, to know that while Meghan might be smart in the PR department, she is decidedly non-creative and rather a dumb-dumb (even though her heart goes pump pump). The writing is cringe-worthy. Plus, the digs at the royal family - watching the kid ride a bike because dontcha know Harry said he never rode a bike as a child (despite photos to the contrary); daddy will always say I love you because dontcha know Harry’s family is cold and heartless; daddy will let the kid do what he wants because dontcha know Harry had a straitjacket on him. Just one petulant dig after another. When will Meghan and Harry let go of their jealousy and bitterness toward William and Kate? That’s what their bringing down the monarchy is all about. They are such unhappy individuals. And shame on the publisher for publishing this tripe.
June 14, 2021
1.5* review from an Expert Children’s Bookseller.
An added .5* for the artist.
The fact that this has been marketed as a children’s book makes me really angry. No child will get anything from this book - it is a love letter from a wife to her husband as she watches him with their child. A nice gift for a father of young children on Father’s Day, but most certainly not a book for children. There are also some dubious grammatical choices that added nothing to the book.
There are some truly fantastic actual children’s picture books out there by professional and debut authors and illustrators that deserve the spotlight this book has wrongly been given.
*This review is based purely on the merits of the book, and has nothing to do with any personal feelings I may or may not have towards Harry and Meghan, or the royal family.*
An added .5* for the artist.
The fact that this has been marketed as a children’s book makes me really angry. No child will get anything from this book - it is a love letter from a wife to her husband as she watches him with their child. A nice gift for a father of young children on Father’s Day, but most certainly not a book for children. There are also some dubious grammatical choices that added nothing to the book.
There are some truly fantastic actual children’s picture books out there by professional and debut authors and illustrators that deserve the spotlight this book has wrongly been given.
*This review is based purely on the merits of the book, and has nothing to do with any personal feelings I may or may not have towards Harry and Meghan, or the royal family.*
May 7, 2021
Scene from the film "Boogie Nights"
"Wanna hear a poem I wrote?"
"Yeah"
"I love you.
You love me.
Goin' down the sugar tree.
We'll go down the sugar tree
and see lots of bees.
Playing. Playing.
But the bees won't sting
'cause you love me."
"That's f---- great, man. Did you write that??"
"Wanna hear a poem I wrote?"
"Yeah"
"I love you.
You love me.
Goin' down the sugar tree.
We'll go down the sugar tree
and see lots of bees.
Playing. Playing.
But the bees won't sting
'cause you love me."
"That's f---- great, man. Did you write that??"
June 9, 2021
Just awful. There is nothing about this book which suggests an author who understands children or childhood (or for that matter plot, rhyme, grammar or scansion). But then it's all about Meghan's 'brand' isn't it? A brand in which love just means a lucrative, sugary sprinkling of nothingness.
May 22, 2021
Read brief excerpt made available for preview. Thoughtful and sweet poem from a wife to her husband and the father of her child. Just in time for Father’s Day. There’s tons of content for mothers. Always a treat to find father and son content. Also, Meghan is a terrific writer. I’ve read other pieces she’s written for blogs, magazines and newspapers.
June 9, 2021
Drivel. Self indulgent and boring.
February 24, 2022
A nice enough story about fathers and sons sitting on various benches to share a moment together. It's a nice book, a positive book and I like the illustrations. Good to have happiness in family relationships celebrated and lovely to see some rescue hens in this story.
June 14, 2021
Oh boy. This is probably the worst display of entitlement I’ve ever seen. A friendly advice, let’s just leave writing to the experts next time.
Sometimes there is greater value in keeping what is meant to be private - private.
Sometimes there is greater value in keeping what is meant to be private - private.
June 9, 2021
Great job to the illustrator!! However, the text is laughable for Meghan to be called "an author". Bad wording & no storyline. I do believe it's an emotional and rather personal poem she wrote for Harry but it should have been kept that way. Such a project would have never come to life with another author. Yet, I guess it's a great gift if you are a fan of hers :-)
June 7, 2021
Immensely moving
Impossible to read without tears. So poignant. A beautiful book with an adorable sentiment and great pictures. It’s very inclusive. I bought the kindle but will now get the hardcover version.
Impossible to read without tears. So poignant. A beautiful book with an adorable sentiment and great pictures. It’s very inclusive. I bought the kindle but will now get the hardcover version.
June 8, 2021
Lovely Book
The bench is a delightful children's book with illustrations of the myriad of fathers in our diverse world. Short but inspiring. The book highlights the love between a father and his little boy. Great for a bedtime story.
The bench is a delightful children's book with illustrations of the myriad of fathers in our diverse world. Short but inspiring. The book highlights the love between a father and his little boy. Great for a bedtime story.
May 22, 2021
Original and wonderful😘Preorder it to my nephew and niece🥰😘
June 19, 2021
I wanted to love it... especially as it is a book that explores the relationship between a father and their child but I think there are much better children’s books out there that are better written and that are more likely to keep a toddlers/ young children engaged.
The art however is beautiful and it was great to see people from different backgrounds being represented. It’s just a pity that the writing didn’t match as I know how successful Meghan has been in writing previous articles for newspapers/magazines and pieces for her blog. It is a different target audience than what she is used to writing for but I was a bit surprised that this was the end product.
Overall I will be keeping an eye out for more children’s books illustrated by this artist but I’m not sure Meghan has thought about who this book is really for. I think this will perhaps appeal more to adults than children but it didn’t connect with me unfortunately.
The art however is beautiful and it was great to see people from different backgrounds being represented. It’s just a pity that the writing didn’t match as I know how successful Meghan has been in writing previous articles for newspapers/magazines and pieces for her blog. It is a different target audience than what she is used to writing for but I was a bit surprised that this was the end product.
Overall I will be keeping an eye out for more children’s books illustrated by this artist but I’m not sure Meghan has thought about who this book is really for. I think this will perhaps appeal more to adults than children but it didn’t connect with me unfortunately.
June 8, 2021
More stories for dads
Unique and beautiful, great for father's
Love the beautiful art
Love the various benches
Love the story line and simplicity
Unique and beautiful, great for father's
Love the beautiful art
Love the various benches
Love the story line and simplicity
June 8, 2021
A really sweet picture book of fatherhood that’s beautifully written and illustrated.
June 9, 2021
With Love 💝 To Fathers and Sons Everywhere 💖
💎⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Love Love Love all the fathers & sons represented in this super gorgeous picture book 💎⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic illustration 💎⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Every word in the entire 40 pages speak directly to me 💝 In short ~ this book owns me 💖
Since I am not one of the target readers, I need to prove my honest feelings & validity of my exuberant review. Luckily, I live in the city & have enough June book money to buy 10 copies of the hardcover edition. I'll do just that. Then I'll do a simple, non-scientific research.
Find random toddlers and kids, ask their parents if they would take this book and read to them or allow kids who can already read, read it themself. All ten kids can keep their copy and they'll share how/what they feel/think about the book.
My thought? One hundred percent of the kids will love this book. I'll return and share what I find later, right here. Please stay tune❣️
BTW ~ we all know where the sale of all the copies of this loving & lovely book will go❣️ I applaud y'all who have already bought & read it as well as posted your honest reviews.
Love & Peace ☮️
💎⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Love Love Love all the fathers & sons represented in this super gorgeous picture book 💎⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic illustration 💎⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Every word in the entire 40 pages speak directly to me 💝 In short ~ this book owns me 💖
Since I am not one of the target readers, I need to prove my honest feelings & validity of my exuberant review. Luckily, I live in the city & have enough June book money to buy 10 copies of the hardcover edition. I'll do just that. Then I'll do a simple, non-scientific research.
Find random toddlers and kids, ask their parents if they would take this book and read to them or allow kids who can already read, read it themself. All ten kids can keep their copy and they'll share how/what they feel/think about the book.
My thought? One hundred percent of the kids will love this book. I'll return and share what I find later, right here. Please stay tune❣️
BTW ~ we all know where the sale of all the copies of this loving & lovely book will go❣️ I applaud y'all who have already bought & read it as well as posted your honest reviews.
Love & Peace ☮️
June 17, 2021
People are being so garbagey about this book. It is literally a picture book. It's supposed to be sweet and simple and kind. That is WHAT it is going for. The diversity and inclusion is lovely to see.
June 21, 2021
I read this book to figure out why it is so polarising with readers. I am a senior bookseller for Waterstones. I sell and view 100s of picture books a year. The book is nice enough with beautiful illustrations. The writing is simple yet no different to 100s of other picture book you can find. So tell me why there are 100s of 1 star reviews from people who either have not read the book or have pre conceived notions around the book and Meghan herself. It's clear that some people are review bombing this book simply because they do not like her. This behaviour is that of children. Even if I though a book was sub par I would give it a 2 star rating, 1 star reviews should be reserved for books that have no merit at all.
Overall I would recommended this book as a gift for children as it has gorgeous illustrations with simple, yet decent text. People are entitled to buy what they want but please consider the reviews that talk about the books quality. Please ignore the polarising 1 and 5 star reviews that are based on personal options about the author rather than the merit of the book alone.
Overall I would recommended this book as a gift for children as it has gorgeous illustrations with simple, yet decent text. People are entitled to buy what they want but please consider the reviews that talk about the books quality. Please ignore the polarising 1 and 5 star reviews that are based on personal options about the author rather than the merit of the book alone.
June 24, 2021
An inspiring story beautifully illustrated.
June 9, 2021
Very sweet!
March 29, 2022
I read it. It passes in all of a few minutes so good for children who have a short attention span.
Nice rhyming words, quite poetic..
Remarks about her relationship with her father compared to her parenting I find uncalled for really.
She’s a mother in her own right. I’m not sitting on judgement over only what I’ve read about.
I’m concentrating on this book. It ok, there’s been better. It’s far too short. It’s a flash Childrens book that was “nice”
Nice rhyming words, quite poetic..
Remarks about her relationship with her father compared to her parenting I find uncalled for really.
She’s a mother in her own right. I’m not sitting on judgement over only what I’ve read about.
I’m concentrating on this book. It ok, there’s been better. It’s far too short. It’s a flash Childrens book that was “nice”
June 8, 2021
Beautiful! Don’t be fooled by the fake reviews on this and other sites. Trolls that have no life and haven’t read any part of the beautiful book just because they don’t like someone. Meghan did beautifully! The illustrator, Christian did a fantastic job too! I love the book and so did my baby!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews