Ad: Sponsored Post Think You Know the Lives of the Wives?   Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived.

The Six Queens of Henry VIII by Honor Cargill-Martin

Friday, November 29, 2024 BookBairn 1 Comments

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Think You Know the Lives of the Wives? 

Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived.

[And if you’re anything like me you’ll be singing the theme from a very popular musical now! Sorry not sorry about what I said. IYKYK]

The six wives of Henry VIII have captivated history enthusiasts for centuries. Their tumultuous marriages, shocking fates, and the dramatic events of their lives are well-known—often summed up by that infamous rhyme. 

Offering a fresh, and feminist, perspective of the lives of Henry’s six wives, The Six Queens of Henry VIII by Honor Cargill-Martin and illustrated by Jaimee Andrews brings these Queens remarkable stories into the spotlight. I utterly adored reading this book from cover to cover in one sitting. Rather than focusing solely on their tumultuous marriages and infamous fates, the book centres on the women’s achievements, personalities, and political influence.

Each queen is introduced with a colourful fact file, detailing key aspects of her background, motivations, and political alliances. This is followed by a short biography, showcasing her unique personality and role in Tudor history. And what I absolutely love about this book is the creative addition of comic strip style panels, which bring key moments from each wife’s life to vibrant life in an engaging and accessible way. The artwork, bursting with sass, humour, and energy, perfectly complements the text, adding an extra layer of fun while still respecting the historical significance of these women.

For example, did you know that Catherine of Aragon rode in to battle to protect England whilst pregnant? Or that Anne Boleyn, in addition to creating the Church of England, smuggled banned books into the country? Or that Catherine Parr was the first woman to have a book published under her own name. These women were true trailblazers. Each queen’s story is filled with surprising details that will challenge what you think you know about Tudor history.

This book is a fantastic way to introduce younger readers to the stories of these remarkable women, offering a blend of historical facts and comic-style storytelling that will capture their attention and spark their imagination. The vibrant, modern illustrations make it visually appealing, and the humour adds a playful element that makes the subject matter more relatable and less intimidating for kids.

What I love most about this book is how it empowers young readers—especially girls—to learn about the incredible women who were often overshadowed by the men in their lives. 

An exciting introduction to Tudor history, showcasing the Queens’ courage, intelligence and resilience, this is the perfect book for history-buffs, mighty girls and feisty readers!



And, for a limited time, you can win a copy over on Instagram, just click here.


Happy reading,

Kim and the bairns x


Disclaimer: this Ad was paid for by Hachette Childrens.

1 comment:

  1. https://www.amazon.com/Admiral-Penguin-Paul-Yalowitz/dp/1533645485/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3FILXC59T6ONM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.urCHLsyxHh2fQ1CDlhuF2uHvi_5Mr4uKcV1Qqa9L_-bHps4kqWDB5feO-swdLV1ZDVLHUwbMRtHzNLradE15v1-U6N4KfeSAKMeSgC8quzdSXjPWTqNPpZLhFzjAUTKJoVNf6jhlaStXygUwbS6L39rwUL2HM0GHLVitpcIPBp6CB_lwBf0xmxkEJ0GVk6PdE1rJZCcxH-T6TysM4YoRkxAiHkaGsTI0W6ZiuOSEERQ.Fh00ABJXelhbCdFlmxnJ7YNo-NcfiBQcsdLAzZ6NBCk&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+admiral+and+the+penguin&qid=1733061916&sprefix=the+admiral+and+the+penguin%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1

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