“Once upon a time there was a Happy Family…Until one horrible, NO GOOD day, when a new ruler was born…” This is the funniest book. There are many that share a similar message to help kids adjust to new additions to the family, but none as hilarious as “this terrible true story.” The illustrations are of course exceptional. David Roberts creates the best characters and detailed imagery. We linger on every page.

With the story being told from the point of view of the once only child, the “most beautifulest, cleverest, ever-so-kindest Princess with long flowing wondrous hair,” readers quickly come to understand what it feels like when a baby joins the family and perhaps takes a lot of the attention away. No doubt it’s a relatable storyline for many kids, and entertaining for both child and parent. The charming princess who once ruled tells her story through words and illustrations. Roberts represents snippets of real-life moments, which are then recreated as childlike drawings. These pages were a highlight for us, as well as the 70s setting and dress and the adorably cute and hilarious Happily Ever After.

When reading, I was reminded of a story from my own childhood, one that, like His Royal Tinyness, explores the emotions of a child who is not happy about the arrival of a new baby—Nobody Asked Me If I Wanted a Baby Sister, by Martha Alexander. Oliver sets out to find a new home for baby Bonnie. When he thinks he has found a solution, some peace and quiet to play, Bonnie cries and cries and cries some more. She cries for her brother. The look on his face when he realises how great it is to have a sibling, it’s priceless.