Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, wrote the book based on a poem she penned on father’s day. The poem was inspired by the thoughts she had watching her husband Prince Harry interact with their son Archie. The former “Suits” actress calls it the relationship a father has with their children told through a mother’s eyes.
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Meghan Markle’s First Children Book is off to a Good Start
Meghan Markle’s illustrated book for children “The Bench” is now the number one book on the New York Times bestsellers list in the children’s picture books category. The listing will reportedly appear in the June 27 edition of the Times.
“While this poem began as a love letter to my husband and son, I’m encouraged to see that its universal themes of love, representation and inclusivity are resonating with communities everywhere,” said Markle, 39, in a statement shared online. “In many ways, pursuing a more compassionate and equitable world begins with these core values. Equally, to depict another side of masculinity — one grounded in connection, emotion, and softness — is to model a world that so many would like to see for their sons and daughters alike. Thank you for supporting me in this special project.”
The book was released earlier this month and features illustrations from award winning illustrator Christian Robinson. Meghan provides the narration of the audio version.
The Duchess worked on the book when she was already pregnant with her daughter. The poem itself was penned on Father’s Day, a month after the birth of her first child.
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The picture book is published by Random House Children’s Books and aims to provide an insight into the bond between a father and a son, and in a way celebrating the relationship Prince Harry shares with their son Archie.
“From here you will rest / see the growth of our boy” a paragraph from the book reads, alongside a picture of a black man with dreads, hugging his son.
The book is multicultural and showcases families from different colors and backgrounds, from a light-skinned soldier returning from Afghanistan (probably a nod to Harry who served in Afghanistan) to a boy and his father wearing pink tutus.
In the book’s press release, Meghan is called “a mother, wife, feminist, and activist” who “currently resides in her home state of California with her family, two dogs, and a growing flock of rescue chickens.”
In the book’s cover, she was described as a person dedicated to “activating compassion in communities across the world.”
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Meghan Markle on Working with Award-winning Artist for Her Debut Book’s Illustration
For her first children’s book, Meghan worked with Caldecott Medal-winning artist Christian Robinson to bring her inspiration to life in the pages of the picture book.
“Christian layered in beautiful and ethereal watercolor illustrations that capture the warmth, joy, and comfort of the relationship between fathers and sons from all walks of life; this representation was particularly important to me, and Christian and I worked closely to depict this special bond through an inclusive lens,” Meghan said in the statement.
The final illustration shows Harry and Archie, now a toddler, at the family’s chicken coop. Meghan is pictured in the garden on the opposite page, wearing a sun hat and holding a baby on a sling.
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While I was reading the words in my heart I could hear Megan’s voice but I also can feel pain ( NOT ENVY OR JEALOUSY ) actual pain deep in her own heart that she she could have only had just a little piece of what Harry and little Archie were bonding that very second that she could of just a piece of that instead of the rejection from him . And if that wasn’t enough all the back lash from his other kids the poor girl grew up never quite knowing just where or how she fit into an already dodgy functioning family. And seeing Harry with their son and all this love just exsuberTing all over the place and all the bonding they were having was making her heart just so full with love for her husband and child . I think she has proved herself as a wonder writer wife and Mom .. Fantastic Job Weghan
You must be objective towards them. Anybody with sensitivity and love would not give an interview with Winfrey and talk the way they did…it was a private matter and the problem is that their reality is obviously one that they alone live in. Sensitivity and caring has decorum attached to it, and neither one of them have that…would you do what they did? And at the time his grandfather was seriously ill. And also to his grandmother who was grieving for her very ill husband of 72 yrs.? Who does this? People who stopped growing mentally and emotionally and are stuck in their teenage yrs..they need to grow. Mental issues…no I won’t believe that…she is a smart woman and knows better than to stew in her own soup…there is help and was for her…after all, Harry is involved in mental health…at their age, there has been so much available to seek help…and she was not turned down..I will bet she never told anybody if it is true….and Harry? He needs to get help, psycho analysis to put closure on is mother’s death or he won’t grow into an adult. He isn’t one now.
When you hear things repeatedly from different people, you know that at least half of it is true..but when you hear friends talk about Meagan interview after interview and the way she dismissed her family from her life? Doesn’t that say something to you? Beware because unless you view any given situation, people can take advantage of this Innocent nieve personality…just my view only
Oh here we go again!!!! Crazy Meg has a new PR firm. We can no doubt expect to see "that woman's" face continue to be planted in the press as much as they possibly can to try and clean up her reputation..it 's obvious the tack this firm is taking. Good luck!!!! She probably paid a bundle for publicity to have her, (bin material) book, toted as a best seller??? More lies she thinks a discerning public will believe. Crazy Meg will never give up promoting herself …she has no shame, a gigantic ego and a colossal nerve.