THE SIX QUEENS OF HENRY VIII, by Honor Cargill-Martin, Jaimee Andrews, Sourcebooks Explore, Feb. 3, 2026, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
Uncover the truth about the women who married Henry VIII in The Six Queens of Henry VIII, by Honor Cargill-Martin and Jaimee Andrews.
We all know Henry VIII had six wives. But these ladies are FAR too interesting to only be known as wives. Did you know that Catherine of Aragon rallied her troops in full armor while heavily pregnant? Or that it was Catherine Parr who persuaded the king to return his daughters Mary and Elizabeth — two of British history’s most famous monarchs — to the line of succession?
Get ready to lose your head as the six women behind the man take center stage to overthrow her-story. From rumors of scandals and LOTS of lying, to political plays and fabulous frocks, this is a story filled with ambition, treason and strong women. —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Explore
It seems like everyone knows something about Henry VIII and his six wives. Their stories are compelling, and they helped shape the future of the British monarchy and religion.
The Six Queens of Henry VIII is sort of a picture book, graphic novel hybrid with each wife taking center stage. Each section starts off with a short biography and key stats like the years they were born, married and died; their children; allies; and mottos. Information about their lives comes in the form of short, lively paragraphs and a two-page spread of panels highlighting their final days.
Author Honor Cargill-Martin’s text has a snappy tone that’s fun to read aloud or to yourself. And Jaimee Andrews’ vibrant illustrations capture the king and queens’ personalities. A Tudor family tree, timeline and a brief look at Henry VIII’s children rounds out the book.
The Six Queens of Henry VIII is exactly the type of book kids will pick up. My 11-year-old took one look at the cover and grabbed the book out of my hands. Though she’s a fan of books that are much more challenging, she’s read this one at least three times. It would make an excellent addition to a home or classroom library.
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