THE CROWN: AN EPIC TALE OF FOOLS, FATE, AND FISH BUTTS, by Lauren Stohler, Penguin Workshop, Aug. 25, 2026, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)
When everyone in a village cedes power to whoever wears a crown, chaos ensues in The Crown, by Lauren Stohler.
Once upon a time, in a peaceful village nearer than you think, a mysterious box appeared outside the gates of a castle. Inside the box was a crown and some instructions (well, one instruction): Whoever has the crown makes the rules! NO exceptions! So naturally, the guard who found the crown put it on and became king.
This led to a dizzying tug-of-war (literally) between the king, the villagers, some fish butt–addicted alligators, and one very, very large orange dragon—all of whom believed the crown and the power were rightfully theirs. Needless to say, the peaceful village? Yeah, not so peaceful anymore. —Synopsis provided by Penguin Workshop
The Crown is one of those books where there’s so much going on that you don’t realize it’s teaching you something until you’re done, and you think, “Of course it’s about that. Why didn’t I see that before.”
This irreverent read explains the democratic process in a fun and accessible way.
Author-illustrator Lauren Stohler’s writing feels a little over-the-top, but it’s actually quite smart. It’s engaging and silly, and just the sort of thing kids will want to read on repeat. Stohler’s illustrations echo her text, with crazy antics coming to life from page one until the last. Her drawing style has a nostalgic feel that will resonate with parents and kids alike.
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