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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
3.0
I'm not entirely sure how to review this book. The poem in itself isn't too special. It's quite sentimental and one can feel the wishes and dreams of the Duchess in every word. I can imagine that some mothers who look at their husband and son feel the sentiment much better than I ever will. However, the drawings are quite nice, especially because they're quite diverse and show all kinds of fathers and sons in all kinds of situations.
kimmybartle's review
1.0
1.5 stars. I heard the audiobook and immensely enjoyed Meghan's pace. Honest review–I thought this was cute! The illustrations felt inclusive. I loved the use of watercolor. As for this being a children's book... my gut feeling is this is something I'd gift my husband when we are expecting, and if it's a boy. I would read it for Father's Day, not necessarily to my kid alone.
klindtvedt's review
5.0
A Quietly Profound and Heartfelt Poem of Parental Love…
I do not normally read and review children’s books; my kids are grown, no grandkids yet in sight. However, after reading review after review of cruel, misguided, vapid, and outright hateful commentary about not only this book, but its author, I felt compelled to provide an assessment based on honesty rather than spite; one based on real reactions rather than vindictive condemnation. So here it goes:
“The Bench” written by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex is as sweet as it is heartfelt. A quietly profound poem of the love between a father and his son through the lens of a loving mother’s eyes brought to life by the magnificent illustrations of talented artist Christian Robinson. Their combined efforts form a wonderful literary landscape of affection and unadulterated acceptance much needed in the world today.
For those saying this book is not for kids? You would be correct. However you would also be foolish and shortsighted because it is clearly not written to be one. Rather it is meant to be a joint experience, something to be read with your child/children on your lap and be a catalyst for a conversation about family, acceptance, love, and the many different forms such bonds between a father and son can take. It is a foundational life lesson to aid in illustrating what kindness is, what real love looks like, and the many ways a father feels about his son presented in tiny literary nuggets any child can absorb and appreciate in their own unique way. It is far more than a “kid’s book”, it is a conversational love language that introduces concepts such as inclusiveness, equity, and diversity. And I found it just plain beautiful.
I recognize why people are bashing this book, to my eyes it has nothing to do with the book itself but rather their view on who they think the author is. It is a sad reflection on society at large, the social media/tabloid fueled negativity and toxicity that inflames and poisons everything it touches. Very little of it I feel is actually based on real interaction or firsthand knowledge. It’s the product of our modern click-bait world; a world where authenticity is cast out in favor of sensationalism and caricature. A world where individuals who have never met the author feel justified in being her judge, jury, and the executioner of her character because of what they’ve read and in turn think they know. When the reality is, unless you live in her home, partake in her day-to-day life, you don’t know a damn thing.
Another reality, this book is pure of heart and just plain lovely and I for one applaud it…
I do not normally read and review children’s books; my kids are grown, no grandkids yet in sight. However, after reading review after review of cruel, misguided, vapid, and outright hateful commentary about not only this book, but its author, I felt compelled to provide an assessment based on honesty rather than spite; one based on real reactions rather than vindictive condemnation. So here it goes:
“The Bench” written by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex is as sweet as it is heartfelt. A quietly profound poem of the love between a father and his son through the lens of a loving mother’s eyes brought to life by the magnificent illustrations of talented artist Christian Robinson. Their combined efforts form a wonderful literary landscape of affection and unadulterated acceptance much needed in the world today.
For those saying this book is not for kids? You would be correct. However you would also be foolish and shortsighted because it is clearly not written to be one. Rather it is meant to be a joint experience, something to be read with your child/children on your lap and be a catalyst for a conversation about family, acceptance, love, and the many different forms such bonds between a father and son can take. It is a foundational life lesson to aid in illustrating what kindness is, what real love looks like, and the many ways a father feels about his son presented in tiny literary nuggets any child can absorb and appreciate in their own unique way. It is far more than a “kid’s book”, it is a conversational love language that introduces concepts such as inclusiveness, equity, and diversity. And I found it just plain beautiful.
I recognize why people are bashing this book, to my eyes it has nothing to do with the book itself but rather their view on who they think the author is. It is a sad reflection on society at large, the social media/tabloid fueled negativity and toxicity that inflames and poisons everything it touches. Very little of it I feel is actually based on real interaction or firsthand knowledge. It’s the product of our modern click-bait world; a world where authenticity is cast out in favor of sensationalism and caricature. A world where individuals who have never met the author feel justified in being her judge, jury, and the executioner of her character because of what they’ve read and in turn think they know. When the reality is, unless you live in her home, partake in her day-to-day life, you don’t know a damn thing.
Another reality, this book is pure of heart and just plain lovely and I for one applaud it…
roseannmvp's review
3.0
It's a sweet poem, and the multi-cultural, multi-abled pictures by Robinson bring it to life.
Nothing too special.
Nothing too special.
tikaw's review
3.0
Can you like a person, or maybe her/his personality, but dislike the works?
That's what I feel about THE BENCH, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex's first children's book.
In fact, I don't think it is a children book. It's more of an illustrated book, in my opinion. I can't read it to my son. The story sounds like Meghan's expectation of her husband or to any father in the world. Fathers should be like this and that will be like this and that.
Don't get me wrong, I do love her writings in NYT, The Losses We Share. I also disagree with the 1-star review given at Goodreads, which mostly talking about Meghan as an individual.
Maybe my expectation to Meghan is too high for a children book written by a feminist. I'm expecting children's point of view as it is classified as a children book. Not a mother perspective with such a high expectation to the father. And the bench.
Speaking of the bench, if you go to the UK, you'll see how unique every single bench in the country. Every bench has a name and a story. Usually, it has a plate with a name and a short memory about them at the top-centre of the bench.
If only Meghan take this kind of bench as a setup, it might make The Bench feels more personal and unique like every bench in the UK. But I am failing to see the emotional touch children books usually have.
However, I like the way Meghan and Christian Robinson emphasize diversity in this book. I'm also spoiled by Christian Robinson illustration. The illustrations show different non-white colours. Press usually take the white father with blond hair and army look, which might illustrate Meghan's husband. But it is just one page of other beautiful pages and not the best page. Although I know very little about art, I like the soft strokes and the earth tonality in this book.
That's what I feel about THE BENCH, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex's first children's book.
In fact, I don't think it is a children book. It's more of an illustrated book, in my opinion. I can't read it to my son. The story sounds like Meghan's expectation of her husband or to any father in the world. Fathers should be like this and that will be like this and that.
Don't get me wrong, I do love her writings in NYT, The Losses We Share. I also disagree with the 1-star review given at Goodreads, which mostly talking about Meghan as an individual.
Maybe my expectation to Meghan is too high for a children book written by a feminist. I'm expecting children's point of view as it is classified as a children book. Not a mother perspective with such a high expectation to the father. And the bench.
Speaking of the bench, if you go to the UK, you'll see how unique every single bench in the country. Every bench has a name and a story. Usually, it has a plate with a name and a short memory about them at the top-centre of the bench.
If only Meghan take this kind of bench as a setup, it might make The Bench feels more personal and unique like every bench in the UK. But I am failing to see the emotional touch children books usually have.
However, I like the way Meghan and Christian Robinson emphasize diversity in this book. I'm also spoiled by Christian Robinson illustration. The illustrations show different non-white colours. Press usually take the white father with blond hair and army look, which might illustrate Meghan's husband. But it is just one page of other beautiful pages and not the best page. Although I know very little about art, I like the soft strokes and the earth tonality in this book.
beths0103's review
3.0
Christian Robinson had a Herculean task to make this awkwardly written poem that Meghan Markle wrote for Prince Harry as a Father’s Day gift into a beautiful picture book, but somehow he managed to do that. Don’t buy this book because it was written by Meghan Markle (you’ll be disappointed). Buy it because it was illustrated by Christian Robinson.
theelazyyonee's review
4.0
Came across this one when shopping at the grocery store. It a simple and cute read. The story was very touching.