World Book Day: What Kate Middleton reads to George, Charlotte and Louis

The Duchess of Cambridge is a mum of three, and as any parent knows, World Book Day can be quite a big deal for the kids with many schools holding costume days and special events. She has teamed up with her stepmother-in-law, Camilla, to launch a new children’s book club on the Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room website. The launch coincides with World Book Day and, to celebrate, Kate Middleton has revealed her favourite children’s books (it even includes one featuring a character sharing the same name as one of her children.)

Among Kate’s recommendations is Charlotte’s Web, a book she describes as “loved in our house for obvious reasons”. Kate continues, describing it as a “charming story about friendship, loyalty and love”. Kate’s dad Michael recommended the second book, Stig of the Dump, which Kate says resonates with her as she “loved spending time outdoors, making dens, digging, discovering and making things out of odds and ends” as a child. ‘Whether this was why my father recommended this book to me or whether this book inspired my imagination, I can’t remember, but I have never forgotten this brilliant book and the values it teaches,’ she added.

Kate also recommends the Katie Morag Series by Mairi Hedderwick, which she describes as “captivating” as well as the book Feelings, which she says is a “wonderful way to help children understand and recognise their feelings and emotions”.

The final book on the list is The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, which Kate says is a “comforting story to help children face their fears and grow in confidence with the help of others”.

Last month, Kate revealed she’s a fan of this book as she read it during her appearance on CBeebies Bedtime Stories. The book, by Jill Tomlinson, tells the story of a baby barn owl named Plop, who is helped by others to grow in confidence and overcome his fears. At the end of the reading, she added: “Wow, what an encouraging tale. We can all feel scared sometimes just like our little owl friend Plop, but as Mrs Barn Own said, ‘It’s better to find out about the things that scare us before we make up our mind”.

Feelings By Libby Walden also took a place on the list as Kate explained how the book succeeds in helping children learn to understand and recognise their feelings. The Katie Morag series by Mairi Hedderwick also made the cut with kate describing the tale as a fun book for children of all ages and perfect for ‘older children to read to younger siblings.’

‘These books are filled with captivating and beautiful illustrations to accompany the text so there’s lots to talk about! ‘ Kate said. However, no mention of Meghan Markle’s new children’s book ‘The Bench’ was made.

The five children’s books recommended by Kate for the Reading Room were:

• Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White
• The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, by Jill Tomlinson
• Stig of the Dump, by Clive King
• The Katie Morag series, by Mairi Hedderwick
• Feelings, by Libby Walden