THE CROWN by Lauren Stohler

In a land we’re told is not too far away, a mysterious box appears outside of the castle gates with a huge lock as well as danger stickers circling it. The castle guard opens the box, finds a crown with a pronouncement that anyone who wears the crown makes all the rules, and puts it on.

At first the villagers relish the idea of giving up the burden of running things and having more free time, but they then bristle when the crown-holder doesn’t listen to anyone and starts making unpopular decisions – silly but making a point, like changing Friday Pizza Night to Fava Bean night. The villagers turn on the King, and he retreats into an alligator filled pond where one of the alligators seizes the crown. Mayhem pursues including changing Friday Fava Bean night to Fish Butt Fridays. The villagers appalled try to wrestle the crown from the alligators, when a dragon sneaks up and takes the crown. His abuse of power leads to a fight, until the human and alligators agree to put all big decisions to a vote, and they all lived happily ever after (mostly!).

A very fun way to introduce the democratic concept of deciding issues by consensus rather than decree.

The illustrations are whimsical yet detailed- lots to focus on from wanted posters to dialog boxes, action scenes to commotion. Just the kind of book to linger long on a page and to spark a flurry of questions and conversation with a young reader!

The book comes replete with stickers, including one with a reminder to VOTE which seems perfect for your child to affix to your shirt!

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.