Duchess of Cambridge picks five children’s books for Reading Room book club

The Duchess of Cambridge has picked five of her favourite books for small children to share with followers of the Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room book club. 

Camilla launched her Instagram-based initiative last year, described as a “celebration of literature in all its forms", regularly sharing her top reading choices. The Instagram account has more than 135,000 followers. Kate’s choices make up a new children’s section on Camilla’s new website, to mark World Book Day.  

Her recommendations include Charlotte’s Web by E B White (Puffin), which she calls an “all-time classic and loved in our house for obvious reasons”. She added: “This is a charming story about friendship, loyalty and love." 

She said Stig of The Dump, by Clive King (Puffin), encouraged her to love “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. 

The Katie Morag Series by Mairi Hedderwick (Red Fox) was described as “fun stories for children of all ages and a great book 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.” 

She also included The Owl Who Was Afraid of The Dark, by Jill Tomlinson (Farshore), which she recently read as part of the “CBeebies Bedtime Story” programme. “I loved this book as a little girl and listening to my own children reading it has brought back so many wonderful memories,” she said. “A comforting story to help children face their fears and grow in confidence with the help of others.” 

Her final choice was Feelings, by Libby Walden (Caterpillar Books). She said: “This little book is a wonderful way to help children understand and recognise their feelings and emotions, and brings to life the importance of empathy.”