The Kingdom of Nothing

This picture book is so unique and touching! Using very unique artwork it tells the story of a family with literally nothing, with emphasis on the importance of parental care and affection as well as appreciating the small things in life such as sunset and the stars. I found myself smiling the whole way through.

I really hope to be able to get this book in store after its release. Picture books are a big part of our sales and I think this one will be a hit!

Really good book for the young, that deserves its message to be read far and wide. But oh the irony of needing to buy a book to tell you that you don't need to buy things, that you don't need possessions or tangible things when the world and its people around you, and friendship, and nature, are all wondrous things in themselves and really all we need. Still, this has a wonderful approach to show us that, with just the perfect tone of levity and a very simple approach to the design. Four and a half stars.

This was cute and the art was uniquely simplistic. I thought more was going to happen, but wasn't upset that it didn't.

The Kingdom of Nothing by Ronald Wohlman is a simple story that conveys a powerful and concise message. Within the Kingdom, the King and Queen and their two children possess no material things. Their wealth and happiness, instead, is derived from a gratitude for the natural world, and the joyfulness that comes from being in the company of one another. And isn't that truly something? This is an invaluable lesson for children in a world that is increasingly fuelled by consumerism and want. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Childrens for granting my wish and providing me with this ARC.

This book is fab. It shows a royal family who say they have nothing, but it turns out that they have rather a lot, because of the time they spend together and their appreciation of things around them like stories and sunsets. The book is beautifully illustrated too.

The Kingdom of Nothing is a lovely, simplistic book that shows love and undivided attention without sistractions is the best thing for our children.

A book about a kingdom with nothing in it. Nothing at all. Except love, time, imagination and family. This is a cute and vividly illustrated book showing how important time and love and family are. Not things and stuff but quality human interaction. I really thought it was a cute book.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

What a delightful book this is with a very important message which is clearly given through the story.
This book makes children think about what they have and how often the simplest things in life are the best especially gifts of time, presence and love. It teaches us to enjoy and rejoice in the natural world around us and spend more time with loved ones than materialistic objects.
This is a very simple illustrated book but this works with the type of story and the message of the story itself.

A great book for Christmastime, when my kids have been bombarded with stuff and I want to make sure they remember that things aren't the most important. When I review children's books, I generally read it myself first, then read with my four year old to get her opinion. She wasn't as into this as I was, but it was the third book in a row, after a much more interactive book, so I will happily try again when she is in a calmer mood. She did love the drawings of the family and happily declare that she was the princess.

I liked the idea that it doesn't require things to have fun, while remaining practical like not being able to play hiding games if there's nothing to hide behind (that's the sort of thing a kid will think of and then present to you as a 'gotcha!') My husband works a lot and we really value our family time, this book works as an introduction to children to the idea that sometimes time together and money for things are a trade off. The sparse but brightly colored pictures reinforce the idea that things and clutter aren't inherently valuable.

A very simple book with the underlying message of love and family. However a story about nothing, for a child is boring. I liked the concept but didn’t find the book gripped you. Or led to much discussion.

I liked the idea behind this book and that the focus is on love, family and that objects and material things are not needed to be content and happy, but I wasn't a fan of the images, the book for me needed to be brighter and more colourful to attract youngsters and to keep their attention and focus. It is 3 stars from me for this one

I love the voice Ronald has used in this book – it adds a layer of humour that keeps you engaged throughout and delivers the key message with a punch.

But what makes this book is Dylan’s clever use of colour, to show what would have been there (if there wasn’t nothing), that really adds another layer of depth, and the humour flows through his illustrations.

My favourite illustrations were the three spreads on birthday presents. First, we’re asked to guess what the King has put in the birthday box, then we see it’s a trick question and then we see what the greatest gift of all really is.

The best things in life are not material things. We’ve all heard that said, but this book nails it, and in a way that will have you laughing with delight. This book is written in the most light-hearted of ways, but with such a strong heart-felt message that you will remember this book long after you finish reading it. It’s quirky, fun and inspirational. I loved it.

I am very grateful to the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is worth having in any library simply for its powerful, yet obvious message, that material possessions are nothing compared to the intangibles and to all the natural beauty that is around us for everyone to enjoy, to be truly happy! That is something indeed!

The illustrations are simple, yes, but fitting for this book’s message, and are totally adorable! And while we all know that the best things in life are those intangibles, the book brings this across in a way that will keep you smiling all along and leave you with that warm feeling in your heart.

Side note: I did wonder where they lived and slept and… based on what I read, but well, those are possible discussions in addition to the more important ones when you read this with the little ones..

Conclusion: Yes, get it for yourself and for those you love!

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley for the digital review copy of ‘The Kingdom of Nothing’ . These thoughts are my honest opinions of the book.

This book is about Nothing. The Kingdom of Nothing, which has nothing in it, save for a queen, king, prince and princess. So how can a Kingdom of Nothing, end up having the best thing?


This story is simple, sweet, a little quirky and definitely worth a read.