Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home > Curriculum Topic Booklists > History Topic Booklists > Queen Elizabeth II Topic

Queen Elizabeth II Topic

Queen Elizabeth II Topic Booklist

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history and we were saddened to hear of her passing after 70 years of service as Queen. From coronations and corgis to jewels and jubilees, we’ve put together a list of the best children’s books to help to learn more about Queen Elizabeth II…

Through these thoughtfully selected children’s books, we aim to provide an engaging and educational journey that helps young minds learn more about the history of Queen Elizabeth II and the pivotal moments in her reign. From stories of royal life to inspiring accounts of her steadfast dedication to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, these books offer an enriching perspective on Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable reign and her enduring impact on history. We also have a separate list of children’s books about King Charles III.

This selection of recommended children’s books embraces the Queen’s remarkable legacy, providing an opportunity for young readers to connect with her incredible journey and the enduring significance of her reign.

 

Visit our booklists on Amazon

Support independent bookshops

Story books about the Queen

Steve Antony
Picturebook
A hilarious tale that will take you all around London! Winner of the Evening Standard's Oscar's First Book Prize. A sudden gust of wind sets off a marvellous London adventure for the Queen, the Queen's men and one very special hat. So let's follow one determined, dare-devil queen through London Zoo, over Tower Bridge and up Big Ben ... just where will that hat land? Featuring favourite London landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Big Ben and London Zoo.
Nicholas Allan
 & Sue Buswell
Picturebook
It's a busy year for the Queen - she has lots of important events to attend. Meanwhile, a little girl is wondering what knickers Her Majesty will choose to wear on a school visit! Will they be her 'at home' knickers - adorned with corgis - or her 'garden party' knickers, or perhaps her woolly Balmoral ones...? Both children and adults will love this very special and endearing insight into a child's imagination, from the best-selling author-illustrator of Father Christmas Needs A Wee and Jesus' Christmas Party .
Michael Bond
 & R. W. Alley
Picturebook
This picturebook featuring a familiar favourite bear captures the experience of visiting Buckingham Palace as a tourist, watching the Changing of the Guard and seeking to get a glimpse of the Queen at her home.

Caroline L. Perry
 & Lydia Corry
Picturebook
Can one dog help a young princess learn how to become a beloved queen? The true and touching story of Queen Elizabeth II and her first corgi, Susan. As a young girl, Elizabeth's life changed for ever when her Papa was crowned King George VI and the family moved into Buckingham Palace. But one thing has never changed: she always has her corgis at her side. This is the story of her beloved first corgi, Susan, who accompanied Princess Elizabeth everywhere she went - even secretly riding in her glass carriage on her wedding day to Prince Philip! Susan was there for Elizabeth when her Papa died and she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II, and remained at her side as a faithful companion in her early years as a Queen and later as a mother. This picture book provides a fascinating window into the life of Queen Elizabeth II from princess to beloved Queen, told through her enduring love of corgis.

Children's Non-Fiction Books about Queen Elizabeth II

Julia Golding
 & Kate Hindley
Non-fiction
The story of the life of Queen Elizabeth II, told through her clothes and jewellery - and a gorgeous gift to treasure. Includes a foreword by Michele Clapton, costume designer for series one of Netflix's The Crown, giving a peek behind the scenes at the recreation some of the Queen's most famous outfits. Did you know the Queen's crown weighs as much as a bag of potatoes? Or that she has her own tartan nobody else is allowed to wear? Written by the Waterstones Children's Book Prize-winning Julia Golding, The Queen's Wardrobe is packed with fascinating stories and astounding facts about our record-breaking Queen. The detailed, humorous and colourful artwork from bestselling Kate Hindley shows what it's really like to grow up as a princess. This book brings to life the story of a young princess who grew into one of the world's best-loved and most famous royals, touching on wartime truck-fixing, ration-book wedding dress making, splendid gowns, trusty wellies, the Crown Jewels and jumping out of a helicopter with James Bond.
Kate Williams
 & Helen Shoesmith
Non-fiction
Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee with this colourful and charming picture book by historian Kate Williams, taking young readers on an amazing journey through Queen Elizabeth II's seven decades on the throne. Discover everything there is to know about the life and the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II in this beautifully illustrated book. Readers will learn all about Elizabeth II's youth growing up during WWII, how she came to the throne and what it really means to be the Queen. Along the way, they'll see her sparkling crown jewels and magnificent palaces. They will meet her beloved corgis, horses and of course, her very famous family. Plus they'll discover lots of amazing facts - such as why she has two birthdays, always wears bright clothing, and is a world record breaker! This is a perfect gift for all the family, celebrating the extraordinary life of Queen Elizabeth II - from the Crown to the Corgis.
Michael Morpurgo
 & Michael Foreman
Picturebook
From the Nation's Favourite Storyteller Sir Michael Morpurgo comes a poetic celebration of our Queen and longest reigning monarch, beautifully illustrated in watercolour by acclaimed artist Michael Foreman. There once was a little girl, a princess, who became a queen, our Queen Elizabeth. Now, seventy years later, her reign as the longest serving female monarch in history has seen her stand steadfast through triumph and tribulation, and through the monumental changes that have shaped our world, as this remarkable queen has remained devoted to crown, to country... and a corgi or two! Beginning with the queen as a little girl, planting an oak tree with her father, There Once is a Queen follows her incredible story in a way that will bring this historic reign vividly to life for readers around the world, big and small. An exquisite gift book and commemoration of the Platinum Jubilee, it marks a unique moment in our shared history and will be a treasured keepsake for generations to come.
Sally Morgan
 & Sarah Papworth & Mike Phillips
Chapter book
Read all about the life of Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-reigning monarch. From her childhood years in London, to training as a mechanic in the Second World War and becoming queen at 25, learn lesser-known facts about this true icon, including all about the queen's secret handbag signals! Peppered with black-and-white illustrations, this is an accessible chapter book biography aimed at Key Stage 2.
Julia Adams
Non-fiction
Everyone knows that Britain has a Queen, but who is she and what does she do? How do you become a Queen and who will be Head of State next? This book answers these questions as well as looking at the roles of other royal family members. A timeline at the back of the book shows the full history of the British Royal Family. For children aged 7 and up who are interested in learning about the modern British Royal Family.

Imogen Russell Williams
Non-fiction
In celebration of the incredible life of HM Queen Elizabeth II, here is the history of her reign, told through the enthralling life stories of The Queen and 25 amazing people who have called Britain home.The reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II has been long and eventful. Over the past 70 years, Great Britain has seen incredible changes in the ways we live, think and feel, shaped by the inspiring people who were born in Britain or arrived on its shores.As we commemorate the Queen's life and reign, learn about her extraordinary life and 25 other amazing history-makers - from modern pioneers, leaders and scientists to writers, athletes and activists - in this fully updated new special edition paperback. Each beautifully illustrated page spread is devoted to a tale of an incredible Briton, told by talented writer and children's book critic Imogen Russell Williams and brought to life by Sara Mulvanny's vivid colour illustration. The book also features a gloriously illustrated timeline, showing key events from Queen Elizabeth's long reign.Discover the life-changing events of the last 70 years, from the foundation of the NHS by Aneurin Bevan to the creation of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine by Sarah Gilbert. Learn about how amazing activists like Paul Stephenson and Malala Yousafzai fought hard for equal rights for all, and scientists like Stephen Hawking and Tim Berners-Lee made incredible advances that allowed us to know more about the universe, or communicate in a whole new way via the Internet. Find out about the fantastic achievements of athletes like Mo Farah and Tanni Grey-Thompson and writers like Judith Kerr and Lemn Sissay, despite the challenges they faced. The tales include key figures from all areas of British life - science, medicine, entertainment, sports, activism and more.Featuring the inspirational lives and achievements of amazing people such as Alan Turing, Kelly Holmes, Stormzy and Anita Roddick, this book is not only a glorious celebration of Queen Elizabeth's life and reign, but also the citizens who have contributed to such an incredible 70 years on the throne.

Visit our booklists on Amazon

Support independent bookshops

Booklists you might also like...

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments