Henry Tudor: The Incredible Diaries of Me!

About this book

Henry Tudor is 8 and a half, and he's the best at everything. Jousting, wrestling, falconry and definitely stealing pies from the kitchens. Well, that's what he tells his diary, anyway. But when a mysterious stranger challenges him to a series of competitions, things don't always go Henry's way. Outrageous! How can he prove that he actually IS the best at everything?

This very funny diary will have readers laughing at the ridiculous Henry's many scrapes. He's a deeply flawed character they will root for, despite his dogged insistence that he knows best, and he's an unreliable narrator. The reader can clearly see that the servants don't love or respect him, for instance. There are some brilliant hints at the future Henry's life - such as his musing about shaking the Church up - to tickle readers who've studied the Tudors. There is a real sense of Tudor royal life, with servants, palaces, animals, and all the many food items that Henry greedily shovels in. But the conversational style is fresh and accessibly modern enough for today's readers. The many excellent illustrations add hugely to the fun, and there are extra bits like portraits and proclamations dotted throughout, to make the diary visually interesting. Hugely enjoyable.

 

About the illustrator