The Duchess of Sussex recently announced her first children’s book, The Bench — a story about the relationship between fathers and sons as seen from the eyes of a mother.
Meghan explained in a press release that the book was inspired by a Father’s Day poem she penned for Prince Harry. The pair have a two-year-old son named Archie and are expecting a baby girl this summer.
“My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the make-up, as much as it does with mine.”
Fans of Meghan Markle have pledged to purchase several copies of her new book.
The Duchess’ ‘Sussex Squad’ is rallying behind her.
Fans have already decided to buy several copies, with Athena stating on Twitter, “I ordered five so I can donate them.”
“So proud of Meghan, will get two copies for my kids,” wrote another.
“Early Christmas orders for my nieces and nephews done,” said a third.
Several users stated that they plan to purchase several copies to donate to public libraries or children’s schools in their communities.
“It would be amazing if we could start a GoFundMe or something similar where we donate money and the amount we can reach will be used to buy The Bench copies for children’s hospitals or children in need around the world,” Natasha suggested on Twitter.
“We can both support Meghan and make babies happy!”
The concept was well received by Sussex fans, who liked the tweet more than 500 times.
Christian Robinson, a Caldecott winner, illustrated the book. A bench is illustrated under a pine, with chickens nearby, on the book’s cover.
Penguin Random House, the book’s publishers, stated that the book sought to invoke “a deep sense of warmth, connection, and compassion.”
“It gives readers a window into shared and enduring moments between a diverse group of fathers and sons – moments of peace and reflection, trust and belief, discovery and learning, and lasting comfort,” the statement continued.
Meghan Markle was accused of plagiarizing another children’s book. However, the author of the related book came out in defence of the Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan’s book release has some similarities to a 2018 book, The Boy on the Bench, by author Corrinne Averiss and illustrator Gabriel Alborozo, according to royal commentators on social media. While the Duchess of Sussex said that Prince Harry and their son, Archie, were the inspiration for her children’s story, some royal fans said that the royal’s story sounds familiar.
“Before you run out and waste money on the book by Harry’s wife, read The Boy on the Bench by Corrinne Averiss and Gabriel Alborozo The original ,” one Twitter user said.
Another added the facepalm emoji and signed, “Plagiarism Princess,”
Meanwhile, many defended Markle, claiming that Averiss refuted any comparisons between her book and the duchess’. After reading the book outline and a published excerpt from Markle’s book, the author came to the conclusion that their works were not similar.
“Reading the description and published excerpt of the Duchess’s new book, this is not the same story or the same theme as The Boy on the Bench. I don’t see any similarities” Averiss said.
Despite the backlash, Meghan Markle’s forthcoming children’s book is currently the number one title on Amazon in the category of Children’s Black & African Americano Stories. The book is available in three formats: paperback, hard copy, and audiobook.
