A BOOKSHOP in Glasgow is refusing to stock books from a popular children's series after the publisher decided to include King Charles as an inspirational historical figure.
The Little People, BIG DREAMS series has previously depicted the lives of notable scientists, artists and political figures such as Stephen Hawking, Alan Turing, Frida Kahlo, and Emmeline Pankhurst.
The books have sold more than 7.5 million copies worldwide and have been translated into twenty languages.
Author and creator of the series, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, states on her website that “the success of the series relies on the fact that children love to read stories about other children achieving great things.”
Kids, you too can be a King if you work hard enough. Adding this title to the Little People, Big Dreams stable certainly puts the achievements of Rosa Parks and Malala Yousafzai in perspective https://t.co/Z1xNUcAopl
— Samuel West 💙💛 (@exitthelemming) April 9, 2023
She added: “It gives them the strength and the courage to believe in themselves and dream BIG.”
However, the inclusion of King Charles in the series has made some readers question whether it is appropriate to encourage children to “dream” about becoming a king considering it is, for the most part, a hereditary position.
Independent bookshop Aye Aye Books in Glasgow said they will not be selling the series as a result of the decision to feature King Charles.
They tweeted: "We will definitely not be stocking any books from this series from now on. In case you were wondering."
The actor Samuel West also took to Twitter to express his confusion at the book.
He said: “Kids, you too can be a King if you work hard enough.
“Adding this title to the Little People, Big Dreams stable certainly puts the achievements of Rosa Parks and Malala Yousafzai in perspective.
“Nothing against trying to be a good prince if you’re born to it.
“But the rest of us can’t learn. It’s not a career path that’s ever open. Makes a bit of a nonsense of the other stories, I think.”
This isn’t the first time the series has celebrated a figure from the royal family.
Last year, the Queen was also the subject of a book and the story of Princess Diana is set to be published in September.
The publisher has been approached for comment.
