Book Review of The King and His Poopopo Rococo Crown
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The Children’s Book Review
The King and His Poopopo Rococo Crown
Written and Illustrated by Mari Pili Rey
Ages: 4+ | 54 Pages
Publisher: The Red Sunflower Books (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-7781917-1-8
What to Expect: Royalty, magic, mischief, redemption.
A gleaming royal crown, a wrongfully accused jeweler, and one very magical rabbit collide in this irreverent, laugh-out-loud picture book rooted in consequence and redemption.
Set against the extravagant backdrop of the Rococo era, The King and His Poopopo Rococo Crown follows King Jasper the Magnificent — a vain, crown-obsessed ruler who demands his prized jewel-encrusted crown be polished to perfection before every royal gala. When the crown is mysteriously destroyed and its precious gems stolen, the king places blame squarely on his devoted jeweler, Thomas Joy, and banishes him and his family from the palace entirely. Cast out and desperate, the family’s fortunes take a surprising — and decidedly golden — turn, thanks to a gift from a fairy and one very special rabbit.
Mari Pili Rey’s storytelling is playful and fast-moving, with a comedic sensibility that will delight young readers while quietly threading in themes of injustice, resilience, and the cost of greed. The rhythmic prose reads aloud well, and the book’s signature word — poopopo — will have children giggling on repeat.
The illustrations stand out as Rey’s artwork is rich, expressive, and bursting with personality — a visual love letter to the Rococo period’s over-the-top opulence, complete with towering powdered wigs, elaborate gowns, and gem-encrusted excess. The crowd scenes in particular are a joy to linger over, packed with background details and facial expressions that reward patient young readers. The palette is vibrant and dynamic, shifting between the golden grandeur of the palace and the more muted tones of hardship.
The King and His Poopopo Rococo Crown is an entertaining, visually sumptuous picture book best suited for kids with a love of silly humor and fairy-tale justice—it’s a natural storytime crowd-pleaser.
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About the Author
Mari Pili Rey is a Peruvian-born author, illustrator, and artist based in Hamilton, Ontario. She is the creator of the children’s books Angelo’s Christmas Present, The King and His Poopopo Crown, and Ten Little Fingers, a playful counting book for toddlers that invites little ones to learn through song and interaction.
With extensive experience working with children, especially toddlers and preschoolers, Mari Pili brings warmth, creativity, and fun, along with a deep understanding of early childhood, to her storytelling and illustrations.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of The King and His Poopopo Rococo Crown. Learn more about getting a book review …
