Arthur and the Kingswell Trio

by Eva Bey, Eliza Thorncroft (Illustrator)

Welcome to Kingswell Glen, a charming village where four friendly bears share a cozy stone cottage and celebrate the simple joys of every season. Meet Arthur, the thoughtful youngest bear; Cousin Hugh, the cheerful aviator and baker; Charles, the wise elder; and Philip, the adventurous dreamer. Together, they garden, paint, picnic, and weather every storm with kindness, curiosity, and heart.

This extra large print edition is perfect for:
* Ages 4-8
* Read-alouds, accessible and early independent readers
*Bedtime, classroom sharing, and fans of classic animal tales.

This gentle story celebrates friendship, family, and the magic of everyday moments. With lyrical text and a timeless woodland setting, Arthur and The Kingswell Trio invites young readers to discover the warmth of home, the value of working together, and the beauty of being yourself.

32 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

Eva Bey writes gentle, heartfelt stories for children that celebrate kindness, imagination and the quiet wonder of everyday life. With a lifelong love of storytelling, she draws inspiration from nature, family traditions and the joyful curiosity of childhood. Her books are perfect for cozy read-aloud moments and are designed to nurture emotional connection between children and their grown ups.

Eva is the creator of several beloved picture books series published by Hawthorn Quill, including The Kingswell Bears, Spindle the Spider, and Crabby Tidepool Tales.

Eva is also currently developing two new series that explores the emotional development of children in Big Feelings, Small Steps, as well as STEM based subject matters in Hugh Takes A Trip, both part of the Kingswell Bears collection.

Reviews

[Ankit Saxena · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5 stars)

'Arthur and the Kingswell Trio' by Eva Bey, beautifully illustrated by Eliza Thorncroft, is a delightful and heartwarming tale of friendship, courage and imagination that sweeps readers into a magical adventure from the very first page.

The story follows Arthur, a curious and kind-hearted bear, whose ordinary life lives in the mysterious yet charming village of Kingswell Glen with the Trio—his three unusual companions for cousins whose bond and bravery inspire him to see the world beyond logic and into wonder. Cousin Huge is fond of food and having Jolly nature. Eldest Charles likes books and boldest Phillip likes dancing. The narrative is gentle yet layered, weaving together fantasy and emotion in a way that feels timeless.

Eva Bey’s writing is both lyrical and accessible, making it perfect for middle-grade readers and nostalgic adults alike. The themes of friendship, family love, self-discovery and believing in the themselves shine throughout, leaving a tender aftertaste of hope.

Eliza Thorncroft’s illustrations deserve special praise, though were AI generated, they capture the essence of each character with warmth, enhancing the magical realism of the story. Every drawing feels alive, almost like a whispered invitation into Arthur’s world.

If there’s a slight drawback, it’s that a few scenes could have been expanded to give more depth to the Trio’s backstory—but this is a minor quibble in an otherwise charming book.

In short, it is a beautifully written and illustrated story filled with heart, courage and a touch of enchantment. Arthur and the Kingswell Trio is a gem for readers who still believe that magic hides in the most unexpected corners of life.

Highly recommended for ages 5+ and for adults who love stories that rekindle childlike wonder.

[Tenkara Smart · Rating 4 out of 5]

In ‘Arthur and the Kingswell Trio,’ four bear friends live together in a cozy stone cottage in the village of Kingswell Glen. Through charming rhymes and beautiful illustrations, we get to know their unique personalities, kindness, and friendship. This story is perfect for young readers, whether they are reading aloud or working to improve their reading skills, thanks to its fun and engaging prose. The book is short and introduces the four friends, setting the stage for future stories and adventures. It’s a cute tale with good rhyming and lovely pictures that look good on Kindle or tablet.

[Linda Meris · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the village of Kingswell Glen are four friendly bears who live in a cottage and work together side by side. They have different traits that blend well and shared among each other. They don’t always agree, but believe in kindness and love. Children will learn to be themselves, be different and get along with others. The poetry and artwork are a visual delight. As an adult I enjoy reading children’s books. This one, in particular is one of my favorites.

[sureshot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute little children's story. It is basically an introduction of four bears. The bears are kind to each other and seem to live a happy life. The story is done in a nice rhyming pattern that children will like. The illustrations are vibrant and engaging. Overall, this book would make a nice early reader. It would also be a fun book to read to a toddler.

[Ashlee Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Arthur and the Kingswell Trio with my younger students, and it was such a sweet and calming story. The woodland setting and the bear characters are warm and inviting, and the story highlights kindness, teamwork, and simple everyday joys. It’s perfect for read-alouds in the classroom or at home. A lovely book for younger kids.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet picture book for children is told in rhyming verse. It features four bears, Arthur, Charles, Hugh and Philip, who all live together in a charming cottage in the woods. The mood is very cozy and heartwarming, describing cozy days together. There are adorable pictures with pumpkins and flowers, detailing the various personalities of the bears. 5/5 stars.

[Ela Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a warm and lovely children’s book! The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, with bright and vibrant colors that are visually pleasing for kids, and adults too. I read this on the kindle with my young kids (under 10 years old), and both of them loved the story of four bears and the colorful pictures. It’s perfect for a short, sweet, and heartwarming family reading time.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Arthur and the Kingswell Trio is a beautifully illustrated, charming story about four bear friends who live and play together. It has a lovely message and is part of a series. A perfect book to read to the littles in your life.

[Rafaela Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introductory tale in this sweet, tender series about a lovable family of bears. Arthur and the Kingswell Trio is a truly charming story that warmly introduces Arthur and his three bears cousins, inviting readers into their cozy world. A delightful beginning to a series you'll look forward to returning to.