For parents
Frequently asked questions
Where to start, what ages, which format, and how the books are made.
Choosing a book
Which Prince Martin book should we start with?
It depends on your child’s age. For ages 3–7, start with the Little Prince Martin picture books, beginning with Honesty Pays. For ages 6 and up, start with Prince Martin Wins His Sword, Book 1 of The Prince Martin Epic. Our Where to start guide lays out every book by age on one page.
What ages are the books for?
The Little Prince Martin picture books are for ages 3–7. The Prince Martin Epic grows with your child: Book 1 is for ages 6+, Books 2 and 3 for 7+, Books 4 and 5 for 8+, Book 6 for 9+, and Book 7 for 10+. The Prince Martin Epic Coloring Book is for ages 5–12.
Do the books need to be read in order?
No. The books in the Prince Martin Epic can be read in order or as stand-alones. Reading them in order has a bonus, though: each successive book gets longer and the plot more action-packed, so the series grows with your son. See the reading order.
How are the two series connected?
Little Prince Martin is a picture book prequel series to The Prince Martin Epic, written for younger readers. Both are by Brandon Hale and illustrated by Jason Zimdars. When your child is ready for more, the Epic’s Book 1 is the natural next step.
Are the books good for reluctant readers?
That’s who they were made for. The Epic books pair high-stakes adventure and bold color illustrations with text that looks like prose but subtly rhymes, so kids keep reading to find the next rhyme. The rhythm also makes the books fun to read aloud together.
Why do the books rhyme?
When Brandon started writing, prose seemed dull, and he remembered how much fun it is to read rhyming stories aloud. So he wrote the books in a poetic meter called anapestic tetrameter, hoping parents and children would enjoy reading them aloud. Read more in the story behind the series.
Formats and audiobooks
What formats are the books available in?
The Prince Martin Epic books come in hardcover, full-color paperback, grayscale paperback, Kindle, and audiobook. The Little Prince Martin picture books come in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle. The coloring book is an 8.5″ × 11″ paperback. Each book page lists the formats and stores where it’s available.
What’s the difference between the full-color and grayscale paperbacks?
The story is the same in both. The full-color paperback is the premium edition, with the illustrations printed in full color on premium paper. The grayscale paperback is an affordable edition, with the illustrations printed in shades of gray. Choose your format from the “Buy at Amazon” menu on any Epic book page.
Are there audiobooks?
Yes. All seven Prince Martin Epic books are available as audiobooks on Amazon and Audible, and several are narrated by Brandon himself. On any Epic book page, choose “Audiobook” from the “Buy at Amazon” menu.
Where can I buy the books?
Every book page has a “Buy at Amazon” button with each format, plus links to other stores such as Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Bookshop.org. Start from the full list of books.
Is there a coloring book?
Yes. The Prince Martin Epic Coloring Book has 170 pages of action-packed scenes from the series to color—some easy, some harder—for ages 5–12.
Are there free coloring pages?
Yes. You can download 12 free coloring pages from Prince Martin and the Thieves, no email required. For many more scenes from the series, see The Prince Martin Epic Coloring Book.
About the books
Who writes and illustrates the books?
The books are written by Brandon Hale, an Oklahoma dad of five with 20 years of Navy service. They’re illustrated by Jason Zimdars, an artist and designer who is also known for illustrating It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work.
How did Prince Martin begin?
In 2015, Brandon was deployed overseas with the military and felt he was losing his bond with his young son, Thomas. One day he asked Thomas if he wanted to hear a story about a Prince Martin, who was Brave, Loyal, and True, and Thomas was enchanted. Thomas even named some of the main characters, like Sir Ray and John the timberwolf. Back home, Brandon’s wife encouraged him to turn the tales into books. Read the whole story.
How are the illustrations made?
Jason draws every illustration digitally in Procreate on an iPad Pro. He sketches each scene in blue, refines it in red, traces a clean drawing in black pencil, and then inks and colors it. See his step-by-step process, with sketches and finished art.
Getting in touch
How can we get in touch or send a letter or drawing?
Email us at info@princemartin.com, or mail letters and drawings to the address on our contact page. We read everything, though we can’t always reply.
Still have a question? Get in touch.