A picture book for ages 2–5
A chess storyfor toddlers
Most chess books start with how the pieces move. Two Castles is a story, not a lesson — it starts where a child actually starts, with the names of the pieces and where they live on the board.
Paperback and hardcover · Printed and shipped by Amazon
What it teaches
The names of all six pieces
Rook, knight, bishop, queen, king and pawn — each one arrives as a character with a face and a home, not as a rule to memorise.
Where each piece starts
By the last page the kingdom is complete, and a child can point to where every single piece belongs — the first real step toward playing.
That the board has rows and columns
The squares have letters and numbers. Almost no other toddler book shows that — this one does, so the board feels familiar later.
Why parents love it
Short & sweet
Concise enough to keep a toddler engaged from start to finish — perfect for little attention spans.
A story, not a lesson
Your little one won't even realise they're learning chess. To them, it's just a silly story about a kingdom with funny characters.
Quality time
A unique way to bond. Read along, call out the names of the pieces, then try setting up a real board together.
Sample spreads
See more from inside the book →
Free · No email required
The board setup chart
One page showing exactly where every piece starts, plus the middle-out order that works with young children. Print it, stick it next to the board, and let your child set up on their own.
What parents say
“My three-year-old now names every piece and insists on setting up the board before I play. Exactly what I wanted and nothing more complicated.”
“It reads like a story, not a lesson. We got through it twice the first night and she asked for the horse again.”
“I don't play chess and I still felt completely capable reading this. The art is lovely.”
Who it's for
Ages 2–5, and the adult reading along needs to know nothing about chess. There are no rules to explain and no moves to teach. It reads aloud in about four minutes, which is roughly how long a two-year-old is willing to sit still.
Where to buy
Amazon
Paperback & hardcover
Barnes & Noble
Order online or in store
Bookshop.org
Supports independent stores
Or ask your library to order it — paperback ISBN 979-8-9883436-0-8, hardcover ISBN 979-8-9883436-1-5. Illustrated by Laura Lugo, written by Garrett Gillin. Bulk and library orders →
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Set up a chess board from the middle outward: pawns, then queen and king, then bishop, knight and rook mirrored on both sides. Free printable setup chart.
Age and readiness
What age can a child start learning chess?
There isn't one age. Ages 2–3 can learn piece names, 4–5 can set up the board and learn a move or two, and 6+ can hold the full rules.
Two Castles: A Chess Story for Toddlers