After ruling for less than one year, Edward VIII becomes the first English monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne. He chose to abdicate after the British government, public, and the Church of England condemned his decision to marry the American divorcée Wallis Warfield Simpson. On the evening of December 11, he gave a radio address in which he explained, “I have found it impossible to carry on the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge the duties of king, as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love.” On December 12, his younger brother, the duke of York, was proclaimed King George VI. Find Edward VIII at the library and on hoopla. Find George VI at the library, on hoopla and in OverDrive.

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William Edward “Bill” Joyce, writer, illustrator, and filmmaker, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on December 11, 1957. His illustrations appeared on numerous New Yorker covers and his paintings are displayed at museums and art galleries. Joyce won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film with Brandon Oldenburg. He has written and illustrated over fifty children’s books including George Shrinks, Santa Calls, Dinosaur Bob and his Adventures with the Family Lazardo, Rolie Polie Olie, The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs and A Day with Wilbur Robinson. Find William Joyce at the library.