by Lucy Rowland (Author) Kate Hindley (Illustrator)
Ned the knight always does exactly what he's told. When his parents ask him to pick up his toys, dig up the cabbages, or go to bed on time, he does it all with a smile. And when the dragon swoops into town every night, Ned always runs inside just as he's asked. But one morning Ned says "NO!" He will not help his dad find his shield, his arrow, or his bow, and that night, he refuses to go inside. After a surprising encounter with the dragon, will he change his tune?
WorldCat is the world's largest library catalog, helping you find library materials online.
PreS-Gr 2--Ned is a tiny knight with a lot on his plate. As the only child in the whole village, Ned helps all the adults with various tasks such as picking cabbages and getting firewood. He is always accommodating and ready to pitch in. Until one day, when Ned has finally had enough. Instead of a helpful 'YES!' to any request, his answer is now an emphatic 'NO!' Meanwhile, the red dragon who threatens the town every evening has also reached her breaking point. Lonely and tired of roaring, the dragon and Ned both recognize that they are kindred spirits. Kindness and empathy spark a lasting bond and Ned finds it much more fun to share chores with a friend. While the importance of friendship is clear, subtler messages are less so. It's not clear if Ned's disobedience is intended to be negative (plain old disrespect and temper), or whether it is actually a positive (a demonstration of personal boundaries when all the adults, including Ned's parent, seem to be taking advantage of the little imp). Ned's anger and resentment seem to arise from his extreme loneliness, but as that isn't clearly stated, the message may be aided by a discussion of healthy emotional expression. The illustrations are lively and colorful. Ned is adorable in his jaunty feathered helm and pint-sized gauntlets. Colorful spreads present myriad details ready for discovery. VERDICT An enjoyable medieval romp toward a fortuitous friendship.--Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, OH
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Katy Halford is the illustrator of several books for young children, including Naughty Narwhal by Emma Adams, Noodle the Doodle by Jonathan Meres, and Rapunzel to the Rescue by Lucy Rowland. As a child she would create paper houses and shops and would play for hours in these imaginary worlds, creating little stories and acting them out. Katy lives in Leicestershire, England.