The Storybook Knight

The duo behind The Snatchabook takes readers back to medieval times to meet Leo the mouse, "a gentle knight/ in thought and word and deed." Leo would rather read than fight, and readers first see him contentedly perched on a tree branch with his nose in a book while a melee unfolds in the valley below--a scene that brings to mind another happy pacifist, Ferdinand. Sent packing to fight a local dragon ("One morning Leo's parents said/ they'd like to have a chat./ There was nothing wrong with reading, / but he couldn't just do that!"), Leo encounters three belligerent beasts--a pugilistic griffin, a ravenous bridge troll, and finally the fiery red dragon--and persuades them to become peace-loving bibliophiles by showing them that they are stars in the storybooks he's brought along. (With such a gift for handselling, Leo could easily make it work as a bookseller if the knight thing doesn't work out.) Helen Docherty's breezy rhyming and Thomas Docherty's lighthearted, imaginative cartooning make this a sweet, fresh take on the typical reading-is-fun tale, while also slyly nodding to our culture of personal celebrity. Ages 4-up. (Oct.)

Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--A small knight learns to fight his foes with a good story rather than a sword. Leo is a small knight who is fond of adventures--at least the ones found in books. His parents hope that the challenge of fighting a dragon with his new shield and sword will turn him into a brave, dragon-fighting knight. Leo sets off on his quest with a supply of good books, but along the way, he meets foes looking for fights. Thankfully, Leo is quick with a story to calm the angry beasts--even a dangerous dragon likes a good tale. There are delightful spreads done in acrylic ink and watercolor that pair beautifully with the rhyming stanzas. The characters' voices are distinct and beg to be read aloud. VERDICT A recommended purchase for all collections and perfect for storytime, bedtime, or anytime.--Karen Ginman, BookOps: The New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"The Storybook Knight is not only about the power of books, but a book that teaches children to stand up for what they love. The funny and heartwarming illustrations full of details are the perfect addition to the meaningful story." - The Reading Castle