The Knight Who Took All Day

An arrogant knight wants to impress a princess who is not the least bit interested in him. He believes the best way to win her favor is to defeat a dragon, but there is none to be found. (At least, he cannot find one. As the clownish knight searches, he misses clues that are obvious to the reader via the clever illustrations.) When a dragon finally appears, the knight is thrilled, and instructs his squire to bring his finest armor, cape, and everything else he needs to appear his best when he goes out to do battle with the beast. However, the self-important knight spends so much time primping that the town is in real danger. By the time he is finally ready, the princess has taken matters into her own hands and peacefully ended the crisis. The not-completely-surprising conclusion is a satisfying and delightful finale to an enjoyable story. This lighthearted tale is a favorite with fans of princess stories, but it is much more. Author James Mayhew humorously delivers a message about the folly of pride and vanity. His bright, expressive watercolor illustrations match the story's playful tone. Perfect for reading aloud--but a librarian may want to have an extra copy on hand for an eager borrower to take home. Ages 5-8 Recommended by Barbara Karp, Librarian, New York, USA