If your kids are into saving kingdoms this year, here is a
holiday book to give them some options.
THE STORY BOOK KNIGHT by Helen Docherty and Thomas Docherty,
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2016
Leo was a gentle knight. So begins this gentle tale. He
likes to read. However, his parents succumb to the way it is always done, and
when they pronounce, “Knights must FIGHT,” Leo is puzzled.
However, not only is Leo a gentle knight, he is a dutiful
son. And so he sets off to tame a dragon, armed with gifts from his parents, a
new shield and sword. (He also packs sandwiches and a stack of books.)
Along the way to find the elusive dragon, Leo encounters a
griffin, (he knows it is a griffin because he has read about one), a troll, and
finally, in a village where the people are in hiding, an ENORMOUS and cranky
from a nap, DRAGON.
The cover copy asks, “…can a story be as mighty as a sword?”
Read this to your four year old and discover a happy ending and a delightful
answer.
This book’s creators live in Wales with their two daughters.
I’m guessing lots of stories are told in their home.
My suggestion: after you have read this to your young listener half a dozen times or so, suggest he or she read it to the baby or a doll, or even the dog or cat. Like Leo, you will be left in peace to read. It’s your turn to read to YOU.
