We love knights! I am so thankful that my son is interested in knights because not only are there lots of storybooks about them, there are fantastic nonfiction choices too. Here are our reviews of a few books about knights that we have read recently.
Small Knight and George by Ronda Armitage is a gem! This story is funny, cute and a great message about not being what we think we should be but rather who we truly are. Small Knight is not so sure about being, brave and fighting but he does know how to make a friend. When he sets out to slay a dragon he ends up befriending one. A great book for all kids . Even though my son is presently all about battles and weapons he still likes and relates to this more peaceful story of a knight. As soon as I read it to him I was searching for the next in the series.
Imagine You’re a Knight! by Meg Clibbon is a fantastic book for children interested in what being a knight is all about. There are so many great details and answers given that I am eager to read more in this series. My son loves this book and not just because it answers his many questions about knights but also because it’s the type of book that you can open and close as time permits, reading a little or a lot and still enjoying it. I like the humor and illustrations by Lucy Clibbon. It’s a great choice for 4 and older. 3-year-olds might find it to be too much.
Knights & Castles (Insiders) by Phillip Dixon is a visually stunning book. This is not a book intended for preschoolers. But kids eager to learn more about medieval life, how castles were constructed and the realities of being a knight ( and other social positions) will appreciate it. I urge parents to read through it first because it’s geared towards older elementary through adult and explains the history in great ( not necessarily preschool appropriate) detail. My son loves this book, mostly due to the incredible illustrations that offer a look back in time. As a mom who has a degree in history, I adore these books but make sure to read them with him to explain the more complex information that is included.
The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke is a tale about a princess named Violet who was raised with her 3 older brothers by her father after her mother dies in childbirth. Her brothers are trained to be knights and she too learns to joust, ride horses, and sword fighting. Her brothers ( like most) tease her and tell her that she’ll never be as strong and it’s a maid who tells her that she won’t be as strong but she can be smarter. That message stood way out for me and is why I think this is such a great book. When her father sets up a tournament for Violet’s hand in marriage she takes things into her own hands. She shows everyone how she is smarter than all the other knights and with hard work trains to win her own hand in marriage. I love this book not only as a great empowering one for girls but also to show boys that girls don’t have to fit a specific mold either.
My Favorite Michael Laura Heiman is such a wonderful book about pretend play. In it a little boy Michael dresses up as all sorts of roles from businessman to knight to pirate. Eventually, he pops out with no costume and his mom tells him that she likes him in all those other roles but that this every day Michael is her favorite. Kids who love to dress up and get deep into pretend play will like this book. My son who is almost never without his sword and shield and loved this book, since taking it out of the library a few days ago it’s been read many many times.
The Bravest Knight by Mercer Mayer had my son smiling on the edge of his seat until the end. The story is about a little boy who imagines he’s a knight living a thousand years ago. He imagines he is a squire who is loyal to a knight and even saves the knight from time to time. My son loved this, especially the part about the squire saving the knight. Then in the end the knight battles a troll and dies. You don’t see it but after that, the little boy decides maybe living back then wouldn’t be so cool. I was like really Mercer Mayer? He’s dead? What?! I totally didn’t pre-read it either ( will I ever learn??) and my son was stunned. Thankfully my resilient bossy 4-year-old announced I needed to turn back the page and re-read it saying the knight was just inside eating. So yeah we loved most of the book.
Take Care, Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas such a sweet book about three little dragons who agree to cat sit a wizard’s pets and the Good Knight who helps them get it right. The story is filled with mishaps when the dragons who can’t read yet try to figure out the wizard’s written instructions. The outcome is hilarious and will have your children giggling. I also love the message about using pictures to give clues for reading, but to remember to ask “Does this make sense?”
Single Mama by Choice says
I just wanted to thank you for your great book reviews. My son shares similar interests as yours, and your recs are always spot on. I’ve ordered several, and wanted to say thanks.
admin says
That makes me so excited to hear, thank you so much for letting me know. It encourages me me to keep lugging huge heavy bags of books home from the library.
Peter Prokes says
The best thing about books is that you use your imaginations and not someone else’s.
50 people can read the same book and come up with 50 different scenarios.
You just have to love books and the amazingly talented writers.
Jan Peter Prokes
rachel m says
The kiss that missed is also a fun book about a knight
http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-That-Missed-David-Melling/dp/0764136240/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Kelly says
I also wanted to say thanks for your book reviews. I rarely come by to comment, but almost always put 1 or more of the titles you suggest on hold at the library. So please keep up the great work and don’t stop if there aren’t any comments!
Jenny says
Thank you so much for your book reviews! I have a little girl who loves knights, and there are two we LOVE that missed your list:
“The Knight and The Dragon” by Tomie dePaola is a gem! The boy and dragon decide to battle, and use the library to research how. When things don’t work out as planned, the librarian offers them a path to work together. My girl loves that many pages are set up like comic panels so she can “read” those scenes to me. Knights and library love AND Tomie dePaola all in one book is a near perfect combination for me.
“Saint George and the Dragon” retold and illustrated by Trisha Schart Hyman is my personal favorite picture book of all time. Hyman’s award-winning illustrations are so elegant, so beautiful, so stunning, and her treatment of this classic tale is gutsy and noble. With 40+ words per page and some thrilling battle scenes, this book seems more geared toward a school-aged child, but the story is so engaging and the artwork so enchanting that my preschooler will not only sit through this one, but asks for it again and again.
I hope you enjoy them, too!
Randi says
Usborne even has books about Knights – even a dressing sticker book (which are pretty cool in that, when you are done dressing, it becomes a book). http://r3515.myubam.com/search?q=knights
Eva says
oh thank you so very much for sharing this I have been having trouble finding knight themed books for my four year old that aren’t for the older boys 😉
thank you thank you
eva
Suzy says
Thanks a bunch. Looking for my “little knight” 6 year old grandson.
Any suggestion for Knight toys?