The Knight Who Was Afraid of the Dark (Picture Puffins) [Mass Market Paperback]

Barbara Shook Hazen (Author), Tony Ross (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1992 | Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Picture Puffins

When the castle bully discovers bold Sir Fred is secretly terrified of the dark, he tries to stir up trouble between that brave Knight and his Lady Wendylyn.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

To the tune of Hazen's antic text and Ross's typically zany illustrations, true love cures gallant Sir Fred of his "knee-bumping, heart-thumping" phobia. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Sir Fred is one knight unlucky enough to have been born in the Dark Ages. This is because even though he is a "bold and much loved" man, he has a secret: he is "knee-bumping, heart-thumping afraid of the dark." Sir Fred bravely takes the fearsome spiders out of the castle bathtub in the daytime. But at night, he sleeps with a bottle of fireflies, several bright candles, and a pet electric eel close by his bed. When the lovely Lady Wendylyn requests his company by the fountain at midnight, Sir Fred agonizes about going out in the dark. Yet he gallantly sets off into the night with his eel wrapped around his arm and a fistful of fireflies, too. The surprising and funny ending helps Sir Fred realize that the dark is not so scary when you're with someone. Complementing the humorously gentle text are Ross' comical illustrations which alternate appropriately between brightly colored days and shadowy nights. The book's equally brave hero and heroine should please those looking for strong characters of both sexes. Although the Berenstain Bears in the Dark (Random, 1982) may be the first book one reaches for when parents need help in guiding a young child through his nighttime fears, this one will be an amusing addition. --Amy Adler, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Ohio
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (June 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014054545X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140545456
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #812,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Knight Who Was Afraid Of The Dark, December 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Knight Who Was Afraid of the Dark (Picture Puffins) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a sweet story that is as much for adults as it is for children. The artwork is fun, something new is found each time the book is read. The story is a simple one: facing your fears and the rewards of doing so. Sometimes love does conquer all!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Love-Story!, November 16, 2000

By 

Nicole Flowers (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Knight Who Was Afraid of the Dark (Picture Puffins) (Mass Market Paperback)

What a delightful, fun book about the bravery of Sir Fred, the treachery of Melvin the Miffed and the love of Lady Wendylyn!

Although he is very brave, Sir Fred he is afraid of one thing: the dark (Achilles). Sir Miffed wants Lady Wendylyn to himself so he tells her that Sir Fred must be up to something by only seeing her when there is a full moon (the snake in Eden). Lady Wendylyn tests Sir Fred's love by requesting to see him at night. This leads to a climactic ending where Lady Wendylyn and Sir Fred each face their own fears in order to save the other, proving that their love for each other was stronger than their phobias.

Hollywood would do well to come out with such a good romance. Illustrations are funny; could't help but think that Sir Fred looks like Gerard Depardieu!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Knight Who Was Afraid of the Dark, June 4, 2010

By 

Jennifer Fowler (Puyallup, WA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Knight Who Was Afraid of the Dark (Hardcover)

I use this book with my fifth grade students, reading part of the book and then having them write their own ending, before revealing the ending by the author. They love this fairy tale. It's just the right mix of love story, bad guys and action, and good wins over evil. All told in a very mild, safe, appropriate manner. The pictures are fun and filled with imagination. It's a great combination and I highly recommend this book.