Customer Reviews

The Knight Who Was Afraid of the Dark (Picture Puffins)

5 star:		(4)
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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!

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!

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.

Go ahead, try not to fall in love with this gentle knight story. Detailed, captivating illustrations will keep your kids enthralled while the story stealthily imparts a universal lesson of facing your fears and the power of love. A good hearted knight, a heroine, a bad guy, fireflies and electric eels. Sigh. You'll be reading this again and again.