The Storybook Knight by Helen Docherty, illus. Thomas Docherty
Source: Hardcopy courtesy of Raincoast Books. Thank you!
Publication: September 6, 2016 by Sourcebooks
Book Description:

Even dragons love a good story…

Leo was a gentle knight
in thought and word and deed.
While other knights liked fighting,
Leo liked to sit and read…

When Leo’s mom and dad pack him off to fight a dragon, he takes a shield, a sword-and a pile of his favorite books.

But can a story be as mighty as a sword?

I adore a good rhyming picture book and The Storybook Knight is indeed a great rhyming picture book! With gorgeous, warm illustrations by Thomas Docherty, and flowing, fun rhyming text by Helen Docherty, The Storybook Knight is a real treat for readers of all ages.

Leo, an adorable grey mouse, is a knight who is expected to be tough- a warrior who loves to battle. The truth is, though, Leo is a more gentle sort of knight who would much prefer to spend time reading and thinking about stories and words. But alas, his time of quiet reading comes to a bit of a halt when his parents- after seeing an ad for a “Knight Wanted!”- send him on a journey to tame an unruly, fire-breathing dragon. Leo packs sandwiches, “lots of books”, saddles his sweet horse Old Ned, and begins his trek. Before he even meets the dragon, however, Leo comes across a feisty griffin and a terrifying troll- intimidating creatures he has only ever read stories about! Using some bookish ingenuity- and the blissful promise to be read to!- Leo is able to subdue the fierce creatures and prepare for the dragon. Leo’s climactic meet with the big, scaly dragon is splendidly done, paving the way to a much-deserved lovely ending for Leo and some new friends.

The Storybook Knight is all around wonderful; a charming, highly appealing tale that speaks to the wonder and excitement of stories and reading aloud. Helen and Thomas Docherty, who are the team behind the much-loved picture book The Snatchabook, clearly have a winning recipe of how to best fuse their respective skills. Any readers who enjoy the work of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (the author and illustrator duo behind The Gruffalo, The Highway Rat, Tabby McTat and many more), or readers who simply enjoy delightful stories to enjoy quietly or aloud, might especially adore The Storybook Knight.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.