The Storybook Knight by Helen & Thomas Docherty by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (September, 2016) is a book that I have read almost every single night since it showed up on our front porch a few weeks ago.  This book is all about being brave and bold.  About using your mind to solve problems.  Most importantly it’s about sharing a love of reading!

So let’s just dive right into what makes this book one that your petites will beg to have read over and over.  First the illustrations!  They have a classical, familiar feel, almost like Richard Scarry; but with that said it’s completely unique in their own right.  Leo is part of a lovely family who want the best for him.  They encourage him to be a knight, but he doesn’t want to fight.  He wants to sit and read (sounds like an awesome mouse, right?).

Leo decided he will give being a knight a try, so he packs his brand-new shield and sword, sandwiches and lots of books.  When he sets off on his quest he encounters many new creatures; a griffin, troll and dragon!  (Have you ordered this fantastic book yet?)  In his encounters these creatures are used to ordinary knights who fight, but Leo is quite different, instead of using force to get what he wants, he uses his wit and the books he has packed for his journey.

What we love most about Leo is that although these creatures are much bigger than he is, he is brave!  He is bold!  He’s smart!  Leo is everything we want in a hero.  This book is so much fun to read aloud, with the rhyming and fantastic characters, it is so well written you just have to read it aloud.  We love this book and are certain that this book will be a huge hit with your petites!

Teachers and parents I cannot rave about this book enough, you have to check it out for yourselves.  The lovely folks at Sourcebook Jabberwocky have created two really great guides to help you make the most of this fantastic book.

Activity Pack | Educator Guide

I also feel compelled to tell you that this is not Helen and Thomas Docherty’s first book, for that you will have to check out The Snatchabook!  Snatchabook is a delightful story (that also can be purchased through your kiddos Scholastic Book account), it is all about the love of books!  One night a darling bunny, Eliza Brown is reading her stories and all of a sudden they disappear!  It is a perfect mystery for petites.  All of the books in Burrow Down and very suspiciously disappearing; Eliza Brown decides she’s had enough and is up for the challenge of figuring out just what is going on.  Eliza sets a magnificent trap for the book thief and patiently waits….until she discovers just who has been stealing all of the books in Burrow Down…the Snatchabook!  This story is so much fun.  It is a fantastic read aloud.