The Knight Who Said "No!"

by Lucy Rowland, Kate Hindley (Illustrator)

Overview

Ned the knight always does exactly what he’s told. When his parents ask him to pick up his toys, dig up the cabbages, or go to bed on time, he does it all with a smile. And when the dragon swoops into town every night, Ned always runs inside just as he’s asked. But one morning Ned says "NO!" He will not help his dad find his shield, his arrow, or his bow, and that night, he refuses to go inside. After a surprising encounter with the dragon, will he change his tune?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536208139
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	09/03/2019
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,090,140
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 11.60(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Lucy Rowland works as a speech and language therapist for children. Her experience and passion for her work prompted her to make the leap into writing picture books. When she’s not daydreaming about story ideas, reading A. A. Milne, or thinking up new rhymes, she enjoys backpacking, baking, and long walks on the beach. Lucy Rowland lives in London.

Kate Hindley is a children’s book illustrator living and working in the U.K. She worked as a print designer before illustrating her first book, Claire Freedman’s The Great Snortle Hunt, which was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Since then, she has illustrated a number of books, including the Smashie McPerter chapter books and Don't Call Me Choochie Pooh! by Sean Taylor.

Editorial Reviews

Children will relate to Ned's many emotions, and his "yes" and "no" responses in this rhyming story are predictable, allowing them to chime in during read-alouds. Wonderfully detailed village scenes with strong primary colors and geometric designs inspire shape recognition. Dominating her scenes, the fiery-red dragon's posture and often goofy facial expressions soften as she creates a new life with her friend...This emotionally astute tale will strike chords of recognition.
—Kirkus Reviews

It’s a vibrant little world, bright with creative coloring. After storytime, kids will race to the crayon bin to draw their own castles modeled after Hindley’s cleverly geometric designs. A visual treat.
—Booklist Online

From the Publisher

09/01/2019

PreS-Gr 2—Ned is a tiny knight with a lot on his plate. As the only child in the whole village, Ned helps all the adults with various tasks such as picking cabbages and getting firewood. He is always accommodating and ready to pitch in. Until one day, when Ned has finally had enough. Instead of a helpful 'YES!' to any request, his answer is now an emphatic 'NO!' Meanwhile, the red dragon who threatens the town every evening has also reached her breaking point. Lonely and tired of roaring, the dragon and Ned both recognize that they are kindred spirits. Kindness and empathy spark a lasting bond and Ned finds it much more fun to share chores with a friend. While the importance of friendship is clear, subtler messages are less so. It's not clear if Ned's disobedience is intended to be negative (plain old disrespect and temper), or whether it is actually a positive (a demonstration of personal boundaries when all the adults, including Ned's parent, seem to be taking advantage of the little imp). Ned's anger and resentment seem to arise from his extreme loneliness, but as that isn't clearly stated, the message may be aided by a discussion of healthy emotional expression. The illustrations are lively and colorful. Ned is adorable in his jaunty feathered helm and pint-sized gauntlets. Colorful spreads present myriad details ready for discovery. VERDICT An enjoyable medieval romp toward a fortuitous friendship.—Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, OH

School Library Journal

2019-05-26
Little knight Ned might be the most helpful child in the kingdom.

When asked to help, Ned, the village's only kid, always answers, "YES!" He also obediently scurries inside every night when the dragon comes and the grown-up knights tell people to take shelter. But one evening Ned thinks he hears the dragon sigh as everyone hides. Could the dragon be as lonely as he is? The next day, Ned feels "strange: all mad inside / and hot from top to toe," and he begins to answer "NO!" Whether it's a request for milk from his mother or assistance with his weaponry from his father, the answer is the same: "NO!" That night, when the dragon comes, Ned does not obey the knights but stays outside instead to beard the dragon, who is in fact lonely, triggering Ned's resounding "YES!" to a new friendship. Children will relate to Ned's many emotions, and his "yes" and "no" responses in this rhyming story are predictable, allowing them to chime in during read-alouds. Wonderfully detailed village scenes with strong primary colors and geometric designs inspire shape recognition. Dominating her scenes, the fiery-red dragon's posture and often goofy facial expressions soften as she creates a new life with her friend. Ned, his family, and most of the townspeople present white, but the butcher appears to be a man of color.

This emotionally astute tale will strike chords of recognition. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews