Take Care, Good Knight (review)

The gallant knight famed in early readers (Good Night, Good Knight, BCCB 2/00, et al.), again rides ("clippety-clop, clippety-clop") to the rescue of his three little dragon friends who have recently agreed to do a favor for a wizard by looking after his cats. He left detailed instructions—illustrated, no less—on tasks to be performed, but since the dragons can't read, they rely solely on the pictures. As a result, kitties are taken for a swim rather than given water, stuffed into a cupboard rather than fed, brought on a camping trip rather than tucked in at bedtime. Fortunately, the Good Knight intervenes before too much damage is done, and while a grateful wizard presents the dragons with a kitten for a job well done, the Good Knight gifts them with an ABC book and reading lessons. Previous adventures have been formatted for the emergent readers, and with this title's shift to a larger trim size, the audience shifts as well from the readalone to the readaloud set, and children who have enjoyed the DIY pleasures of the first books may be reluctant to revert to a more "childish" presentation. The "You HAVE to learn to read" message is effectively and amusingly delivered, though, and with the driving rhythms, frequent repetitions, and delightful ink-and-watercolor cartoon-style pictures, this will be a fine step-up into a solidly entertaining series.