Review by Booklist Review
Ned is the only child in his generically medieval village it sits under a castle and is visited each night by a terrifying dragon and as such, he gets stuck with all the chores. His response is always Yes! until, one morning, he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and starts saying No! The villagers are taken aback by Ned's sudden refusal to help, but when the dragon returns, his newfound stubbornness leads to a happy ending. Some of the storytelling, in both the premise and rhyming text, feels a bit contrived at times, but it's a small quibble in the wake of the marvelous illustrations. Ned is adorably depicted in a child's version of armor a chainmail-patterned shirt and plumed hood and even peripheral villagers are given enough detail to make their personalities pop. 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.--Ronny Khuri Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
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
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
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) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
