Good knight

As a "kingdom's hustle turns to hush," the titular play on homophones provides an ideal jumping-off point for this story about a rambunctious, bedtime-resisting young knight who begs for "ONE MORE JOUST?" Ackerman's rhymes mix medieval-style verse with comments from the recalcitrant youth as they battle their caregiver over bedtime prep: "Hounds trade the hunt for the hearth and home,/ while falcons nest with kin./ Though boars wake up to snout about,/ brave knights are turning in.// 'NOT THIS KNIGHT!' " Pe's slick digital cartoons play up the comedy of the conceit with physical humor that conveys the child's over-the-top energy and the caregiver's frustration. As an increasing percentage of the kingdom begins to drift off, the adult eventually manages to get their charge to "tuck your chain mail in the chest," grab a "teddy beast," and settle down for a non-punning "good night." Protagonists are portrayed with pale skin and red hair; background characters are shown with various skin tones. Ages 4--8. (May)

A child knight delays bedtime as the rest of the castle winds down for sleep. Each page finds the little knight seeking a way to postpone sleep. "Five more minutes!" shouts the youngster, and when the parent knight offers to read the little one a story, the child asks fortwo bedtime reads. The parent chases the youngster around the castle, past sleeping hounds, a dozing dragon, and slumbering Sir Horse-a-Lot. Adults will chuckle in sympathy as this caregiver attempts to ready the child for sleep, while kids will love the little knight's evasive moves. Making use of rich vocabulary (apothecaries,soot), the text hits just the right note, capturing the flavor of a medieval castle ("Troubadours stop strumming lutes. / Nobles end their dance") while also setting an appropriately soothing tone. The tale flows well when read aloud, with smooth rhymes; adults and kids alike will be eager to make this a bedtime staple. Depicting a vibrant castle full of action, the illustrations imaginatively blend Middle Ages hallmarks with more modern elements. The knights are tan-skinned, with red hair mostly concealed beneath their helmets, while the castle's other inhabitants vary in skin tone. When the knights finally remove their helmets at book's end, both are revealed to have long hair; the younger knight's tresses are adorned with pink bows. A fantastic bedtime read, both lyrical and playful.(Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.