About the Holiday
All this month people are reading and celebrating their favorite books—both old and new. It’s also a terrific time to honor independent bookstores that serve their community with carefully chosen titles for all ages of readers. Some indies focus on one genre or age of reader, offering a vast array of familiar and surprising books for customers to explore. Others are known for a particular ambience—mysterious, scholarly, fun! But all give readers a sense of community and a feeling of awe and wonder at all of the stories to discover. This month make a stop into your local bookstore a family event and pick up a new book (or several) for everyone!
This week I’m happy to be sharing five new board books from Little Simon and to be partnering with them in an amazing giveaway of all five books. Simon & Schuster sent me the books to check out. All opinions are my own. You’ll find details about the giveaway below. Watch every day this week for another terrific title!
Hello Knights! (A Hello Book)
Written by Joan Holub | Illustrated by Chris Dickason
A knight checks out her shining reflection in the mirror before starting a day full of important jobs. In the castle, “knights run up. Knights run down. Take the queen her royal crown.” And what does the king need? Well! “Knights march here. Knights march there” all to “take the king his underwear.”
Besides these duties, knights have to protect the castle from dragons, but oh, no! Here they come! Purple, green, orange and pink, they’re flying in from every direction! The dragons are huge – much bigger than the knights. How can they defeat those fire-breathing beasts? The knights shout from the castle wall, warning the dragons to go away. But the dragons say they’re “coming in! “Will a battle now begin?”
Image copyright Chris Dickason, 2018, text copyright Joan Holub. Courtesy of Little Simon, Simon & Schuster.
On the turret the knights hold their swords, ready to fight. But one clever knight has a different solution. What’s that she says? “Wave the…underwear?” This flag is raised, and “all the dragons stop and stare.” What do they think? What do they do? In just a minute they’re “Huff-puff laughing dragon-style.” With belly laughs and music and dancing, a “party starts. Battle ends.” Now “knights and dragons” are “making friends.”
Image copyright Chris Dickason, 2018, text copyright Joan Holub. Courtesy of Little Simon, Simon & Schuster.
Little royalty will giggle and gasp as colorful dragons menace the castle only to be stopped by a silly display of the king’s underwear. Joan Holub’s fast-paced, dialogue rich storytelling will keep the youngest readers riveted to her gently suspenseful story that ends in laughs and a big bash, where the knights and dragons show off their musical talents, while a dragon and horse dance, the queen meets a newly hatched dragon, and the king roasts marshmallows by dragon fire. Holub’s short sentences invite kids to read along on second, third, fourth… readings.
Image copyright Chris Dickason, 2018, text copyright Joan Holub. Courtesy of Little Simon, Simon & Schuster.
Chris Dickason’s kingdom is as shiny as polished silver and as busy as a beehive, with knights running here and there to serve the king and queen and thwart the dragons. The queen with her smiling eyes and fluffy white kitten sits elegantly as the knights set her golden and jeweled crown atop her turquoise hair. The tattooed king readies himself to put his undies on as a knight looks away and a shocked dragon peers through the window. Little knights in the making will love the double-spread view of the dragons soaring through the clouds and the ensuing battle preparations. The showstopper is the double gatefold that reveals the castle courtyard complete with two die-cut walls that enclose a wild and royal jammin’ party with new friends.
Hello Knights is jousting good fun that little ones will want to hear again and again. The book is a treasure for gift-giving, home, library, and preschool classroom bookshelves.
Ages 1 – 4
Little Simon, Simon & Schuster, 2018 | ISBN 978-1534418684
Discover more about Joan Holub and her books on her website.
To learn more about Chris Dickason, his books, and his art on his website.
The Gift of Story Time Giveaway
Little Simon board books make the perfect gift for all of the young readers in your life! With cute and creative illustrations, accessible and engaging stories, and the perfect size and durability, these books are great for new parents and for reading aloud. These fun series teach important lessons and concepts through adorable characters, interesting stories, and hilarious creatures!
One (1) winner receives this collection of five sweet stories from Little Simon
- The Itsy Bitsy School Bus, written by Jeffrey Burton | illustrated by Sanja Rešček
- Roary the Lion Roars Too Loud, written by Ame Dyckman |illustrated by Alex G. Griffiths
- Día de los Muertos, written by Hannah Eliot | illustrated by Jorge Gutierrez
- This Little Scientist: A Discovery Primer, written by Joan Holub | illustrated by Daniel Roode
- Hello Knights!, written by Joan Holub | illustrated by Chris Dickason
To be entered to win, just Follow me on Twitter @CelebratePicBks and Retweet a giveaway tweet during this week, October 8 – 14. Already a follower? Thanks! Just retweet for a chance to win.
A winner will be chosen on October 15.
Giveaway open to US addresses only | Prizing and samples provided by Little Simon.
National Book Month Activity
Knight’s Tunic
Being a knight is exciting and fun! It’s even better with a knights tunic to wear! With this easy-to-make tunic, a t-shirt can be recycled into some cool royal wear!
Supplies
- Tee shirt with the sleeves cut off
- Thin cardboard (a cereal or other food box works well)
- Aluminum foil
- Scissors
- Permanent Markers
- Play jewels (optional)
- Fabric glue
- Rope, twine, or shoelace for a belt
- Tape
Directions
- Cut the sleeves off of the T-shirt
- Use the cardboard to create a crest shape
- Cover the cardboard with aluminum foil
- Tape the aluminum foil in back if necessary
- Children may enjoy decorating the crest for their tunic with markers and/or play jewels by themselves or with a bit of adult help
- Attach the finished crest to the tunic with fabric glue
- Use rope, twine, or a shoelace for a belt
You can find Hello Knights at these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound
Picture Book Review
