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The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived
Knights, dragons, and princesses are the things all good fairytales are made of, but what happens when the tale has an LGBTQ ending? Follow Cedric on his journey from his days on a humble pumpkin farm to the adventures that lead him to become a full-fledged knight. Once a knight, discover how he uses his cleverness and courage to vanquish a fire-breathing dragon and rescue a beautiful prince and princess. It is only then does Sir Cedric face his most difficult challenge. Will he follow his heart, and prove that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is choose for yourself how your fairy tale ends?
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 21, 2014
2 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 22, 2020
First up, I can't comment on the Hulu show that has been made of this book as it is not (yet) accessible in Canada. Second, when I requested this ARC I was not aware it was being made into a show; I just wanted to read a fairy tale with a 'twist'.
We start out very typical with "Once Upon a Time" and while it all ends with "Happily Ever After" the content in the middle of this knight's story is not quite what you'd expect. Written in rhyming couplets it's easy to find a flow and pace that works and keeps the story quite even throughout. But watch out, I found myself thinking, talking and writing in rhyme for a time (lol).
"The driver ran away and left the carriage to the thief.
Cedric peered from up above, behind an autumn leaf."
As I said, The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived has a couple of twists on the 'typical' knight saving story. There are three distinct differences. First we have a female dragon (but don't worry she still breathes fire) and our knight saves, not only a princess, but her brother who is (of course) a prince. Our final twist is foreshadowed many times with the repetition of the line "this isn't how it ends". The story is complete with a note from the United Nations (UN) that everyone should be free to be themselves.
Something interesting, that I noted right away, is that if you pick this book up and don't flip to read the end (only look at cover and blurb) you'd not guess at the ending. I like that this means children may choose the book without their parents necessarily censoring (ie: at the library) due to it's LGBTQ+ content. This helps get the message out that 'gay books' aren't to be flagged or called out. They are just the same as every other story book for children and should be consumed the same as any other story we read to kids.
This cute story, with it's fun illustrations has one flaw for me. Halfway through our boy, Cedric, is knighted by the one training him. However his trainer is a knight himself. Historically this would have been a king or queen bestowing the honour; but hey nobody likes hierarchical society anyways right? :)
Overall I can't speak highly enough to this story and it's subtle, yet strong messaging. Regardless of what makes you 'different', be it gender, race, religion, sexuality, etc.; we are all the same in the end. Each of us is on a quest to find our 'Happily Ever After'.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
We start out very typical with "Once Upon a Time" and while it all ends with "Happily Ever After" the content in the middle of this knight's story is not quite what you'd expect. Written in rhyming couplets it's easy to find a flow and pace that works and keeps the story quite even throughout. But watch out, I found myself thinking, talking and writing in rhyme for a time (lol).
"The driver ran away and left the carriage to the thief.
Cedric peered from up above, behind an autumn leaf."
As I said, The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived has a couple of twists on the 'typical' knight saving story. There are three distinct differences. First we have a female dragon (but don't worry she still breathes fire) and our knight saves, not only a princess, but her brother who is (of course) a prince. Our final twist is foreshadowed many times with the repetition of the line "this isn't how it ends". The story is complete with a note from the United Nations (UN) that everyone should be free to be themselves.
Something interesting, that I noted right away, is that if you pick this book up and don't flip to read the end (only look at cover and blurb) you'd not guess at the ending. I like that this means children may choose the book without their parents necessarily censoring (ie: at the library) due to it's LGBTQ+ content. This helps get the message out that 'gay books' aren't to be flagged or called out. They are just the same as every other story book for children and should be consumed the same as any other story we read to kids.
This cute story, with it's fun illustrations has one flaw for me. Halfway through our boy, Cedric, is knighted by the one training him. However his trainer is a knight himself. Historically this would have been a king or queen bestowing the honour; but hey nobody likes hierarchical society anyways right? :)
Overall I can't speak highly enough to this story and it's subtle, yet strong messaging. Regardless of what makes you 'different', be it gender, race, religion, sexuality, etc.; we are all the same in the end. Each of us is on a quest to find our 'Happily Ever After'.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
June 29, 2019
I was sent this book as an advanced copy by the publisher via Edelweiss for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.
Why am I reading children's books on my Saturday night? Well because they're gay and I've deluded myself into thinking that I have an online presence and therefore I should spread the word about all kinds of queer books. And maybe someone reading this is a parent of a small kid and would like more recommendations like this, so here I am.
(Also I never had books like this as a kid and I think it's fascinating and cool and amazing that we have them now)
This short illustrated book is told through rhymes and it follows a young boy in his quest to becoming a squire first and then a knight. He looks for his happy ending and he finds it in the prince he rescues.
The art is very colorful and simple and there is little text (two lines or so) on every page, so this would be good to read out loud to a small kid who can't read on their own yet. I also found out there's a show on Hulu that's connected to this and it's like a sequel, with our knight and his prince and their adopted daughter.
So yeah, definitely recommend for introducing diverse stories to small kids!
Why am I reading children's books on my Saturday night? Well because they're gay and I've deluded myself into thinking that I have an online presence and therefore I should spread the word about all kinds of queer books. And maybe someone reading this is a parent of a small kid and would like more recommendations like this, so here I am.
(Also I never had books like this as a kid and I think it's fascinating and cool and amazing that we have them now)
This short illustrated book is told through rhymes and it follows a young boy in his quest to becoming a squire first and then a knight. He looks for his happy ending and he finds it in the prince he rescues.
The art is very colorful and simple and there is little text (two lines or so) on every page, so this would be good to read out loud to a small kid who can't read on their own yet. I also found out there's a show on Hulu that's connected to this and it's like a sequel, with our knight and his prince and their adopted daughter.
So yeah, definitely recommend for introducing diverse stories to small kids!
September 1, 2019
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars ⭐
This book is undeniably adorable!
It follows a little boy, Cedric, who loves pumpkins, in his journey to become a knight.
The artwork is absolutely beautiful and I love how there is rhyme throughout the story because it made the writing flow very nicely.
I also adore how this effortlessly includes LGBTQ+ characters and I think this would be an amazing book for young children, especially since it exposes them to those themes, teaching them to be accepting from an early age.
If you have a child in your life who loves reading, I would highly recommend this novel as a gift!
4 stars ⭐
This book is undeniably adorable!
It follows a little boy, Cedric, who loves pumpkins, in his journey to become a knight.
The artwork is absolutely beautiful and I love how there is rhyme throughout the story because it made the writing flow very nicely.
I also adore how this effortlessly includes LGBTQ+ characters and I think this would be an amazing book for young children, especially since it exposes them to those themes, teaching them to be accepting from an early age.
If you have a child in your life who loves reading, I would highly recommend this novel as a gift!
November 29, 2015
A sweet little fairytale written for young children about a little boy's adventures. There's a gentle rhyme and humour to it and it made me smile.
I like how this story ends, sometimes it's not about the pretty, pretty princess and every child deserves the right to dream.
It's illustrated and narrated, a short video I recommend even to those who don't have kids ;) - available free here click here for video go watch it!
I like how this story ends, sometimes it's not about the pretty, pretty princess and every child deserves the right to dream.
It's illustrated and narrated, a short video I recommend even to those who don't have kids ;) - available free here click here for video go watch it!
July 18, 2019
And Cedric knew, "My fairy tale...this is how it ends."
Sometimes all you really need is a children's book with pretty pictures and rhyming words.
Cedric loves two things - pumpkins and playing at being a knight. Maybe one day he'll get to be the real thing.
But he knows one thing for sure - a princess isn't where his story will lead.
The storybook follows Cedric as he becomes a real knight, and then saves his prince. From a ferocious fire-breathing dragon, of course.
I was thoroughly entertained for the few minutes it took to read through this little tale. It's not preachy, but does manage to get the point across - love is love. It's a sweet story, and one I hope might help little boys and girls confused about their own feelings find something to relate to.
10/10 would recommend reading 'The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived' to any little ones in your house. 10/10 would recommend reading this for fun, regardless of your age.
And if you have Hulu, there's apparently a new cartoon series based on the book!
Review copy provided through NetGalley
Sometimes all you really need is a children's book with pretty pictures and rhyming words.
Cedric loves two things - pumpkins and playing at being a knight. Maybe one day he'll get to be the real thing.
But he knows one thing for sure - a princess isn't where his story will lead.
The storybook follows Cedric as he becomes a real knight, and then saves his prince. From a ferocious fire-breathing dragon, of course.
I was thoroughly entertained for the few minutes it took to read through this little tale. It's not preachy, but does manage to get the point across - love is love. It's a sweet story, and one I hope might help little boys and girls confused about their own feelings find something to relate to.
10/10 would recommend reading 'The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived' to any little ones in your house. 10/10 would recommend reading this for fun, regardless of your age.
And if you have Hulu, there's apparently a new cartoon series based on the book!
Review copy provided through NetGalley
June 4, 2015
Watched the short on Hulu. Such an amazing children's story.
July 27, 2019
*thank you to Netgalley, Schiffer Publishing Ltd and Daniel Errico for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
"No one should be punished for being themselves. No one should be treated unfairly because of whom they love."
4 stars.
This is not your standard Knight story. The knight doesn't slay the dragon and then marry the Princess. No, that is not how this story goes. Yeah there is a dragon (Yay!) and yes there is a Prince and Princess that are saved, but it's not the Princess that the Knight Cedrick has his eyes on. This story made me smile such girly smile by the end of it. It is just so adorable and the message it sends to children of all ages is that love is love, no matter your gender.
The use of water colours in the artwork give this such a beautiful and bright look to the illustrations. At first I wasn't sure about the water colours based on the cover, but they really do look amazing. I would imagine that as an actual physical copy they would look even better. A beautiful story for the LBGTQ community and one the author, Daniel Errico, and illustrator, Shiloh Penfield should be proud of.
"No one should be punished for being themselves. No one should be treated unfairly because of whom they love."
4 stars.
This is not your standard Knight story. The knight doesn't slay the dragon and then marry the Princess. No, that is not how this story goes. Yeah there is a dragon (Yay!) and yes there is a Prince and Princess that are saved, but it's not the Princess that the Knight Cedrick has his eyes on. This story made me smile such girly smile by the end of it. It is just so adorable and the message it sends to children of all ages is that love is love, no matter your gender.
The use of water colours in the artwork give this such a beautiful and bright look to the illustrations. At first I wasn't sure about the water colours based on the cover, but they really do look amazing. I would imagine that as an actual physical copy they would look even better. A beautiful story for the LBGTQ community and one the author, Daniel Errico, and illustrator, Shiloh Penfield should be proud of.
July 13, 2019
Thank you very much to Schiffer Kids for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Awww this was adorable! I've never read a queer kids book before -- and I definitely never read one when I myself was a kid -- and I'm glad this one was the first, and that children have these kinds of books today, because they're so important.
The book is short -- it's a children's novel -- and follows a young boy on his quest to becoming a knight. He eventually rescues a prince and his sister, and falls for the prince. It's a quick, sweet book that all children will enjoy. The artwork was lovely and beautiful too.
Also! Apparently this book has been turned into a TV series by Hulu! It doesn't follow this book exactly, it's more about the knight and his now husband as they're older, and the knight begins to tell their daughter the story of his adventures. I'm definitely going to watch it!
Awww this was adorable! I've never read a queer kids book before -- and I definitely never read one when I myself was a kid -- and I'm glad this one was the first, and that children have these kinds of books today, because they're so important.
The book is short -- it's a children's novel -- and follows a young boy on his quest to becoming a knight. He eventually rescues a prince and his sister, and falls for the prince. It's a quick, sweet book that all children will enjoy. The artwork was lovely and beautiful too.
Also! Apparently this book has been turned into a TV series by Hulu! It doesn't follow this book exactly, it's more about the knight and his now husband as they're older, and the knight begins to tell their daughter the story of his adventures. I'm definitely going to watch it!
July 28, 2019
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
this was so adorable! i wish i had a child in my life to read this to because i feel like it’s so important to normalise things especially for kiddos 🥺
this was so adorable! i wish i had a child in my life to read this to because i feel like it’s so important to normalise things especially for kiddos 🥺
August 14, 2019
This adorable, pumpkin-armored knight will make you smile for sure!
“Once upon a time, inside a kingdom like your own,
There lived a knight named Cedric, the bravest ever known.”
The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived is a fairy tale full of the classics—castles, knights, and dragons. But we also get a new take on the happily ever after. Does Cedric slay the dragon and find his prince? YES!, I said prince! :) This ending is definitely needed on fairy tale shelves everywhere.
Cedric is our hero. A lad we follow from his pumpkin farming roots to his saving-the-day days! He steps in to help, fights dragons in clever ways, and maybe, just maybe finds love in the end. A perfect happily ever after that added a little sweetness to my day.
So if you’re looking for a tale that highlights smarts, bravery, and heart in fun read aloud language…look no more. You found it with Cedric, the bravest knight of all. I feel like I should wave a sword in the air after that line. :D Off to find my sword….
Highly recommended. A perfect book for Fall time, which is coming up fast!
July 29, 2020
In fact I would have given it 4 solid stars, but it is a matter of principle, because I saw a homophobic 1-star-review...
The book is delightful: after years of hard training a brave pumpkin farmer becomes a (pumpkin-addicted) knight, and instead of slaying the dragon . There is obviously a happy ending.
It's the first time that I saw a message from the United Nations Human Rights Office in a children book, it is appropriate for young ones («No one should be punished for being themselves. No one should be treated unfairly because of whom they love»), and has a link to the United Nations' global campaign against homophobia and transphobia.
The book is delightful: after years of hard training a brave pumpkin farmer becomes a (pumpkin-addicted) knight, and instead of slaying the dragon . There is obviously a happy ending.
It's the first time that I saw a message from the United Nations Human Rights Office in a children book, it is appropriate for young ones («No one should be punished for being themselves. No one should be treated unfairly because of whom they love»), and has a link to the United Nations' global campaign against homophobia and transphobia.
August 7, 2019
What little kid (as in still a toddler) cares about marriage, is the main question I have about this book. I liked it all in all, just why about the marriage? And I would have asked this if it was a man and a woman, or a woman and woman. Just reading to my four year old, and it felt odd to be talking about marriage at all, which my kid couldn't care less about. But the dragon was cool, and we both agreed we wouldn't want to feed a dragon, even if it only wanted to eat pumpkins.
November 30, 2022
Cedric is a pumpkin farmer who wants to be the Bravest Knight who ever lived.
He becomes a hero, the knight he's always wanted to be, even rescuing a Prince and Princess from a fearsome dragon.
The biggest test of bravery is having the courage to speak up for who you love.
In this cute fairytale-twist, Daniel Errico gives us a loveable hero and Shiloh Penfield's illustrations provide us with whimsical illustrations and evokes elation and joy.
He becomes a hero, the knight he's always wanted to be, even rescuing a Prince and Princess from a fearsome dragon.
The biggest test of bravery is having the courage to speak up for who you love.
In this cute fairytale-twist, Daniel Errico gives us a loveable hero and Shiloh Penfield's illustrations provide us with whimsical illustrations and evokes elation and joy.
June 11, 2019
This is a great picture book that teaches us all how to be true ourselves. As I read the story I realized I had seen this before (on Hulu as a short). Glad to see it in print again in a lovely edition too.
November 5, 2019
This is utterly precious~
This is super sweet and cute. I love the cleverness of Cedric and the art is super cute. The ending, Cedric getting the prince, was so sweet and I got a little misty eyed. These are kinds of stories we need in this world~
This is super sweet and cute. I love the cleverness of Cedric and the art is super cute. The ending, Cedric getting the prince, was so sweet and I got a little misty eyed. These are kinds of stories we need in this world~
July 22, 2019
This was such a lovely story! I thought that the images were lovely, the story had a lovely flow to it and some excellent characters too. It is 5 stars from me, it was well written and I loved the ending – very highly recommended!!
August 4, 2019
(ARC|GIFTED|NETGALLEY) this was instantly a winner for me as I adore children’s books that rhyme! So cute and the illustrations were wonderful.
June 15, 2019
I've read countless fairytales in my life but never something like this. It follows the story of how Cedric, a poor and an honest pumpkin farmer who went on to become a distinguished knight. The story was narrated in a poetic manner with a lovely rhyme scheme. The illustrations complemented the narration well and made it even more enjoyable to read. The LGBTQ touch at the end was magnificent and quite unexpected. It brought a wide smile on my face. Hands down to Daniel Errico for selecting such a need-of-the-hour subject and weaving a heartwarming tale around it. I wish to see more such LGBTQ fairy tales in the coming years. I'm giving this one a solid five. Probably the best picture book I've read all year.
April 24, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
In so many ways, I found The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived by Daniel Errico and Illustrated by Shiloh Penfield to be one of the best children’s books I have ever read. I feel truly grateful to live in a time where a book like this has been published and frankly a little disgusted that it’s only now that this is becoming somewhat more common. The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived is a Story about a Knight who saves and falls in love with a Prince. And I loved every second of reading it.
The story begins with young Cedric, growing up on a pumpkin farm and dreaming of the day when he might become a knight. He soon meets a real Knight who takes him in as an apprentice and one day knights Cedric when he retires. And thus begins the brilliant journey and adventure of the now teenage knight. And as is to be expected, he one day comes across a castle guarded by a fire-breathing dragon who is holding a young Prince and his sister captive. Though many nights have tried to save them, they have all been roasted in the process.
This was a beautifully woven story, one that I know I will treasure for years to come. And I think it will be treasured by many, many people who get a chance to read it. As a children’s book there is so much to be gained by having kids read this. Not only does it increase the ability for people who identify with it to see themselves in a story, but it also breeds acceptance. At the end of the day, The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived is a Story about love and adventure. It’s one that has been told with straight couples far more times than I could even begin to count. I’m glad to see it told now for others. I hope to see more in the future.
I would definitely suggest this book for just about everyone I know. It should be in all the schools and it should 100% be a book all children are introduced to.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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In so many ways, I found The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived by Daniel Errico and Illustrated by Shiloh Penfield to be one of the best children’s books I have ever read. I feel truly grateful to live in a time where a book like this has been published and frankly a little disgusted that it’s only now that this is becoming somewhat more common. The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived is a Story about a Knight who saves and falls in love with a Prince. And I loved every second of reading it.
The story begins with young Cedric, growing up on a pumpkin farm and dreaming of the day when he might become a knight. He soon meets a real Knight who takes him in as an apprentice and one day knights Cedric when he retires. And thus begins the brilliant journey and adventure of the now teenage knight. And as is to be expected, he one day comes across a castle guarded by a fire-breathing dragon who is holding a young Prince and his sister captive. Though many nights have tried to save them, they have all been roasted in the process.
This was a beautifully woven story, one that I know I will treasure for years to come. And I think it will be treasured by many, many people who get a chance to read it. As a children’s book there is so much to be gained by having kids read this. Not only does it increase the ability for people who identify with it to see themselves in a story, but it also breeds acceptance. At the end of the day, The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived is a Story about love and adventure. It’s one that has been told with straight couples far more times than I could even begin to count. I’m glad to see it told now for others. I hope to see more in the future.
I would definitely suggest this book for just about everyone I know. It should be in all the schools and it should 100% be a book all children are introduced to.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Want to read
July 16, 2019The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived flips inclusion 40 pages in the right direction. The focus of this archetypal or paradigmatic traditional tale is not differentiation or discrimination. Instead of fighting bigotry, Cedric heroically fights a dragon, and bravely requests the fairy tale ending he has in mind for himself.
Cedric is a solid protagonist in his own right: friendly, adventurous, brave, humble, and a quick thinker. There isn’t just one label that makes Cedric the person he is. Through his actions, we see his many traits and understand that one or two labels wouldn’t comprise Cedric’s character. The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived stands out because it isn’t a book about overcoming labels. Cedric isn’t not simply a boy from a poor farming family; he’s not a simply a young squire eager to prove himself; and he’s not even a knight seeking glory. This wonderful book illustrates the courage of a boy being accepted and valued for being exactly the person he is, without pretending to be something he’s not and without allowing preconceptions to shape his life.
Daniel Errico’s book has an inspiringly powerful ending, but there’s more to like about it. One of the things I liked most about this story is that the oldest character is the one who opened his mind and his heart. Standing before his son and daughter, the king is the only one thrown by the juxtaposition of the relationship Cedric proposes, but only momentarily; he reconciles his confusion quickly when he sees the way Cedric and the prince look at each other. Shiloh Penfield’s illustrations capture this profound moment in which the king who, quickly and of his own volition, overcomes his preconceived notions about love and demonstrates acceptance. Sometimes, the best children’s books are those in which lessons are imparted upon adult characters rather than the young ones.
Thanks to Schiffer Publishing Ltd and NetGalley for the provided e-ARC and the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest, unbiased, and voluntary. #NetGalley #TheBravestKnightWhoEverLived
Cedric is a solid protagonist in his own right: friendly, adventurous, brave, humble, and a quick thinker. There isn’t just one label that makes Cedric the person he is. Through his actions, we see his many traits and understand that one or two labels wouldn’t comprise Cedric’s character. The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived stands out because it isn’t a book about overcoming labels. Cedric isn’t not simply a boy from a poor farming family; he’s not a simply a young squire eager to prove himself; and he’s not even a knight seeking glory. This wonderful book illustrates the courage of a boy being accepted and valued for being exactly the person he is, without pretending to be something he’s not and without allowing preconceptions to shape his life.
Daniel Errico’s book has an inspiringly powerful ending, but there’s more to like about it. One of the things I liked most about this story is that the oldest character is the one who opened his mind and his heart. Standing before his son and daughter, the king is the only one thrown by the juxtaposition of the relationship Cedric proposes, but only momentarily; he reconciles his confusion quickly when he sees the way Cedric and the prince look at each other. Shiloh Penfield’s illustrations capture this profound moment in which the king who, quickly and of his own volition, overcomes his preconceived notions about love and demonstrates acceptance. Sometimes, the best children’s books are those in which lessons are imparted upon adult characters rather than the young ones.
Thanks to Schiffer Publishing Ltd and NetGalley for the provided e-ARC and the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest, unbiased, and voluntary. #NetGalley #TheBravestKnightWhoEverLived
May 24, 2020
Originally published at Mr. Alex's Bookshelf: https://mralexbookshelf.com/2020/05/2...
Daniel Errico left his job as an engineer to pursue a career as a children’s book author. He created the site Free Children’s Stories, believing that every child should have access to stories for free. A self-identified cisgender, heterosexual male, Errico writes a beautiful, touching story about a young pumpkin-farmer turned dashing knight. With a twist.
Quick Rating: Buy & Keep
Summary
Cedric, our young hero, lived on a pumpkin farm fantasizing about becoming a knight in shining armour. He engaged in pretend-play with his friends, often donning a suit of pumpkins and rescuing damsels from trolls and dragons. As is often the case in fairytales, Cedric became the apprentice to an actual knight who taught him the tricks-of-the-trade.
Eventually, Cedric grew and became a Knight in his own right. You know what comes next. He rescues a Kingdom from a dragon. And, a princess offers to marry him. So far, we have our average fairytale. Here’s where average stop. Cedric, would rather marry her brother the Prince. The Prince is delighted. After a little hesitation from the King, Cedric and the Prince marry. And they live happily ever after. So happy in fact, that they get their own series on HULU.
Illustrations
Penfield’s illustrations are warm and friendly. They conjure a fairytale land that is both familiar and distinct. Yes, it looks like the world of enchantment, but it has its own unique feel. Particularly delightful is the sequence highlighting the royal wedding, where no expense is spared. The battle with the dragon is also impressive.
It's On My Bookshelf
It is easy to write a story based on an old trope. It is much harder to write a good story based on an old trope and add a twist. Errico succeeds. What’s particularly striking is that the story gives subtle hints throughout, that all is not as it seems; hints, but not clues that are so obvious that your head aches while you read them. By the time you get to the end, however, everything is as it should be and you’ve been guided, not cattle-proded. Errico presents the marriage as a natural conclusion, not as a political statement. Amen.
The warmth of the rhyme (although a bit forced in places), the simplicity of word choice, and the innocence of the characters, come together to present the material in an easily accessible format for kids.
We need stories like this one. We need stories that show kids that it’s okay to be different and to love whom they choose to love. Too many kids are still growing up the victims of bullying and self-hatred. And that’s, why this book stays on my bookshelf. [End.]
Daniel Errico left his job as an engineer to pursue a career as a children’s book author. He created the site Free Children’s Stories, believing that every child should have access to stories for free. A self-identified cisgender, heterosexual male, Errico writes a beautiful, touching story about a young pumpkin-farmer turned dashing knight. With a twist.
Quick Rating: Buy & Keep
Summary
Cedric, our young hero, lived on a pumpkin farm fantasizing about becoming a knight in shining armour. He engaged in pretend-play with his friends, often donning a suit of pumpkins and rescuing damsels from trolls and dragons. As is often the case in fairytales, Cedric became the apprentice to an actual knight who taught him the tricks-of-the-trade.
Eventually, Cedric grew and became a Knight in his own right. You know what comes next. He rescues a Kingdom from a dragon. And, a princess offers to marry him. So far, we have our average fairytale. Here’s where average stop. Cedric, would rather marry her brother the Prince. The Prince is delighted. After a little hesitation from the King, Cedric and the Prince marry. And they live happily ever after. So happy in fact, that they get their own series on HULU.
Illustrations
Penfield’s illustrations are warm and friendly. They conjure a fairytale land that is both familiar and distinct. Yes, it looks like the world of enchantment, but it has its own unique feel. Particularly delightful is the sequence highlighting the royal wedding, where no expense is spared. The battle with the dragon is also impressive.
It's On My Bookshelf
It is easy to write a story based on an old trope. It is much harder to write a good story based on an old trope and add a twist. Errico succeeds. What’s particularly striking is that the story gives subtle hints throughout, that all is not as it seems; hints, but not clues that are so obvious that your head aches while you read them. By the time you get to the end, however, everything is as it should be and you’ve been guided, not cattle-proded. Errico presents the marriage as a natural conclusion, not as a political statement. Amen.
The warmth of the rhyme (although a bit forced in places), the simplicity of word choice, and the innocence of the characters, come together to present the material in an easily accessible format for kids.
We need stories like this one. We need stories that show kids that it’s okay to be different and to love whom they choose to love. Too many kids are still growing up the victims of bullying and self-hatred. And that’s, why this book stays on my bookshelf. [End.]
March 30, 2022
I received a copy of The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived by Daniel Erico and illustrated by Shiloh Penfield from Pixel Mouse House Books in exchange for an honest review.
Children's picture books are so underrated and deserve more attention from adult readers. From the cover and start of The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived, readers are presented with a seemingly typical fairytale story. We start with the humble beginnings of a young boy, Cedric and the knowledge that he grows up to be the bravest knight ever known. As young Cedric grows up, he learns an important lesson from a knight - to protect the weak, be true, be strong, and see the right from wrong. With these lessons, Cedric sets off to do just so. He defeats a dragon in a clever way and he rescues a prince and a princess. And when it came time to his reward, the knight is presented with the princess' hand. And at this time, he chooses to be brave and choose what is right for him.
What is so clever about this book is that it presents love as such a beautiful, ordinary and yet extraordinary thing. That it can look different and perhaps not generally found in the fairytales told before. Even the king in the story needed time to understand and see that the story was always supposed to play out this way. There is a sense that love will always win, and it should be accepted just as easily as how we have always accepted that the knight will defeat the dragon and save the day.
Children's picture books are so underrated and deserve more attention from adult readers. From the cover and start of The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived, readers are presented with a seemingly typical fairytale story. We start with the humble beginnings of a young boy, Cedric and the knowledge that he grows up to be the bravest knight ever known. As young Cedric grows up, he learns an important lesson from a knight - to protect the weak, be true, be strong, and see the right from wrong. With these lessons, Cedric sets off to do just so. He defeats a dragon in a clever way and he rescues a prince and a princess. And when it came time to his reward, the knight is presented with the princess' hand. And at this time, he chooses to be brave and choose what is right for him.
What is so clever about this book is that it presents love as such a beautiful, ordinary and yet extraordinary thing. That it can look different and perhaps not generally found in the fairytales told before. Even the king in the story needed time to understand and see that the story was always supposed to play out this way. There is a sense that love will always win, and it should be accepted just as easily as how we have always accepted that the knight will defeat the dragon and save the day.
June 6, 2019
A good book, but certainly not the one I was expecting. A humble pumpkin farmer's son flukes his way into the knighthood, and has a successful mission. The beginning of the lad's story is fine, then (if a little too much of the length of the book), and the middle equally decent (if short) – the whole thing hinges around what he wants his story's ending to be. Cue bible belt America burning copies of it (or deleting it at such a high speed it hardly touches their recycle bin), as we suddenly learn it's a book with a pro-gay message. Now I came to this without knowing there was an animation or years of free-to-download self-publishing for this title, and I of course have no qualms about the moral. I do think there was a way to get the reader to expect such a twist, as I suspect that would help normalise such things much more successfully. I guess that makes the difference between an adult book purchaser, who should always read the blurb and at least a page of reviews such as these, and a critic, who never should until afterwards. Forewarned is forearmed, and while I enjoyed the style of this book – it has great rhyming couplets – I do think the whole point of it jarred a little.
July 10, 2019
This picture book has beautiful, engaging illustrations and is told in rhyming couplets. It moves along at a good pace but manages to fit a lot of background in at the same time. It builds up from Cedric as a young boy playing on the farm to the feat of bravery that earns him an apprenticeship with a knight to his own knighting and his first solo quest as an adult.
On that quest, he comes across a brother and sister – prince and princess – trapped in a castle guarded by a fearsome dragon. Cedric uses some ingenuity and his pumpkin-farming background to defeat the dragon and rescue the kidnapped royals.
After a companionable journey back to the royals’ kingdom, the princess proposes to Cedric… who summons all his courage to tell her that actually, he’s fallen in love with the prince!
This book was everything I wanted it to be. Cedric is an endearing character and the story feels full and complete; sometimes stories in rhyme lack depth due to the narrative constraints, but this one managed those constraints admirably. There were one or two places where the rhymes were slightly awkward, but for the most part it all flowed and it would be a great read-aloud.
(There are also a few subtle hints in the story leading up to Cedric’s big reveal; gotta love a picture book that can handle foreshadowing!)
I loved the art, too. It was nicely detailed and cheerful; it fit the tone of the story well. High marks all around.
*I received an ARC of The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived from the publisher via Netgalley*
On that quest, he comes across a brother and sister – prince and princess – trapped in a castle guarded by a fearsome dragon. Cedric uses some ingenuity and his pumpkin-farming background to defeat the dragon and rescue the kidnapped royals.
After a companionable journey back to the royals’ kingdom, the princess proposes to Cedric… who summons all his courage to tell her that actually, he’s fallen in love with the prince!
This book was everything I wanted it to be. Cedric is an endearing character and the story feels full and complete; sometimes stories in rhyme lack depth due to the narrative constraints, but this one managed those constraints admirably. There were one or two places where the rhymes were slightly awkward, but for the most part it all flowed and it would be a great read-aloud.
(There are also a few subtle hints in the story leading up to Cedric’s big reveal; gotta love a picture book that can handle foreshadowing!)
I loved the art, too. It was nicely detailed and cheerful; it fit the tone of the story well. High marks all around.
*I received an ARC of The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived from the publisher via Netgalley*
July 9, 2019
This is an adorable little rhyming story about a knight who saves the day and lives happily ever after, except with a prince, not a princess. I'm not partial to rhyming stories, but this one flowed very nicely and wasn't forced. I feel like a lot of well-written picture books have only mediocre artwork, but Shiloh Penfield's illustrations are colorful and endearing. I think when the common narrative of children's books are heteronormative, it doesn't allow children to see other possibilities, and subtly informs kids that there is only one acceptable way to grow up.
Some people think that a young kid can't possibly know they are gay, but I find that ridiculous. When I had a boyfriend in kindergarten, no one told me that I couldn't possibly know that I liked boys. But even if you subscribe to that theory, only showing one version of happily ever after is saying there is only one correct way to live. This book's gorgeous illustrations and sweet story show that all types of love are acceptable endings to the fairy tale. Highly recommend!
Thanks, Net Galley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Some people think that a young kid can't possibly know they are gay, but I find that ridiculous. When I had a boyfriend in kindergarten, no one told me that I couldn't possibly know that I liked boys. But even if you subscribe to that theory, only showing one version of happily ever after is saying there is only one correct way to live. This book's gorgeous illustrations and sweet story show that all types of love are acceptable endings to the fairy tale. Highly recommend!
Thanks, Net Galley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2019
Okay. So first off I didn’t begin reading this book intending to cry or have any feeling beyond “awe what a cute children’s book”, but this book was fantastic and I had all of the feels by the end.
An adorably illustrated book about a little boy who follows his dreams to become a knight. Many adventures and persevering later the knight meets a princess and prince when he saves them from a dragon. When the princess asks for his hand in marriage he informs her he has fallen in love with the prince.
Holy plot twist!
This story screams be yourself! Be brave! Love who you love! Never underestimate you power to be amazing and for the world to accept you for who you are.
The pictures and rhyming were fun to follow and the way the story ended was just perfect. A different kind of fairy tale and I am so in love with it!
An adorably illustrated book about a little boy who follows his dreams to become a knight. Many adventures and persevering later the knight meets a princess and prince when he saves them from a dragon. When the princess asks for his hand in marriage he informs her he has fallen in love with the prince.
Holy plot twist!
This story screams be yourself! Be brave! Love who you love! Never underestimate you power to be amazing and for the world to accept you for who you are.
The pictures and rhyming were fun to follow and the way the story ended was just perfect. A different kind of fairy tale and I am so in love with it!
October 5, 2021
- 'To Your Story' at beginning
- rhyming
- pumpkins
- knight saves kingdom, initially princess falls in love with him but knight and prince fall in love with each other. At first king is confused but accepts and plans giant wedding celebration at end
- fun, lighthearted
- great message at end from United Nations Human Rights Office, explaining in simple terms that everyone has same "human rights"
"Human rights are things we should all have, or be able to do - no matter who we are, or where we come from.
No one should be punished for being themselves. No one should be treated unfairly because of whom they love."
UN working making sure no children or young people are bullied because o who they are or whom they love.
Great message
- rhyming
- pumpkins
- knight saves kingdom, initially princess falls in love with him but knight and prince fall in love with each other. At first king is confused but accepts and plans giant wedding celebration at end
- fun, lighthearted
- great message at end from United Nations Human Rights Office, explaining in simple terms that everyone has same "human rights"
"Human rights are things we should all have, or be able to do - no matter who we are, or where we come from.
No one should be punished for being themselves. No one should be treated unfairly because of whom they love."
UN working making sure no children or young people are bullied because o who they are or whom they love.
Great message
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2019
4.5 Stars
I loved the plot, the art (especially the adorable pumpkin boy, Cedric), and the sincere message the book sends! It’s cute, overall. However, there were times when the rhyming was distracting because of the amount of repetition of certain simple words (ex. too). It stood out, pulled me out of the story, and instead made me wonder why that certain word had been picked instead of another. It’s easy for children to forgive this though or even for it to go unnoticed by them, which is why I gave it a 4.5 (rounding up to 5) and not a 4.
Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for allowing me to review this book!
I loved the plot, the art (especially the adorable pumpkin boy, Cedric), and the sincere message the book sends! It’s cute, overall. However, there were times when the rhyming was distracting because of the amount of repetition of certain simple words (ex. too). It stood out, pulled me out of the story, and instead made me wonder why that certain word had been picked instead of another. It’s easy for children to forgive this though or even for it to go unnoticed by them, which is why I gave it a 4.5 (rounding up to 5) and not a 4.
Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for allowing me to review this book!
September 8, 2019
Super cute!
First, I think this is fantastic that the world is beginning to have alternate reading choices for kids. Second, the art in this is gorgeous and really well done. Third, the story itself is tremendously cute!
I didn’t love the rhyming – it didn’t always flow really smoothly and that was jarring sometimes, but the overall story and message was wonderful!
I loved the idea that the boy had an idea about who he was even when he was young and that manifested for the adult. Just like real life! This gives LGBTQ kids that idea that their feelings are “normal” too.
FWIW – my LGTBQ kid loved this too and was really energized by having read it!
4.5 of 5 stars
First, I think this is fantastic that the world is beginning to have alternate reading choices for kids. Second, the art in this is gorgeous and really well done. Third, the story itself is tremendously cute!
I didn’t love the rhyming – it didn’t always flow really smoothly and that was jarring sometimes, but the overall story and message was wonderful!
I loved the idea that the boy had an idea about who he was even when he was young and that manifested for the adult. Just like real life! This gives LGBTQ kids that idea that their feelings are “normal” too.
FWIW – my LGTBQ kid loved this too and was really energized by having read it!
4.5 of 5 stars
August 2, 2017
Love it!
This beautifully imagined fairy tale is as sweet and clever as most kids' stories, with the traditional coming of age heroes tale of the protagonist- but with a few refreshing and unconventional twists! The knight, drawing from his roots, creates pumpkin armor when he's forced to discard his usual. He defeats a dragon using intelligent and ingenious strategy, and without violence. And finally, he makes friends with, and then finds love with, the prince! I adore this sweet tale and hope there will be more like it soon!
This beautifully imagined fairy tale is as sweet and clever as most kids' stories, with the traditional coming of age heroes tale of the protagonist- but with a few refreshing and unconventional twists! The knight, drawing from his roots, creates pumpkin armor when he's forced to discard his usual. He defeats a dragon using intelligent and ingenious strategy, and without violence. And finally, he makes friends with, and then finds love with, the prince! I adore this sweet tale and hope there will be more like it soon!
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