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The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids #29
Knights Don't Teach Piano
All the kids are taking piano lessons from a guy who lives in a creepy old castle. The Bailey School Kids suspect that the man may have a mysterious past.
66 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Debbie Dadey
237 books332 followersDebbie Dadey is the author and co-author of 162 books for children, including the Mermaid Tales series from Simon and Schuster and the beloved Adventures of The Bailey School Kids from Scholastic. Ms. Dadey is a former teacher and librarian. Please like her at Facebook.com/debbiedadey.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 13, 2026
Me and my fiance' have been watching Game Of Thrones,so I've decided to read some books dealing with Knights,dragons and midieval stuff.The first one I picked was a Bailey School Kids book.These are super short,so I felt like I coulld get through it pretty quickly.The one I picked was Knights Dont Teach Piano.My copy actually has inserts with a Bailey school kids fan club advertised,which was cool.The story begins with Howie,Melody and Liza at Eddie's birthday party.It's Knight themed ,with Knight stuff.Eddie's grandma has something for him and this guy comes up to him dressed in armor.This is where we meet Mr. Lance.E.Lott.He is dressed in a full knights uniform and speaks in a Brittish accent.Eddie initially thinks he gets a sword or sheild,or even a private knight,but his grandmother says no it's none of those things.Mr. Lance.E.Lott hands Eddie a envelope and we soon find out it's for piano lessons.This leads the other kids' parents signing all of the kids up for class.The kids are talking about Mr.Lance.E.Lott being kinda strange dressing as a knight and teaching piano. They end up seeing him cross the feild they are in on a horse.Eddie and Howie go to Mr. lance.E.lott's house first and,and it ends up looking more like a castle.They go to the house and Mr.Lance is still wearing a Suit of armor minus the helmet.Eddie sneaks off into the kitchen and finds a bowl of sugar cubes.He ends up finding this room that has knights sitting around a table,with nobody inside the suits.This scene is actually kinda creepy for this kind of book.Eddie ends up seeing this curtian and outside the curtian is a stone building.He sneaks outside to this building.Along the wall are wepons like swords and spears and also a giant horse.The horse goes to attack Eddie but realizes he has sugar cubes in his shirt and thats what the horse is after.The next day Eddie comes up with the conclusion that Mr.Lance is really Lanceelot from Camelot and is going to war with Bailey City.None of the kids belive Eddie,because while Lancelot was a real person,he was around one hundred years ago.One of the kids also point out that Lancelot was a good guy,until he tried to take Camelot away from King Arthurt.Howie actually speaks up and says there was a wizard that apparently kept King Arthur alive and he could possibly do this to Mr.Lance.Liza and Melody end up going to Mr.Lance's house.Mr.Lance tells Melody to go get some hot choclate in the kitchen.She grabs some folders off the piano bench and ends up finding the room Eddie told her about.She ends up knocking the folders over and finds a map of Bailey city.This leads to the climax of this short book with other knights showing up.It ties in nicely with an earlier scene.I give Knights Don't teach Piano a four out of five stars.
June 27, 2021
This was a weird one.
November 17, 2023
It starts out with Eddie’s birthday, and as a gift his grandma gives him a knight, not as party entertainment as expected, but as a piano teacher. So the gift wasn’t as good as he thought. His name is Lance E. Lott so you immediately see where it’s going.
It was weird how they described his armor as looking like he was covered with a huge pizza pan. It looked like he had a flat circular pan on his chest?
The rest of the kids got signed up for lessons too by their families, hearing about Eddie’s. They saw him riding a big horse around town. And when the boys went to his house, they found it to be a castle. Eddie went snooping while Howie played and there was a round table and in each chair sat a suit of armor. He heard a noise but all of them were empty. He pursued it outside an open door and ended up in a stable where the horse ate the sugar cubes from his pocket that he took from Lance. Eddie got it into his head that Lance was planning to overthrow the mayor and take over the city, and he’s Lancelot looking for a new kingdom.
It was refreshing but odd that Eddie, the one who never believes in anything, was the one to believe and was made fun of by the others. Nice for a change.
There were parts to the story that I didn’t know. I was surprised the kids said Lancelot was a real knight who did good deeds with the rest of the knights. But then he wanted Camelot for himself and fought Arthur for it but lost. Howie said a normal knight would have died but Camelot had a wizard and that’s how the wizard kept Arthur alive. And Lancelot could have been kept alive after the fight.
It was so absurd to at Lancelot would come to the U.S. and end up at Bailey City, trying to take over.
The girls went for their lesson and Lancelot was in a hurry, because he had a meeting. He stammered it out but that was not a strong clue at all. Melody found the round table room and dropped her music notes, discovering a battle plan at the park in the process.
Eddie wanted to show the others the weapons he had seen in the barn, but they came upon a scene with Lance and knights talking about taking the city. Some of the others were tired of Lance’s plans and wanted to take action, but he said it was his city. They took sides and started fighting.
They were busted and the kids weren’t going to let him take over, and Lance asked how they thought they could stop knights of the round table. Eddie put sugar cubes on the ground and the horses were intent on them and wouldn’t listen to their rider.
A few days later Eddie’s grandma took them to the park where there was a medieval festival. And it all started coming together. The seniors club had put it together for the town. Lance wasn’t among the jousting knights. He’d had to rush back to England. Eddie decided they weren’t really knight, just actors in the festival. Melody said she’d hang onto the map just to be sure.
What kind of ending was that? There was no conclusive evidence. No indications that he was from the past. He didn’t speak in old English, he didn’t make references to things from the medical period. He didn’t do anything at all that was suspicious. This was a letdown.
It was weird how they described his armor as looking like he was covered with a huge pizza pan. It looked like he had a flat circular pan on his chest?
The rest of the kids got signed up for lessons too by their families, hearing about Eddie’s. They saw him riding a big horse around town. And when the boys went to his house, they found it to be a castle. Eddie went snooping while Howie played and there was a round table and in each chair sat a suit of armor. He heard a noise but all of them were empty. He pursued it outside an open door and ended up in a stable where the horse ate the sugar cubes from his pocket that he took from Lance. Eddie got it into his head that Lance was planning to overthrow the mayor and take over the city, and he’s Lancelot looking for a new kingdom.
It was refreshing but odd that Eddie, the one who never believes in anything, was the one to believe and was made fun of by the others. Nice for a change.
There were parts to the story that I didn’t know. I was surprised the kids said Lancelot was a real knight who did good deeds with the rest of the knights. But then he wanted Camelot for himself and fought Arthur for it but lost. Howie said a normal knight would have died but Camelot had a wizard and that’s how the wizard kept Arthur alive. And Lancelot could have been kept alive after the fight.
It was so absurd to at Lancelot would come to the U.S. and end up at Bailey City, trying to take over.
The girls went for their lesson and Lancelot was in a hurry, because he had a meeting. He stammered it out but that was not a strong clue at all. Melody found the round table room and dropped her music notes, discovering a battle plan at the park in the process.
Eddie wanted to show the others the weapons he had seen in the barn, but they came upon a scene with Lance and knights talking about taking the city. Some of the others were tired of Lance’s plans and wanted to take action, but he said it was his city. They took sides and started fighting.
They were busted and the kids weren’t going to let him take over, and Lance asked how they thought they could stop knights of the round table. Eddie put sugar cubes on the ground and the horses were intent on them and wouldn’t listen to their rider.
A few days later Eddie’s grandma took them to the park where there was a medieval festival. And it all started coming together. The seniors club had put it together for the town. Lance wasn’t among the jousting knights. He’d had to rush back to England. Eddie decided they weren’t really knight, just actors in the festival. Melody said she’d hang onto the map just to be sure.
What kind of ending was that? There was no conclusive evidence. No indications that he was from the past. He didn’t speak in old English, he didn’t make references to things from the medical period. He didn’t do anything at all that was suspicious. This was a letdown.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2022
There has to be a willing suspension of disbelief for one to enjoy this series.
But this one... stretches it.
So a large building that, according to the illustrations, look exactly like a castle just shows up in Bailey City. (How BIG is Bailey City that stuff like this just happens? Is it like Sunnydale in Buffy the Vampire Slayer where people just kind of get used to kids dying, and people rationalize the constant death? Or is it like Pawnee in Parks and Recreation which is apparently small but also big enough to have its own celebrity culture?)
The knight teaching piano lessons is actually kind of fun. The gimmick might get old for a music teacher's older students, but I think it would have been fun to have a clarinet/saxophone teacher in my youth who was skilled as an instructor and really committed to a silly gimmick.
But then there are six knights planning to take Bailey City. The kids spy on the knights. The piano-teaching knight is alerted to their presence when an electronic toy has a mind of its own and makes itself visible (that's a tired reveal trope if I'm ever heard one). Then Eddie (!?) saves the day by distracting the horses with sugar.
The idea that the six knights are preparing for a Renaissance festival makes sense. But then at the festival itself, only five knights are jousting?
Where's the sixth knight?!
WHERE IS THE SIXTH KNIGHT?!
Ugh.
Okay, though. Still a fun series.
But this one... stretches it.
So a large building that, according to the illustrations, look exactly like a castle just shows up in Bailey City. (How BIG is Bailey City that stuff like this just happens? Is it like Sunnydale in Buffy the Vampire Slayer where people just kind of get used to kids dying, and people rationalize the constant death? Or is it like Pawnee in Parks and Recreation which is apparently small but also big enough to have its own celebrity culture?)
The knight teaching piano lessons is actually kind of fun. The gimmick might get old for a music teacher's older students, but I think it would have been fun to have a clarinet/saxophone teacher in my youth who was skilled as an instructor and really committed to a silly gimmick.
But then there are six knights planning to take Bailey City. The kids spy on the knights. The piano-teaching knight is alerted to their presence when an electronic toy has a mind of its own and makes itself visible (that's a tired reveal trope if I'm ever heard one). Then Eddie (!?) saves the day by distracting the horses with sugar.
The idea that the six knights are preparing for a Renaissance festival makes sense. But then at the festival itself, only five knights are jousting?
Where's the sixth knight?!
WHERE IS THE SIXTH KNIGHT?!
Ugh.
Okay, though. Still a fun series.
August 3, 2018
The kids jumped to conclusions again, but this story was still really cool. I just find it a little annoying that they think everyone is out to destroy the town, or harm them in some way. I mean, they could be right in some cases, but sometimes these people they mistaken for monsters, or mythical creatures are just harmless.
Anyway.
I wish a Medieval festival would come to my city. I always wanted to go to one of those types of things.
I also wish Mr. Lott stuck around some more. He seemed to be really cool. I would totally take piano lessons from a knight.
Anyway.
I wish a Medieval festival would come to my city. I always wanted to go to one of those types of things.
I also wish Mr. Lott stuck around some more. He seemed to be really cool. I would totally take piano lessons from a knight.
April 9, 2023
I'm a big fan of Bailey School Kids (originally has a young reader, and now re-reading them to my own kiddos), but this one just felt a little forced. It felt like someone who enjoyed Aurthurian legends was trying to superimpose them on the Bailey School Kids stories. It missed the nuance and interest and sense of spookiness/goofiness. It just....was. That said, I'd still read it, because I'd read all of this series (and it's so short and readable).
April 23, 2019
All the Bailey School Kids have begun to take piano lessons from a mysterious mansion owner, only to start suspecting that he may in fact be a knight in hiding! Dadey will please young readers with this mystery in yet another charming entry!
July 15, 2017
The great birthday party and a great gift. but He can't do somethings because of his looks.
May 2, 2019
Great.
October 4, 2023
Not as creepy as it could have been they could have leaned more into the old creepy castle thing more but otherwise a decent entry in the series.
November 6, 2024
Definitely not as good as the Magic Tree House
January 7, 2025
Cute, quick little read
August 17, 2025
3.25 stars!
Another short and to the point one! Lots of fun dialogue in this one.
Another short and to the point one! Lots of fun dialogue in this one.
November 6, 2025
This takes me back to my childhood. Used to love these books. Had to read one I found for the memories and hell of it.
September 16, 2014
The collection of "The adventures of the Bailey School Kids" stories are among my all-time favorite children's books. Witty, mischievous and fun, these short and silly books continue to bring giggles to the young and old. Just as I have enjoyed them as a kid, my own children also love them today. I even catch myself re-reading them (alone) from time to time. What can I say? I guess I'll always be a BSK kid at heart.
February 10, 2015
The Bailey School Kids, are 4 kids with a knack for finding Bailey City's strangest residents and foiling their plots.
In Knight's Don't Teach Piano Mr. Lance E. Lott has come to bailey city to teach piano lessons, but the kids are fairly sure he is not who he seems to be.
These are great children's books...there is a hint of mystery, but they never get too scary. Each book has between 10 and 12 chapters which is perfect for getting your little one started reading.
In Knight's Don't Teach Piano Mr. Lance E. Lott has come to bailey city to teach piano lessons, but the kids are fairly sure he is not who he seems to be.
These are great children's books...there is a hint of mystery, but they never get too scary. Each book has between 10 and 12 chapters which is perfect for getting your little one started reading.
April 24, 2015
Eddie’s grandma arranges for him to receive piano lessons from a certain Lance E. Lott, who has moved into Bailey City from England. The man owns many suits of armor, a round table, and a white horse and exhibits the behavior and mannerisms of a different era. He also seems to be mad, constantly talking of his desire to take over Bailey City.
Funny and intriguing.
Funny and intriguing.
Read
November 12, 2012A silly series that creates more questions than it answers. It's great for formulating theories as well as predictions. The class dynamics should be very familiar to those of the Magic School Bus generation.
October 22, 2011
I love how howey always looks ahead.Lancealott is a funny name.HA HA HA!This book everyone will enjoy.Ecspicaly Howey,Melody,liza and Eddie!I hope they auther keeps writeing more more more.I'll read everyone!
August 22, 2009
great when ur little
February 14, 2012
There as a knight that likd to each piao.Then he wt hoe and stopped teachig piano.
September 19, 2015
Sorry, I just found this rather trite. Maybe you gotta be a kid to get it.
March 7, 2015
Read these all in while I was in middle school and loved them, giving them a 3.5-4.0 for my past 12 year old self.
February 14, 2015
they took piano lessons.it was for Howie's birthday. they thought that their piano teacher was a knight. there piano teacher's name was Lance E Lott. Lance E Lott was Eddie's surprise.
March 7, 2015
The Bailey School kids suspect that their new piano teacher is really Lancelot a knight from the past, and that he's planning to take over Bailey City.
January 18, 2011
These books are delightfully funny! I loved them in elementary school!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews