Summary
Beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola turns a classic rivalry on its head when a bumbling knight duels a clumsy dragon with an ending you’ll never forget—now in board!
A bumbling knight meets a clumsy dragon in a duel with an ending you’ll never forget!
What happens when a sheepish knight and a not-so-fierce dragon fight for the very first time? Well, it’s no ordinary battle since the knight has to go to the castle library to learn about dragon-fighting and the dragon must …
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9798217112173 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Tomie dePaola |
| Publisher: | Penguin Putnam Inc |
| Imprint: | G.P.Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers' |
| Format: | Board Book |
| Number of Pages: | 28 |
| Release Date: | 14 April 2026 |
| Weight: | 244g |
| Dimensions: | 146mm x 178mm x 16mm |
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What They're Saying
Critics Review
A Booklist Editor’s Choice“While modern picturebook conventions have led to countless stories of bloodless dragons and bumbling knights, none of the rest has a library lady and such winning pictures.”-School Library Journal“DePaola has come up with yet another comical, full-color winner.” -American Bookseller “There’s a swirl of good-humored life to the book.” -The New York Times Book Review “In his engaging style, dePaola illustrates a modem fairy tale with brightly hued paintings of Old England.” - Publishers Weekly
About The Author
Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934 to a family of Irish and Italian background. By the time he could hold a pencil, he knew what his life’s work would be. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts.
This drive propelled him through years of teaching, designing greeting cards and stage sets, and painting church murals until 1965, when he illustrated his first children’s book. Eventually, he focused full-time on both writing and illustrating children’s books.
DePaola cited Fra Angelico and Giotto, Georges Rouault, and Ben Shahn as major influences, but he soon developed his own unique style. His distinctive use of color, line, detail, and design earned him numerous prestigious awards, including:
- Caldecott Honor Award
- Smithsonian Medal
- Kerlan Award (University of Minnesota)
- Regina Medal (Catholic Library Association)
- University of Southern Mississippi Medallion
He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration.
Tomie dePaola authored and illustrated nearly 200 children’s books published in fifteen different countries. He remained one of the most popular creators of books for children, receiving more than 100,000 fan letters annually.
He lived in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio was located in a large, renovated 200-year-old barn.
Key Facts:
- Published for over 30 years.
- Over 5 million copies of his books sold worldwide.
- Books published in over 15 different countries.
- Received nearly 100,000 fan letters each year.
Significant Recognitions:
- Caldecott Honor Award (American Library Association)
- Newbery Honor Award (American Library Association)
- Smithson Medal (Smithsonian Institution)
- USA nominee in illustration for Hans Christian Andersen Medal
- Regina Medal (Catholic Library Association)
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