Knight Owl (Caldecott Honor Book)

by Christopher Denise

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

In his author-illustrator debut, Christopher Denise's clever wordplay and detailed illustrations for Knight Owl give it the feel of an instant classic. Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight — but he'll have to be creative when facing the fearsome dragon. Owl's quest to become a formidable knight is perfect for fans of Dragonboy and Attack of the Underwear Dragon.

A Caldecott Honor Winner and New York Times Bestseller! 

A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart. 

Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial—a frightening intruder. It’s a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas.
 
Full of wordplay and optimism, this surprising display of bravery proves that cleverness (and friendship) can rule over brawn.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316310628
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	03/15/2022
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	748
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Christopher Denise spent much of his childhood in Shannon, Ireland, exploring castles and dreaming of great adventures. He is the illustrator of many critically acclaimed books for young readers, including Anika Aldamuy Denise’s Bunny in the Middle, Alison McGhee’s Firefly Hollow, Rosemary Wells’s Following Grandfather, and Anne Marie Pace’s Groundhug Day, as well as several in Brian Jacques’s award-winning Redwall series. His books have appeared on the Indie Next List and the New York Times bestseller list and in the Society of Illustrators’ Annual Exhibition. Knight Owl marks his author-illustrator debut. Christopher’s current adventures include exploring coastal Rhode Island, where he lives with his family.

Editorial Reviews

01/10/2022

With a baking tray belted to his small, feathery body, a saucepan for a helmet, and a wooden spoon brandished in wing, young Owl’s desire to become a knight is clear from the first spread. His is a medieval owl family; his mother, wearing a white wimple, eyes his armor while holding a tray of dead mice. Eager Owl’s chance comes when knights start to go missing in the kingdom and applications are solicited. Though his size makes training challenging (adorable vignettes show Owl struggling with a sword, then flattened under “even the smallest shield”), the bird’s biological clock is perfectly suited to night watch responsibilities, and he soon encounters the dragon that seems responsible for the shrinking knight population. “You look like a midnight snack,” the dragon tells Owl, menacingly, but Owl foils the dragon’s violence with a surprising charm offensive that proves more effective than skilled swordplay. Through delicately conveyed firelight, deep shadows, and even an imagined tapestry, Denise (Sleepytime Me) provides this cracking tale with illustrations that feel like fully fleshed animated classics as Owl’s actions subvert a traditional conflict story line. Ages 4–8. Agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Knight Owl:
A Caldecott Honor Winner 
A New York Times Bestseller
An Indie Bestseller 
An Indie Next List Pick
An ALSC Notable Book for Children
A Barnes & Noble’s Best Children’s Book of the Year 
An Amazon Best Children’s Book of the Year 
An NPR Best Book of the Year
A PW Gift Guide Selection
A Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book
A Bookpage Best Picture Book of the Year
A Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
A Cybils Award Winner
An Oklahoma Redbud Read-Aloud Award Winner​
A Junior Library Guild Selection 

* "Denise gives youngsters an old-fashioned story with an amusing twist and a cute-as-a-button protagonist that charms on every level. This will satisfy a wide range of readers, from Dragons Love Tacos fans to wannabe knights."—Booklist, starred review

"It’s dangerous to label any picture book a 'contemporary classic,' but Knight Owl tempts you to try.... Sweet and epic by turns."

—NPR

"Adorably earnest and gallant…. A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn."—Kirkus Reviews

"Through delicately conveyed firelight, deep shadows, and even an imagined tapestry, Denise (Groundhug Day) provides this cracking tale with illustrations that feel like fully fleshed animated classics as Owl’s actions subvert a traditional conflict story line."—Publishers Weekly

Praise for Bunny in the Middle: 

A Kids' Indie Next List Pick
A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year

"This sweet picture book acknowledges the special place each sibling occupies in a family…. Kids will savor adorable details, such as children's artwork on a bedroom wall and winsome animal students lined up for school in a tree.  Charming and comforting."—Kirkus Reviews

"[An] ode to the middle kid. The illustrations are lush…with inviting joy, and the subtle shading and gentle linework of the pencil and digital art envelop the scenes with a cozy feel. A nice gift for a youngster expecting a new addition to the family."

—The Bulletin

"The author deftly describes precise situations that require compromise…Denise employs Photoshop, Procreate and pencil for scenes brimming with affection. This creative team parents three girls and here shares insights honoring the child who’s sometimes overlooked."

—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

04/29/2022

PreS-Gr 3—This adorable book begins with brave and courageous Owl longing to become a knight; however, his small stature presents many problems, and there are those who doubt if Owl is up to the challenge of his future career as a knight. Owl's dream is too big to let the negativity of others stop him, so he tries out for the knighthood and gives it his best efforts. Denise crafts a humorous and witty book, allowing readers to share in the small owl's adventures and reflect on some of their own life challenges. The glorious images, reminiscent of the work of Arnold Lobel, add flare and intrigue, and when the Knight Owl defends the castle from the enemy, the details in the illustrations provide depth and add to the mythical fantasy for an outstanding conclusion. This is a great read-aloud that also teaches a homonym or two. VERDICT A clever tale for old and young; the lesson to hang on to one's dreams always bears repeating.—Tanya Haynes

School Library Journal

2021-12-16
A young owl achieves his grand ambition.

Owl, an adorably earnest and gallant little owlet, dreams of being a knight. He imagines himself defeating dragons and winning favor far and wide through his brave exploits. When a record number of knights go missing, Owl applies to Knight School and is surprisingly accepted. He is much smaller than the other knights-in-training, struggles to wield weapons, and has “a habit of nodding off during the day.” Nevertheless, he graduates and is assigned to the Knight Night Watch. While patrolling the castle walls one night, a hungry dragon shows up and Owl must use his wits to avoid meeting a terrible end. The result is both humorous and heartwarming, offering an affirmation of courage and clear thinking no matter one’s size…and demonstrating the power of a midnight snack. The story never directly addresses the question of the missing knights, but it is hinted that they became the dragon’s fodder, leaving readers to question Owl’s decision to befriend the beast. Humor is supplied by the characters’ facial expressions and accented by the fact that Owl is the only animal in his order of big, burly human knights. Denise’s accomplished digital illustrations—many of which are full bleeds—often use a warm sepia palette that evokes a feeling of antiquity, and some spreads feature a pleasing play of chiaroscuro that creates suspense and drama.

A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews