Like dinosaurs, knights, with their castles, horses, armor, and weaponry, have always been a source of fascination for children, but they haven't been explored much in books at the preschool and primary level. Gibbons gives kids the information they crave--beginning with the when and the why knights wore armor. She covers tournaments, chivalry, and what happened when a bad knight was caught. Legendary knights such as Sir Gawain and the knights of the Round Table are briefly described, as is St. George and the dragon, and Gibbons also discusses present-day knights. The watercolor-and-ink pictures are some of Gibbons' liveliest and most attractive: there's plenty of fighting, decorative clothing and heraldry, and clear labels pointing out the parts of a castle and the names of the armor pieces. Children won't want to surrender this book, so buy multiple copies. (Reviewed November 1, 1995)

Stiffly constructed text and colorful labeled illustrations in Gibbons's characteristic flat style offer considerable information about knighthood and the code of chivalry. The book provides an adequate introduction to the world of King Arthur and other knights of history and legend. Unfortunately, readers most likely to comprehend the text may overlook it because the picture-book format.

K-Gr 3--A look at knighthood presented in a captivating yet understandable form for young readers. Gibbons explains the era, feudal system, castle configuration, weapons, armor, chivalry, tournaments, as well as the process for becoming a knight. The text flows smoothly and naturally for such a grand scope, making this an ideal overview for beginning researchers. Blocked, concise narratives and appropriate labeling are incorporated unobtrusively into the large, horizontal, often double-page watercolor-and-pen illustrations, allowing for group sharing. Pictorial appendixes featuring King Arthur and his knights and dragon legends invite more extensive research. A shining example of the type of nonfiction that Gibbons does so well.--Claudia Cooper, Ft. Stockton Independent School District, TX