Gift Ideas for Knight Books for Boys and Girls
Present Suggestions for Kids who Like to Read About Medieval Times
For gift-givers looking for books for children who love to play with knights and dragons, here are some recommendations for quality knight, dragon, and castle-themed books that meet the needs of a variety of children of different ages.
Age-Appropriate Knight Books for Babies, Toddlers, and Young Children
That's Not My Dragon by Fiona Watt [Usborne Books, 2006] Each page of this sturdy board book shows a picture of a different dragon with one body part (scales, ears, spots, etc.) that is made with a touchable fabric with a distinct texture. Children can use this book to learn descriptive words and hone fine-motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and awareness of different kinds of surfaces.
A Great Day at the Castle Play Book with Puzzle by Haba is a board book that includes six simple puzzles and a dice game that 2–4 children can play together.
Recommended Fun Knight Picture Books and Readers for Ages 4–8
The Knight and the Dragon by Tomie dePaola [Putnam Juvenile, 1998] This charming and funny classic teaches a gentle lesson about finding alternatives to fighting. A knight and a dragon train to fight each other because they think that is what they are supposed to do. Their solution to how to pass the time when they prove inept at fighting each other can inspire children to act out new kinds of creative role-playing scenarios involving dragons and knights.
The Bravest Knight by Mercer Mayer [Dial, 2007] is an updated version of Mayer's 1968 book Terrible Troll, in which a young boy dreams of serving a valiant knight a thousand years ago but, when the knight he is dreaming that he is serving seems to die in combat, decides life in the present is better after all.
Shelley Moore Thomas' series of Easy-to-Read knight and dragon books uses silly illustrations and fun text to tell the adventures of a knight in a form suitable for children just beginning to read on their own. Titles include:
- Good Night, Good Knight [Puffin, 2000], in which the knight must help three dragons go to sleep.
- Get Well, Good Knight [Puffin, 2004], in which the knight helps the dragons when they are ill.
- Happy Birthday, Good Knight [Puffin, 2006], in which the dragons struggle to prepare a special birthday surprise.
- two picture books: Take Care, Good Knight [Dutton Books, 2006], in which the same dragon characters from the readers must take care of a wizard's cats, and A Cold Winter's Good Knight [Dutton Juvenile, 2008], in which the dragons inadvertently cause mayhem at a winter party.
Recommended Nonfiction Knight Books for Ages 4–8
Knights in Shining Armor by Gail Gibbons [Little, Brown Young Readers, 1998] Clear illustrations and accessible text explain historical Middle Ages topics such as castles, armor, legends about knights, and how to become a knight.
The Making of a Knight: How Sir James Earned His Armor by Patrick O'Brien [Charlesbridge Publishing, 1998] also charts the process by which a child progresses from a page to a squire to a knight. Includes many details about life in the Middle Ages.
A Genuine and Moste Authentic Guide: Knight: A Noble Guide for Young Squires by Geoffrey Sir De Lance and Dugald A. Steer [Candlewick, 2006] uses fun interactive text features like pop-ups and foldouts to instruct young children on how to follow the code of chivalry and become a great knight.
Castle: Medieval Days and Knights (A Sabuda & Reinhart Pop-up Book) by Kyle Olmon [Orchard Books, 2006] A sophisticated and beautifully detailed pop-up book of scenes (some interactive) including different parts of a castle, a joust, and a suit of armor.
Recommended Nonfiction Knight Books for Ages 9–12
The Best Book of Knights and Castles by Deborah Murrell [Kingfisher, 2005] uses detailed, colorful illustrations and clear facts to provide information about life as a knight and medieval castles from all over the world.
DK Eyewitness Books such as Knight [DK CHILDREN, 2007] and Castle [DK CHILDREN, 2008] by Christopher Gravett and Medieval Life [DK CHILDREN, 2004] by Andrew Langley use clear photographs and organized text to provide information about Middle Ages topics.
Days of Knights and Damsels: An Activity Guide by Laurie Carlson [A Kid's Guide series, Chicago Review Press, 1998] uses fun craft activities to introduce different aspects of life in Medieval times.
Castle by David Macaulay [Houghton Mifflin, 1982] In this classic Caldecott Honor Book, detailed pen-and-ink drawings tell the story of the step-by-step construction of a 13th-century castle and its eventual obsolecence.
For other knight-themed gifts, check out Great Knight Gift Ideas for Boys and Girls (suggestions for dress-up items and play areas) and More Great Knight Gift Ideas for Boys and Girls (suggestions for knight-themed room decor, toys, and board games). Children interested in reading about knights, castles, and dragons may also be interested in reading books about princesses.
Suit of Knight's Armor
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