Prince & Knight

prince of marriageable age looks far and wide for a partner who sings the same tune.

“Handsome and sincere,” the prince accompanies his parents to meet ladies from nearby kingdoms. While the royals are away, a fire-breathing dragon ravages their home kingdom. The prince races home to protect his realm only to find a knight in shining armor battling alongside him. The two work together to defeat the dragon, but in the process, the prince loses his grip and nearly falls to his doom. The visored knight sweeps in to catch the prince, takes off his helmet to reveal his identity, and the two instantly realize their connection. Villagers and royals alike cheer for the two men’s relationship and, soon, wedding. Lewis’ lush colors and show more dramatic sequencing clearly show her background in animation and lend a timeless, Disney-like quality to the story. The art notably does not shy away from depicting the intimacy between the men, keeping it on par with images of heterosexual relationships that already dominate children’s media. Though the royal family is white, the happy villagers and the prince’s new betrothed add some necessary racial diversity to the mix.

Victorious—it may even usurp King & King (2001) as the premier queer-friendly fairy tale for this age set. (Picture book. 4-8)

-Kirkus Review show less

prince of marriageable age looks far and wide for a partner who sings the same tune.

“Handsome and sincere,” the prince accompanies his parents to meet ladies from nearby kingdoms. While the royals are away, a fire-breathing dragon ravages their home kingdom. The prince races home to protect his realm only to find a knight in shining armor battling alongside him. The two work together to defeat the dragon, but in the process, the prince loses his grip and nearly falls to his doom. The visored knight sweeps in to catch the prince, takes off his helmet to reveal his identity, and the two instantly realize their connection. Villagers and royals alike cheer for the two men’s relationship and, soon, wedding. Lewis’ lush colors and show more dramatic sequencing clearly show her background in animation and lend a timeless, Disney-like quality to the story. The art notably does not shy away from depicting the intimacy between the men, keeping it on par with images of heterosexual relationships that already dominate children’s media. Though the royal family is white, the happy villagers and the prince’s new betrothed add some necessary racial diversity to the mix.

Victorious—it may even usurp King & King (2001) as the premier queer-friendly fairy tale for this age set. (Picture book. 4-8)

-Kirkus Review show less

Loved this take on the classic royalty-must-get-married imperative, told in rhyming text. The illustrator has a background in animation, which is apparent in the style. (I have to say, I love the knight's stubble.) Though, on many re-readings, we noticed some errors and inconsistencies (where did the giant coil of rope come from?). However, this should not detract from the wonderful, inclusive tale of a prince finding his perfect partner - and his parents and all the villagers rejoicing along with them.

(See also Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan, for tweens/teens, for a similarly refreshing not-a-big-deal attitude toward same sex romance.)

In rhyming text, first-time author Daniel Haack spins the tale of a prince who looks in vain for love, until he finally finds it in the gallant knight who helps him defeat the dragon threatening his kingdom. Although his parents, determined to have him happily settled, attempt to find him a bride at first, it soon becomes clear that he isn't interested. He's looking for something different in a partner, the narrator tells us, and eventually he finds it, to the joy of all...

A sweet same-sex fairy-tale, Prince & Knight pairs a fairly engaging narrative from Haack with cute illustrations from artist Stevie Lewis, who has previously worked as an animator. There were times I felt that the rhyme scheme here was a little forced, throwing off show more the rhythm when reading aloud, but overall this makes for a pleasant read. It will be an especially welcome one, I would imagine, for those looking for fairy-tales featuring same-sex couples. Recommended to young fairy-tale lovers in general, and to anyone looking for picture-books with an LGBT theme. show less

Loved this book. It rhymes, the story is oh so sweet, and the illustrations are bright and inviting. What more could one love? Well apparently, for some it wasn’t love at first read but hate. You may have guessed, this book has been BANNED. And you probably guessed right that it was banned because the prince fell in love with the knight, and they are both men. How scandalous!!. This book shouldn’t be banned. It should be celebrated. It celebrates love, and we should too. Ignore the Haters, read this book!

Being straight forward, this book is very much styled as a traditional fairy tale. A noble prince needs a bride, but can't find one, and while he's out doing noble and princely things, he happens across a knight and the two fall in love. It just happens that the knight is (predictably when you think about it) also male.

First I love this book because of the artwork that accompanies the rhyming text. The illustrations stretch the length of both pages, and are bright and colourful, and the story is genuinely sweet.

On the LGBTQ end, for those that want to know, the notion of the Prince being gay is of little note to the other characters in the book, save the narrative commenting that the Prince's family will be happy as long as he is happy show more with his companion. Both the prince and the knight are characters that show courage and are capable so it doesn't feel as though one is simply being a "princess" substitute.

The story is cute and the drawings are beautiful. This is a book I often find myself thinking about when I consider books to add to a library collection. show less

This picture books follows a prince as his parents try to find a woman for him to marry. But nobody suits. Then one day there's a dragon attack, and the prince goes to fight the dragon. In the process, he meets a knight, and oh! *he* would suit. They dispatch the dragon together, save each other, get married, and everyone is thrilled the prince found the person who will help him in his reign and in his life. *sigh* Perfect. And the illustrations are bright and fun. Wholly recommended.