cover image Knights vs. Dinosaurs

Knights vs. Dinosaurs

Matt Phelan. Greenwillow, $16.99 (160p) ISBN 978-0-06-268623-7

In a highly illustrated chapter book, four braggart knights and one underappreciated squire square off against dinosaurs, all while learning about teamwork and honesty. Confronted with a dearth of foes in peacetime, Camelot’s lesser knights feel inclined to exaggerate the “battles with beasties, run-ins with rogue trolls, or fisticuffs with fierce giants” that they purport to engage in regularly. Sent back in time by Merlin for such embellishments, Sir Erec, Sir Hector, the mysterious Black Knight, and Sir Bors (and squire Mel) know as little about “terrible lizards” as they know about true feats of strength. Nevertheless, the team finds itself doing spectacular battle with numerous recognizable prehistoric beasts, complete with one-on-one bouts, team attacks, and rescue missions (tricera-joust, anyone?). Motion-filled art by Phelan (Snow White) depicts anachronisms side by side in standalone and sequential panels. And as the time-traveling knights try to fight their way back to their true place in time, plot twists reveal the heroes’ true identifiers, adding depth to this hilarious slapstick romp. Ages 8–12. [em](Oct.) [/em]