Good Knight

As a “kingdom’s hustle turns to hush,” the titular play on homophones provides an ideal jumping-off point for this story about a rambunctious, bedtime-resisting young knight who begs for “ONE MORE JOUST?” Ackerman’s rhymes mix medieval-style verse with comments from the recalcitrant youth as they battle their caregiver over bedtime prep: “Hounds trade the hunt for the hearth and home,/ while falcons nest with kin./ Though boars wake up to snout about,/ brave knights are turning in.// ‘NOT THIS KNIGHT!’ ” Pe’s slick digital cartoons play up the comedy of the conceit with physical humor that conveys the child’s over-the-top energy and the caregiver’s frustration. As an increasing percentage of the kingdom begins to drift off, the adult eventually manages to get their charge to “tuck your chain mail in the chest,” grab a “teddy beast,” and settle down for a non-punning “good night.” Protagonists are portrayed with pale skin and red hair; background characters are shown with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. (May)