About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels a heavy weight of expectation to perform or compete in ways that do not feel natural to them. It is an ideal choice for the child who is struggling with 'fitting the mold' of what a leader, an athlete, or a 'tough' kid is supposed to look like. Through a whimsical lens, Tomie dePaola addresses the anxiety of forced competition and the relief of discovering that your true skills might lie in a completely different direction. The story follows an inexperienced knight and a clumsy dragon who both feel they must fight because that is what knights and dragons do. As they hilariously fail at their traditional roles, they realize that they are much better at being partners than enemies. For parents, this is a gentle tool to normalize the feeling of being 'bad' at something and to celebrate the pivot toward one's unique strengths. It is a visually rich, nearly wordless masterpiece that invites children aged 4 to 8 to explore the joy of creative problem solving.
