The Knight and the Dragon

Tomie de Paola must be one of the most prolific and consistent artists for young children: his illustrative style is instantly recognisable and humour, compassion and a moral sense are the hallmarks of most of his work. In this tale about 'a knight who had never fought a dragon and a dragon who had never fought a knight' humour is the mainstay as we follow both parties training and preparation for a fight told almost entirely in pictures. The battle proves a disaster for both but their skills in metalwork and fire-breathing are finally put to use for their mutual benefit.