Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 03/15/2022 *Starred Review* Although young Owl is quite small, he has great dreams of becoming a knight. So, when he sees a parchment advertising Knight School, he knows he has to apply. To the surprise of all, he is accepted, and his journey begins. Painting-like digital illustrations conjure the medieval setting and expertly utilize scale, emphasizing Owl’s diminutive size to adorable effect. Though an excellent student, Owl struggles with certain parts of training—handling a shield and a sword, staying awake during the day. Nevertheless, he graduates with honor and is placed on the castle’s Knight Night Watch, a job at which he excels. Late one night, a hulking, hungry dragon descends upon the ramparts with plans of having Owl for a midnight snack. Denise dials up the suspense in his illustrations, as the enormous dragon leans out of the shadows and over a glowing fire toward Owl. It takes some quick thinking, but Owl proves himself both clever and brave in the solution he devises, which saves not only his life but the other members of the Knight Night Watch, as well. In his first solo picture book, Denise gives youngsters an old-fashioned story with an amusing twist and a cute-as-a-button protagonist that charms on every level. This will satisfy a wide range of readers, from Dragons Love Tacos fans to wannabe knights. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.