Knight in Training: Dragons Can't Swim: Book 1

By Author / Illustrator

Vivian French, David Melling

Genre

Young fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

Hachette Children's Group

ISBN

9781444922271

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

02-04-2015

Synopsis

A funny, exciting series for younger readers, by the bestselling Vivian French and David Melling.

Sam J. Butterbiggins' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he's been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his aunt and uncle while his parents are away. Not only does he have to put up with his annoying cousin Prune, there are also the weird creatures his aunt looks after in her Luxury Accommodation for Dragons, Griffins and other Regal Beasts to contend with!

But when Godfrey the dragon gets stuck down a well, Sam and Prune have to work together to come to the rescue. Inside the well they make an incredible discovery - a scroll giving instructions on the six quests to be completed in order to become the perfect knight! Sam's ambition seems close at hand - if only Prune would stop getting in the way...

Reviews

Sam J. Butterbiggins has been sent to live with his Aunt Eglantine, Uncle Archibald and Cousin Prunella in Mothsdale Castle while his parents are away on important business. Sam has a secret ambition - he wants to be a knight and do all kinds of daring deeds but, unfortunately, he does not know how to go about it. Luckily for him, Mothsdale Castle doubles as 'Luxury Holiday Accommodation for Dragons, Griffins and Other Regal Beast' and so he meets Godfrey, a dragon in distress and gets to perform his first daring deed. This is the first in a series of books about Sam and his quest to become a knight and we are introduced to the residents of Mothscale Castle and to Godfrey, who, one fine morning, in a bid to get away from Prunella, finds himself stuck down a well. Prunella is desperate to rescue Godfrey before her mother notices there is a problem and enlists the help of the reluctant Sam. In the course of retrieving Godfrey from the well, Sam is amazed and delighted to find a parchment with instructions on how to become a knight and sets about his training forthwith. This is an entertaining read, full of illustrations and a sneak peek of the second book in the series to whet the appetite of those who have read and enjoyed this one. Confident young readers should have no trouble with the vocabulary and it is also ideal for reading aloud to children, giving plenty of opportunities to exercise skills in funny voices for the various characters. 103 pages / Ages 7-11 / Reviewed by June Hughes, school librarian