Princess Daisy and the Nincompoop Knights
Steve Lenton
Nosy Crow pbk
Troublesome dragons, knights desirous of wives and princesses in towers abound in fairy tales but sometimes we hear of one claiming to be different; such a one is this, pink cover notwithstanding. Herein the townsfolk, awoken by terrible roaring sounds, dash off to call on the King’s assistance. The King in turn calls for a brave knight to fight the beast, but Daisy his daughter, closeted in her tower, is less sure this dragon requires such drastic treatment; rather she calls for a more thoughtful approach.
Three knights come forward meanwhile, all proving to be useless in the face of adversity.

But then who could this possibly be, heading into the cave astride not a mighty steed but a cow? And, what is the cow carrying in that basket? It looks very like a book and a baby’s bottle.

Silence ensures and then after ages a sound issues forth from the cave – not a roar however but a snore. Then out comes the knight carrying a small slumbering creature … and all is finally revealed.

Told in jaunty rhyme, this neo fairy tale was enthusiastically received by my audience of fives to sevens, one of whom, delighted by the “clever princess” as she called the heroine, then eagerly seized the book and began reading it herself.
The portrayal of the cast of characters – human and animal – is a real hoot. Every turn of the page will result in smiles or giggles from child listeners and adult readers alike. Great title too.

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