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The Knight and the Dragon
  • Published: 7 July 2026
  • ISBN: 9798217112173
  • Imprint: Putnam
  • Format: Board Book
  • Pages: 28
  • RRP: $16.99

The Knight and the Dragon

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Beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola turns a classic rivalry on its head when a bumbling knight duels a clumsy dragon with an ending you'll never forget—now in board!

A bumbling knight meets a clumsy dragon in a duel with an ending you'll never forget!

What happens when a sheepish knight and a not-so-fierce dragon fight for the very first time? Well, it's no ordinary battle since the knight has to go to the castle library to learn about dragon-fighting and the dragon must dig through his ancestor's things to find out how to fight a knight!

When they decide they're finally ready, their energetic faceoff is sure to elicit giggles, uh-ohs, and very satisfied cries of "Perfect!" at the heartening conclusion.

"Spontaneity of line and feeling are backed by zesty colors and a jovial, tongue-in-cheek tone to which children can relate—a top springtime choice." —Booklist

"There's a swirl of good-humored life to the book." —The New York Times Book Review
  • Published: 7 July 2026
  • ISBN: 9798217112173
  • Imprint: Putnam
  • Format: Board Book
  • Pages: 28
  • RRP: $16.99
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About the author

Tomie dePaola

Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934, to a family of Irish and Italian background. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California. 

His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his "singular attainment in children's literature," the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his "continued distinguished contribution," and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration, and received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for lifetime contribution to children's literature in 2011.

DePaola published over 250 children's books in 15 different countries. Among his most well-known titles are the Strega Nona series, 26 Fairmount Avenue, and The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush.

Tomie dePaola lived in New Hampshire, and worked in a 200-year-old renovated barn. He died on March 30, 2020.
portrait photo of Tomie dePaola

Also by Tomie dePaola

26 Fairmount Avenue: Books 1-4
26 Fairmount Avenue: Books 5-8
Steppin' Out
The Magical World of Strega Nona: a Treasury
My First Thanksgiving
My First Halloween
My First Easter
See all

Praise for The Knight and the Dragon


Praise for The Knight and the Dragon:
"In this whimsical spoof on ferocious dragons and their proverbial antagonists, dePaola ingeniously provides the perfect arena for the meeting of these two willing but clumsy creatures .... Spontaneity of line and feeling are backed by zesty colors and a jovial, tongue-in-cheek tone to which children can relate. Used in a classroom, this was picked as a top springtime choice." —Booklist

"DePaola has come up with yet another comical, full-color winner." —American Bookseller

"In his engaging style, dePaola illustrates a modem fairy tale with brightly hued paintings of Old England." —Publishers Weekly

"There's a swirl of good-humored life to the book." —The New York Times Book Review

"While modem picture book conventions have led to countless stories of bloodless dragons and bumbling knights, none of the rest has a library lady and such winning pictures." —School Library Journal

A Booklist Editors' Choice
An American Bookseller Best Bet
A Child Study Children's Book Committee (Bank Street College) Children's Book of the Year
A Learning Magazine "The Year's Ten Best" Selection
Nominated for the Colorado Children's Book Award
Nominated for the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award


Praise for The Knight and the Dragon:
"In this whimsical spoof on ferocious dragons and their proverbial antagonists, dePaola ingeniously provides the perfect arena for the meeting of these two willing but clumsy creatures .... Spontaneity of line and feeling are backed by zesty colors and a jovial, tongue-in-cheek tone to which children can relate. Used in a classroom, this was picked as a top springtime choice." —Booklist

"DePaola has come up with yet another comical, full-color winner." —American Bookseller

"In his engaging style, dePaola illustrates a modem fairy tale with brightly hued paintings of Old England." —Publishers Weekly

"There's a swirl of good-humored life to the book." —The New York Times Book Review

"While modem picture book conventions have led to countless stories of bloodless dragons and bumbling knights, none of the rest has a library lady and such winning pictures." —School Library Journal

A Booklist Editors' Choice
An American Bookseller Best Bet
A Child Study Children's Book Committee (Bank Street College) Children's Book of the Year
A Learning Magazine "The Year's Ten Best" Selection
Nominated for the Colorado Children's Book Award
Nominated for the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award