Knight Owl and Early Bird by Christopher Denise

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Title: Knight Owl and Early Bird
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Publication Date: October 2024
ISBN: 9780316564526

Synopsis:
Early Bird wants to be brave and protect the castle, just like Knight Owl. But she falls asleep on the job and then keeps her hero up during the day with her enthusiastic chattiness, well-meaning questions, and cheerful owl impersonations. But there are strange happenings in the forest, and soon Knight Owl and Early Bird find themselves in the throes of danger. Will these two learn to work together to keep themselves and the kingdom safe? 

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This adorable new picture book is a heartwarming story that demonstrates to young readers that bravery and devotion comes in all shapes and sizes, and that difference is what makes us stronger. It follows the life of the Knight Owl and his dedication to keeping the castle safe with his nightly watch. When Early Bird arrives, although she doesn’t do things his way (which causes quite a ruckus), they learn that they are both equally as passionate for keeping the castle, and one another safe.

The artwork is absolutely stunning throughout, with adorable depictions of both Knight Owl and Early birth. The note at the back indicates that the illustrations were created in Adobe Photoshop using a Wacom Cintiq. The author uses distinct text and cadence for each of his characters, easily identifying the tone of voice for each. The font styling choices help readers to mimic the voices of the characters, adding a visual representation to the dialogue.

The reader’s heart will warm for both Knight Owl and early bird, both of whom, through the course of the story, experience great character arcs before they come together in the end. It’s an endearing story with loveable characters. I know this one will be a staple in Little Worn Pages’s bedtime routine. A great addition to any little’s library shelves, Knight Own and Early Bird is one of the sweetest children’s books I’ve come across this year.

Happy reading!