The Knight Who Was Afraid to Fight

by Barbara Shook Hazen, Toni Goffe (Illustrator)

Sir Fred, considered to be the bravest knight in the castle, fears for his reputation when a jealous bully tries to expose his secret fear of fighting

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1994

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Knight Who Was Afraid to Fight by Barbara Shook Hazen, Illustrator Toni Giffe- Hindi Language translation by Arvind Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Sir Fred who is the bravest knight in the kingdom. Sir Fred loves a beautiful Lady Wendylyn. Melvin, the Miffed, the castle bully does not appreciate them and is jealous of their friendship. Melvin endeavors to finds drawbacks in life of Sir Fred. Melvin discovers that Sir Fred does not like to fight and is afraid to see blood. Melvin decides to expose the real Sir Fred and challenges him to a duel. Sir Fred does not want to fight, but his lady's attitude is quickly changing and now he may have to face his fear. Duel begins in the morning. Sir Fred wears a mirror above his chest guard while Melvin applies poison to the tip of his sword & also keeps poisonous butterflies in his bag. During the duel, Melvin’s horse is afraid of the reflection of sunlight from Sir Fred’s mirror. Melvin’s horse drops him. Melvin’s sword is stuck in his clothes. Melvin’s poisonous butterflies bite him. Melvin agrees that he has lost and that he should not be killed. Duel is over. Sir Fred thinks that Lady Wendylyn would not love him after this duel but Lady Wendylyn confirms her love for Sir Fred. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[mamma.needsabook · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Knight Who Was Afraid to Fight is a really fun and colorful book about a knight named Sir Fred. Even though everyone thinks he’s super brave, he’s actually scared of fighting! But when a mean knight challenges him, Sir Fred has to figure out what to do. Instead of using swords, he uses his cleverness to save the day. This book shows that you don’t need to be tough to be a hero- you just need to be true to yourself.
This is a book we keep rereading and always enjoy!

[eRin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sir Fred is a brave knight, loved by Lady Wendylyn. This makes the castle bully, Melvin the Miffed, very angry. Melvin is even more angered when he discovers that Sir Fred does not like to fight and is freaked out by blood. Melvin decides to expose the real Sir Fred and challenges him to a duel. Sir Fred doesn't want to fight, but his lady's attitude is quickly changing and now he may have to face his fear.

This was so-so. It wasn't really that great--Sir Fred is afraid to fight and hates the sight of blood. But while this could have been turned into a positive and a mention of pacifism, instead it is turned into a weakness and that idea is never really corrected. The illustrations were decent, but this is not something I would want to read again.

[The Brothers · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story of a knight who keels over at the sight of blood. Just kinda weird.

Illustrations are cartoony, average.