“ONCE UPON a time, in a kingdom far from here, there was a prince in line to take the throne, so his
parents set out to find him a kind and worthy bride. The three of them travelled the land far and wide, but the prince didn’t quite find what he was looking for in the princesses they met. While they were away, a terrible dragon threatened their land, and all the soldiers fled. The prince rushed back to save his kingdom from the perilous beast and was met by a brave knight in a suit of brightly shining armor. Together they fought the dragon and discovered that special something the prince was looking for all along.” – Prince and Knight.
This book is published in partnership with GLAAD to accelerate LGBTQ inclusivity and acceptance.
I have no shame in admitting that this book made me cry the first time I read it. Growing up in suburban Ontario, Canada, I never saw any clear, positive representations of same-sex romantic love and relationships in books written for youth. Looking back, I’m sure I didn’t expect to discover a book I could see myself in, represent how I was feeling, and give me hope that I could find my own Prince Charming or Knight in Shining Armour when I grew up—which I inevitably did! (Hi, Todd!) There have always been books about Princes rescuing Princesses with a “true love’s kiss” thrown in for good measure, and that’s fine, but it’s not the only story to be told.
As a youth-oriented adventure book showcasing that different types of love and relationships exist, Prince and Knight is an amazing thing to gift any youngster—or adult. Along with being truly entertaining, this book’s educational value is massive; it is a bridge of understanding for children who have or encounter same-sex parents, gay uncles (like me!) or other queer family and friends.
Speaking of the art, I’m aware of this being Stevie Lewis’ first picture book, and I commend the artist. While some might find it simplistic, I like the use of thick shapes and the whimsy of the backgrounds; the geometry of the illustrations creates interesting perspectives and dynamic proportions, giving dimension to the scenes. I felt the colouring was bold and just bright enough to connote cheerfulness, adventure, and danger whenever it was necessary to do so.
The message of LOVE IS LOVE and acceptance is heartwarming, the story is charming, and the art is enchanting. It’s a shame that in this day and age, there are those in our society still engaging in Queer book bans. Well, I will still seek them out and gladly purchase books like Prince and Knight for myself and for my nephews, who enjoyed this story.
Prince and Knight is available for purchase at amazon.ca, amazon.com, Indigo, and Barnes & Noble. For more information about this author, follow Daniel Haack on Instagram & Twitter. Daniel Haack also has a website. The above two images are credited to Little Bee Books.
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