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The Knight Owl #1

Chevalier Chouette

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Chouette voudrait tant devenir un vrai chevalier ! Il serait courageux. Il serait astucieux. Et il aurait beaucoup d'amis. Après tout, ce n'est pas parce qu'on est petit qu'on ne peut pas accomplir de grandes choses ! Mais son rêve semble impossible. Jusqu'au jour où...

Un conte médiéval sur ce qui fait l'étoffe d'un vrai héros : persévérance, ingéniosité et grand coeur.

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2022

59 people are currently reading
6126 people want to read

About the author

Christopher Denise

47 books159 followers
Christopher Denise spent much of his childhood in Shannon, Ireland, exploring castles and dreaming of great adventures. He is the illustrator of many critically acclaimed books for young readers, including Anika Denise’s Bunny in the Middle, Alison McGhee’s Firefly Hollow, and Rosemary Wells’s Following Grandfather, as well as several in Brian Jacques’s award-winning Redwall series. His books have appeared on the Indie Next List and the New York Times bestseller list. Knight Owl (march 2022) marks his author-illustrator debut. Christopher’s current adventures include exploring coastal Rhode Island, where he lives with his family.

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5 stars
6,347 (57%)
4 stars
3,080 (27%)
3 stars
966 (8%)
2 stars
348 (3%)
1 star
272 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,295 reviews
Profile Image for Debbie W..
948 reviews842 followers
December 21, 2024
Why I chose to read this book:
1. GR friend, Andrea, recently posted a lovely review of this book, which reminded me that I once read it several years ago; and,
2. I thought my 2-year-old grandson would love it!

My grandson has a fascination with owls, even dressing as one this past Halloween. I borrowed this book from the library and read it aloud to him, several times!
Whenever he would come to visit, he would ask for "Knight Owl", although I had to return it to the library. Luckily, his birthday was coming up, so his "Baba" just had to purchase it for him. He was thrilled when he opened his gift and exclaimed, "Knight Owl!"
Now, his parents have to read it over and over to him!

A winner in his eyes! 🦉🦉🦉
Profile Image for Tim.
491 reviews839 followers
March 29, 2022
Owl wants to be a Knight. He's brave, studious and courageous… he's also short, not particularly strong and sleeps all day. That said he's perfect for the Knight's Night Watch, but what happens we he encounters a dragon?

This is a cute little kids book, about being courageous. The drawings aren't scary, and they are frequently funny, so it's the perfect book for a child who is a little nervous but is trying to be brave in the dark. My daughter really enjoyed it and it's a frequently requested "again, again" book.

From an adult standpoint, the illustrations are beautiful, and I kind of love the Owl asking "whooooo?" instead of the usual who goes there. 4/5 stars.
Profile Image for Scottsdale Public Library.
3,532 reviews482 followers
May 19, 2023
"Owl at Home" by Lobel meets "Game of Throne's" Samwell meets a Smaug.

Although you wouldn’t think it by looking at him, Owl has so much to offer the Knight Night Watch and proves so by taking on danger in his own unique way and saves the day.

The puns and references are witty, the message is relevant, and the illustrations are super adorable. Love it! -Sara W.
Profile Image for Scott.
2,264 reviews270 followers
November 4, 2024
"Owl was very afraid. But because he was now a REAL knight, and knights are brave, he puffed out his feathers and said , 'I am Owl, and I am a knight of the Night Watch!'" -- on page 31

Well, it's official: I have found my new spirit animal. Author-illustrator Denise's Knight Owl is a charming, heartwarming, and humorous tale of a valiant young owl who is stirred by the idea of honor and the promise of adventure to serve his medieval community as a knight. (An early page - which pretty much sold me on this wonderful book - depicts Owl as bedecked in a soup pot for his helmet, a cookie baking sheet for his chest armor, and wielding a wooden spoon as his spear.) Our nocturnal hero is assigned the 'night watch' to guard the castle after a number of his fellow knights go missing, and soon he faces the biggest moment as a rookie when coming face-to-face with a potential threat. This family-friendly tale will translate very well to children genuinely considering careers as first responders and/or in the military, OR their parents already in such positions.
Profile Image for Karina.
1,029 reviews
January 28, 2023
Had to return to the library so I didn’t catch a quick quote from it but my daughter enjoyed it and it was a very cute story and very pretty pictures.
Profile Image for Darla.
4,851 reviews1,250 followers
July 21, 2022
This book is full of surprises and punny phrases. A little night owl trains and works hard to become a Knight Owl. What will he do when a dragon appears during his Knight Night Watch? The little owl has no chance against a hungry dragon, or does he? Maybe a brilliant idea will turn them from friends into foes. Hint: it’s round and cheesy. Share the story of this brave and clever little bird with someone you love.
Profile Image for Julia Ash.
Author 5 books321 followers
December 27, 2023
I LOVED this children's book!

The message is so encouraging: Even the tiniest have a chance against all odds when they use "smarts" instead of size to evolve into a hero. Also, what seems like a limitation (being awake at night while most are sleeping) can turn out to be a gift in disguise!!!

The illustrations are OUTSTANDING! What talent!!!

I highly recommend this book :)
Profile Image for Matal “The Mischling Princess” Baker.
504 reviews28 followers
December 9, 2023
I have read more picture books than I can possibly count. But I have never read a more beautiful PB than “Knight Owl” by Christopher Denise.

Denise won a Caldecott Honor for 2022. But to be honest, I firmly believe that this book should have been the winner, hands down. The story is quaint and cute. An owl living in Medieval society desperately wants to be a knight, even though knights are disappearing into thin air. But being brave, the owl not only gets into Knight School, but he passes and is assigned to the Knight Night Watch.

This smart little owl found himself in imminent danger when a dragon descended on his tower. But using his intelligence, he outwitted a dragon—with pizza!—and soon became friends with him. Because of owl’s wit and bravery, not to mention their blooming friendship, the dragon quit eating the other knights.

Besides authoring this PB, Denise also did the artwork, which is breathtakingly beautiful. If anyone is interested in a loving, colorful book, then this succinct PB is a must have!
Profile Image for Sara.
1,802 reviews562 followers
May 12, 2025
وای خدا چقدرررر ناز بود!!!
پیکچرز بوک‌هایی که مائده معرفی میکنه یه لول دیگه ای نازن و باعث شده با یه سری هنرمند جذاب آشنا بشم.
۲.۱۴۰۴
Profile Image for Chalice.
140 reviews37 followers
June 10, 2022
*nonchalantly adds children's books so I can catch up with my reading schedule*
Okay, but this book was literally the cutest. Just go read it, okay. 😄
Profile Image for Trish.
2,395 reviews3,749 followers
July 1, 2023
I walked past this book when being in town with my sister and it was so adorably cute that I HAD to grab it.

The story is that of a little owl that has dreamed of becoming a knight forever. But there are a few small problems with that dream ...

However, the little guy is not deterred but rather determined and before long, he actually is a knight ... which brings about a whole different kind of (not so small) problems.



A wonderfully cute story about dreaming big no matter what size you are and how everyone can change the world for the better and find friends and happiness.
Profile Image for Maede.
498 reviews736 followers
May 4, 2025
این جغد کوچکی که می‌بینید آرزوش این بود که شوالیه بشه. اما آخه چجوری؟

اما بالاخره روزی آگهی ثبت‌نام مدرسه‌ی شوالیه‌ها رو می‌بینه و تصمیم می‌گیره ثبت‌نام کنه، حتی با وجود اینکه شمشیر و سپرش رو نمی‌تونه حمل کنه و روزها همش خوابش میاد. اما هر جوری هست انجامش میده و شوالیه میشه. یک شوالیه‌ی واقعی که حالا باید شجاع و باهوش باشه، چون مشکل مهمی در سرزمین وجود داره

من عاشق کتاب‌های تصویری‌ای هستم که واقعاً داستان دارند. چون فکر می‌کنم بهترین روش انتقال مفاهیم اول و آخر هم همینه و اینجور کتاب‌ها خیلی کم شدند. جغد این داستان برای من نماد آدم‌های متفاوت با آرزوهای بزرگه. آدم‌هایی که هرچند سخت می‌تونن از سیستم‌های معمول رشد کنند، اما کافیه که جاشون رو پیدا کنند. اونجاست که همه‌چیز رو به بهترین شکل تغییر میدن

تصاویر کتاب بسیار دوست‌داشتنی هستند و تازه براش نسخه‌ی صوتی هم پیدا کردم که حتماً گوش بدید

کتاب و صوتیش رو می‌تونید از اینجا دانلود کنید
Maede's Books

۱۴۰۴/۲/۱۲
Profile Image for Bookishrealm.
3,248 reviews6,428 followers
August 27, 2023
I definitely get why this one won a Caldecott honor! The artwork is simply gorgeous.

Knight Owl follows an owl that aspires to be a knight. He goes through all of the necessary training to be one and finds that some of his personal qualities make the job a little difficult. However, it’s one night on patrol that this owl learns that he, in fact, is capable of doing the job like his human counterparts.

The artwork in this is so well done. It felt overwhelmingly beautiful. With rich deep and dark colors used for so many of the scenes, this is the perfect one to read at night. There are a lot of lessons to be learned in this book. Especially those about perseverance, believing in yourself, not being afraid to be different, and feeling confidence in the scariest of moments. Overall, this is a solid beautiful read and would be perfect for younger readers who love fantasy.
Profile Image for Jessica.
Author 26 books5,924 followers
September 8, 2022
I love him. He is the most precious bebe, and I cannot adore him enough! I immediately bought two copies, one for me and one for my sister, found out that she had already bought (or someone else had) bought her a copy, sent the second one to my niece for her precious little baby. Everyone must have this book! It is so dear!
Profile Image for Laura.
1,520 reviews253 followers
April 29, 2022

The power of pizza wins again!

Once upon time there was a little Owl who dreamed of becoming a knight. A dangerous job at any size. But Owl is determined and applies to Knight School, where he works hard and makes his dream come true. Then one night, while on Knight night watch, he hears a “whoosh”. Owl is scared, but knows he has to be brave. So he puffs out his feathers and calls out, “Whoooo”. Come see who answers! Friend or foe?

The art! Oh, the art here is a treat. The blue, starry night pages are all aglow with fire light and surprises! The wide-eyed wonder and cuteness of our little, armor-clad hero will make you “aww” for sure. He’s just so sweet! And small! The imposing size of Owl’s sword, shield, and fellow knights all emphasize that point. But you know what? Heroes and dreams come in all shapes and sizes. Just be brave and work hard!

I’ve read this optimistic gem over and over again. It’s just too adorable to let go! I love every whooo, whoosh, and feather.

Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Rod Brown.
7,397 reviews284 followers
February 19, 2023
A cute little owl puts on a cute little suit of armor and cutely helps defend the castle as part of the night watch. It's cute.


(Another project! I'm trying to read all the picture books and graphic novels on the kids section of NPR's Books We Love 2022.)
Profile Image for Ms. B.
3,749 reviews78 followers
August 21, 2022
Perfect for the young child who is looking for a book about knights. A little owl dreams of becoming a knight; he applies to knight school, is accepted .
Profile Image for Michelle Olson.
Author 5 books121 followers
March 16, 2025
Found this gem in the “SPARKLY” section of the library (I love librarians! 😂). Lovely story of determination and ingenuity.
Profile Image for Roya.
757 reviews163 followers
May 13, 2025
جدای از کیوت بودنش، تصویرگری کتاب خیلی قشنگ بود😭
چرا هیچ‌وقت توی ذهنم تصویری از یک جغد شوالیه نداشتم؟ 🫠
Profile Image for Yas.
660 reviews72 followers
May 12, 2025
دیدم همه اینو خوندن، منم گفتم واردش کنم:) خیلی ناز و کیوته. اولین بار آنیکا با سینمای کتاب مصور Bilderbuchkino برای بچه‌های مهدکودک خوند و عالی بود خوانشش. دو سه بار دیگه هم بقیه کتابدارها♡
Profile Image for Jen.
3,477 reviews27 followers
November 5, 2024
This book was incredibly sweet. I loved Knight Owl, I loved his dedication and bravery, I loved how he thought outside of the box, I loved the artwork, I loved his parents’ expressions, I loved the pizza!

5, I just LOVED everything about this book, stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Karen Foster.
699 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2022
Our choice for children’s book of the year at B&N…. This is just hands down one of the loveliest picture books I’ve seen in a while. This cute and courageous little fella captured my heart ❤️
Profile Image for Elizabeth A.
2,155 reviews119 followers
April 19, 2022
I read this picture book aloud at bedtime, and loved it until about the last page or two. It's the story of a little owl who wants to be a knight. A night Knight owl. The illustrations are wonderful and cuteness abounds. I laughed out loud at one twist, but then, the tale abruptly ends. Now, I know that this is a book for littles, and it all ends well, but that ending had me turning back to see if I'd missed something. A little more story development, and I'd have given this one 5 stars.
Profile Image for Mid-Continent Public Library.
591 reviews213 followers
Read
July 21, 2022
This book is full of surprises and punny phrases. A little night owl trains and works hard to become a Knight Owl. What will he do when a dragon appears during his Knight Night Watch? The little owl has no chance against a hungry dragon, or does he? Maybe a brilliant idea will turn them from friends into foes. Hint: it’s round and cheesy. Share the story of this brave and clever little bird with someone you love. *Review by Darla from Red Bridge*
Profile Image for Lisa.
310 reviews44 followers
November 23, 2024
What’s not to love about this adorable book?! The illustrations are beautiful, the story is both funny and touching, and the sweet little owl is a true hero!! Sure to become a classic, it’s one of the best new children’s books I’ve read in quite some time!! Highly recommend to every child and every child at heart!!
Profile Image for Julie.
1,008 reviews
May 11, 2023
This is darling! I love stories about little being mighty and what’s not to love about winning over you adversaries with smarts and kindness. The illustrations are a joy for the eyes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,295 reviews

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