Daily Mail, Best Summer Books
“Better known for her picture books, this first foray into young fiction by Elys Dolan is a laugh-out loud triumph. With plenty of wildly imaginative black-and-white illustrations, this is the perfect step up from picture books.”
Mail on Sunday, Best Summer Books
“This laugh-out-loud delight for young children is about Dave, the dragon who wants to become a knight.”
The Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week
“The inventive, zany text and captioned pictures are laugh-out-loud funny, and if you are not amused then, as Albrecht would say, you are probably a ‘dummkopf’.”
The Guardian, Children’s Book Round Up
“Full of splendid silliness, Elys Dolan’s Knighthood for Beginners will have readers cackling from start to finish. A highly illustrated hoot, full of outrageous medieval mash ups.”
The Financial Times
“Elys Dolan, who illustrates as well as she writes, seems to know just what tickles a kid’s funny bone, while imparting the message to be yourself, no matter what.”
The Press Association (syndicated in over twenty regional newspapers)
“Author and illustrator Elys Dolan (Steven Seagull Action Hero) has penned her first young fiction book –an epic David vs Goliath tale, that’s sure to treat the imagination and tickle the funny bones of all young readers. At its heart, it’s a story of friendship, finding your strengths and the love of books.”
The Guardian, Independent Bookshop Week
“Full of quirky detail and laugh out loud pictures.”
The Bookseller, “One to Watch"
“One of my favourite picture book creators (I’ve read Weasels and Nuts in Space aloud hundreds of times and they’re still funny) now turns her genius to young fiction with great aplomb. Both words and pictures zing with her distinctive bonkers humour; children will adore the slapstick silliness and there are crossover jokes aplenty for their parents.”
The Booktrust
“This book will make a fabulous first chapter book for a child to read alone. It is also a real laugh to read out loud, particularly the words spoken by Dave’s ‘trusty steed’ Albrecht.”
LoveReading4Kids
“In a nutshell: hilarious courtly adventure from one of our funniest, most inventive writer-illustrators. There’s something funny on each page either in the text or illustrations and this will have every reader laughing. Underneath the humour is a lovely message about being true to yourself.”
Books For Keeps
“Readers will love the fact that this hero is a dragon hooked on books. They will love his dedication to his quest. Most of all, they will love that he is called Dave.”
Parents in Touch
"A laugh-aloud book for newly confident readers, or for sharing aloud, this will have kids in fits of giggles - guaranteed!"
Frances McKay Illustration
"Champion!"
