Review - Sir Kevin of Devon

Sir Kevin of Devon
by Adelaide Holl
illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
Date: 1963
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 36
Format: e-book
Source: Open Library

The rhyming story of a young lad Kevin (not quite 11) who dreams of being a knight and his chase after a clanking dragon that terrorizes the land.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This out-of-print book is sort of a gem. Its bouncy rhythm reminds me of Dr. Seuss, but without all the nonsensical words.

This is the story of Kevin (not quite eleven) who longs to be a knight. He gets his chance when a monster starts terrorizing the countryside and all the other knights chickens flee. But Kevin is brave, and so the king gets him all kitted out with a suit of armour and sends him out to battle the monster. Kevin soon learns, though, that the monster isn't quite what it seems.

The illustrations are all done in shades of black, grey, and orange. They look like they're from the '60s (and they are!) but they work well with the subject matter.

There are some fun books out there that are no longer in print. Sir Kevin of Devon is one of them. If you get a chance, I'd recommend taking a look.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.57 out of 5