The Evil Princess vs. the Brave Knight

Chivalry? It’s more like rivalry as the siblings Holm (the Babymouse series) conjure a medieval brother and sister who can’t resist pounding on each other whenever they get the chance. Illustrator Matthew draws the Evil Princess with a crown and a high-collared cape, while the Brave Knight sports a full suit of armor and a hefty sword. The Evil Princess hides behind a stone column, sticks out her foot—she’s evil, after all—and the Brave Knight goes flying. Sent to their rooms by the Magic Mirror—a Disney-style inanimate character who serves in loco parentis (“Calm must prevail,” it says)—they wait out their punishment. The Evil Princess attempts to work magic on a hilariously stoic stuffed rabbit; the Brave Knight is terrorized by a spider. When the two are released, they unite in a quest, but all too soon they’re pushing each other into the bathtub. The sly contrast between words and pictures is the source of much of the story’s fun: “He freed the fair maiden from her prison” shows the Brave Knight crossing the bathtub to rescue their cat. It’s a droll portrait of the love-hate sibling bond—both medieval and modern. Ages 3–7. [em](Aug.) [/em]