The Knight Snacker by Valeria Wicker (review)

Reviewed by: The Knight Snacker by Valeria Wicker Danica Ronquillo Wicker, Valeria The Knight Snacker; written and illus. by Valeria Wicker. Little, 2023 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780316456340 $18.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 3-6 yrs On a dark and stormy night, Sir Julian's tummy rumbles as he waits for dinner in the kitchen, but he's reluctant to try his mom's new recipe, Fusion Fondue. Sir Julian [End Page 77] only pretends to eat the healthy, icky, green ooze by feeding it to his dog underneath the table, but after bedtime, his tummy predictably continues to roar. Sir Julian has no choice but to take his trusty cloak, sword, and teddy bear companion and venture off into his dim castle to search for a scrumptious snack. Clever narration with puns, onomatopoeia, and alliteration support Sir Julian's imagined self as a brave and noble knight as he gathers the courage to pierce through the darkness with his mighty sword and charges into the kitchen. The humorous and overdramatic digital art illustrations portray Sir Julian's fearful expressions and body language as he scurries to a light switch, creeps to the privy chamber (aka the bathroom), and runs away from shadowy enemies in the hallways. Readers will feel his devastation on a double-page spread with kitchen cabinets in disarray and no snacks in sight, thus watching with anticipation as the faithful knight faces his greatest foe of leftover fondue. "But hunger was like a ferocious, five-horned, fire-breathing dragon," and Sir Julian conquers the beast with a bite of green goo, only to realize it isn't half bad. The next time his mom tries a new recipe, Sir Julian, donning a strainer helmet, a pot lid shield, and a ladle, will surely find the inner strength to try it. Share this with adventurous picky eaters to help conquer their fears and feel victorious on a full tummy. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois