Signed edition

seemed sort of stereotypical

The library where I work classifies this glorious picture book as being for school children, rather than really young children. It's a very nice adult book, too. I read a book about the intellectual decline of America – the author complained about how awful Young Adult books are – she was reading classics at that age. I still read almost everything from picture books on up, and I think she's missing out!

Deborah Allen has updated the Grimm story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses to a lively tale in contemporary Harlem, and has it narrated by the family dog. I don't think these twelve brothers have to be enchanted to go dancing! Like the princesses, their shoes are worn out every night, and their father, Reverend Knight, wants to know why! After hiring a succession of housekeepers and either firing them or having them quit, it puts a desperate advertisement in Jet magazine, and a somewhat mysterious woman named Sunday shows up, puts the boys to work, provides wonderful meals, and figures out their secret, but then the story takes a very different turn.

It is perfectly illustrated with pictures by Kadir Nelson that are as lively as the story. Like the text, they are a vivid commentary on the wonders of dance. The picture of the twelve boys dancing on the roof at night that's on the cover is incredible.

This was also made into a stage play that I would like to see – what an opportunity for great dancing that would be. ( )

Brothers of the Knight was such a fun and enjoyable read! If I'm going to be honest, I had to do a little research on the original story that this little book was based off of. I found that it is based on the fairytale The Twelve Dancing Princesses, and this author's retelling was very similar to the original story! For example, this story was centered around a Reverend who had twelve sons, and lived in Harlem. The twelve sons would escape every night to dance at a hip spot, and the Reverend could not figure out why their shoes were destroyed each evening. This is similar in the original Brothers Grimm tale. The only difference in this story and the original was who was narrating the story--the family dog, who gave the story a joyful and playful feel. The entire story was also written in slang, to stay true to the Harlem culture. I loved this story, even though I have never read the original, and would love to read it to students one day! ( )

Debbie Allen, a well-known film producer, actress and choreographer, transforms The Twelve Dancing Princesses - the beloved German fairytale from the Brothers Grimm - into a tale of African-American family life in Brothers of the Knight.

Reverend Knight, a reserved pastor living with his twelve son in Harlem, is determined to find out why their shoes are worn to bits every morning, but it is only after the arrival of his new housekeeper, Sunday, that the mystery begins to unravel. The Twelve Dancing Princesses is currently one of my favorite fairy-tales, so I was delighted to discover this contemporary adaptation, which emphasizes the need for open communication between parents and children. Kadir Nelson's exuberant illustrations are a good match for the energy of Allen's characters. ( )