Hector and the Big Bad Knight

When the Big Bad Knight steals Granny's magic wand, Hector offers to get it back for her. The villagers all laugh - Hector is the tiniest boy in the village. He doesn't have any muscles and he's much too small to be a hero. But even though there area all kinds of obstacles ahead of him, Hector has a plan - and although he may be small, he's determined to teach the Big Bad Knight a lesson.

This colourful picture book, illustrated in Alex T Smith's trademark style, is a fun spin on the fairy-tale tradition, making the point that brains are far better than brawn. Children will especially like all the quirky details, such as Hector's unlikely companion on his adventure (a hen named Norman) and the hanky full of Useful Things (from a packet of crisps to Granny's umbrella) that help him on his quest.