Prince & Knight
“Prince & Knight” is a children's picture book, a modern fairy tale written by Daniel Haack and illustrated by Stevie Lewis. The story follows a young prince whose parents seek a bride for him, but he does not find a suitable partner among the princesses he meets. When a dragon attacks the kingdom, the prince courageously returns to defend his land and, in the process, meets a brave knight. Together, they defeat the dragon, and the prince realizes the knight is the 'special something' he has been searching for. The two fall in love and marry, with the full support of the royal family and the kingdom. Targeted at children ages 4-8, the book is noted for its LGBTQ+ themes, explicitly presenting a same-sex romantic relationship and marriage. It is part of a broader effort to integrate positive LGBTQ+ representation in children's literature, a partnership between the publisher and GLAAD. The content aims to portray a universal message of love and acceptance through a familiar fairy tale structure.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe book explicitly features a same-sex romantic relationship and marriage as its central theme. The protagonist, a prince, ultimately falls in love with and marries a knight, rather than a princess, fulfilling the book's stated aim to provide positive LGBTQ+ representation in children's literature.
The core plot of the book details the Prince's search for a partner, his eventual encounter with a Knight, and their shared experience fighting a dragon, which leads to them falling in love and marrying. Author Daniel Haack confirmed his intention was to show children that 'gay people are just as capable of being the brave heroes, and are just as worthy as anyone of being in love,' directly addressing LGBTQ+ representation.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighThe book has been a subject of controversy and frequent challenges due to its central theme of a same-sex marriage, with opponents citing 'conflicting with a religious viewpoint' and concerns about 'indoctrinating young children' into an 'LGBTQA lifestyle' as reasons for its removal from some libraries. This directly positions the content against certain Christian doctrinal interpretations.
The book was the fifth most challenged book in 2019, primarily for 'featuring a gay marriage and LGBTQIA+ content' and for 'conflicting with a religious viewpoint.' A specific instance involved a church minister calling the book 'a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children... into the LGBTQA lifestyle' and an 'intentional leading of children into sin.'
Violence
MediumThe story includes a conflict with a dragon, which poses a threat to the kingdom. However, the depiction of violence is mild, with the dragon being captured and tied up rather than killed, aligning with a children's picture book format.
A 'terrible dragon' threatens the kingdom, causing all the soldiers to flee, prompting the Prince to return and confront the 'perilous beast'. The Prince and the Knight work together to 'capture the beast' by using a lasso to tie it up, rather than engaging in graphic or lethal combat.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe primary romantic content involves the development of affection between the male Prince and male Knight, culminating in their marriage. This includes expressions of love and a kiss, presented in a wholesome and age-appropriate manner for young children.
After defeating the dragon, the Prince and Knight share a moment where they 'gazed into each other's eyes, their hearts began to race' and recognized 'there simply was no other' for them, followed by 'true love's kiss.' The book concludes with the Prince and Knight's wedding day, celebrated by the King, Queen, and villagers, emphasizing their 'happily ever after' as a married couple.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe story features a menacing dragon attacking the kingdom, which could be intense for very young children. However, the conflict is resolved without graphic violence, and the overall tone remains within the boundaries of a children's fairy tale adventure.
A 'terrible dragon' is portrayed as a significant threat, causing fear among the kingdom's soldiers who 'fled' from the 'perilous beast.' The Prince and Knight engage in a confrontation with the dragon, which involves action, but it culminates in the dragon being tied up, preventing graphic injury or death.
Profanity
LowNo instances of profanity, swear words, or strong language have been identified in the available content analysis or reader reviews. The language used is consistently appropriate for a children's picture book.
Reviews and plot summaries consistently describe the book as using simple, often rhyming text suitable for young readers without any indication of offensive language. The narrative maintains a traditional fairy tale tone, free from modern expletives or slang typically associated with profanity.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe presence of a dragon is a fantastical element common in fairy tales, but the book does not depict explicit witchcraft, magic rituals, or occult themes. The focus is on bravery and love within a classic fantasy setting.
The primary fantastical element is a dragon that threatens the kingdom, which the Prince and Knight overcome through teamwork and bravery. There are no mentions of spells, sorcery, demons, or other specific occult practices in the narrative of the first book.
Substance Use
LowThe book contains no depictions or mentions of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, or any form of substance misuse. The content is entirely free from references to addiction or intoxication.
The narrative focuses on the adventure of the Prince and Knight and their developing relationship, without any scenes or dialogue involving substance consumption. This content area is entirely absent from the story.
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowThe Prince respectfully declines the princesses his parents introduce, indicating he is searching for a different kind of partner. This is not portrayed as rebellion, as his parents are ultimately accepting and joyful about his choice of a Knight.
The Prince expresses his preference politely, stating, 'Thank you... I'm looking for something special in a partner by my side,' rather than openly defying his parents' wishes. The King and Queen respond with 'overwhelmed with joy' when the Prince finds love with the Knight, demonstrating acceptance and negating any theme of disrespect or rebellion.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
This book is recommended for ages 4-8 (Pre-School to Third Grade) based on publisher guidelines and its picture book format. The thematic focus on a same-sex romantic relationship and marriage is central, requiring parental discretion and discussion based on family values, especially given its challenged status for religious viewpoints.
Additional Notes
The book "Prince & Knight" is the first in a series that includes a sequel, "Prince & Knight: Tale of the Shadow King," which continues the story of the married couple referred to as 'husbands.' A companion book, "Maiden & Princess," also features a same-sex female couple. These later installments reinforce and expand upon the LGBTQ+ themes introduced in the original book. The book's publication was a partnership with GLAAD, specifically to promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity. The content has faced notable challenges and attempts at censorship in educational and library settings due to its themes.
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