Arthur and Lance love to play with their swords in the house. But Mom, even when conveniently distracted by the upcoming garden club show, is adamantly opposed to the activity. When she leaves the boys for the day, they find other things to do, like jousting atop cows in their mother’s prize daffodil beds. Snappy family conversation, complete with sarcastic witticisms, may fly right over the head of the intended audience for this reader, but it will ring true for the adult sitting and helping sound out words. Sunny ink-and-acrylic illustrations keep the story as light and humorous as the situations the boys get themselves into. And, in the end, when they replace their swords and lances with manure shovels, readers will smile with understanding. Three quick-paced chapters for the reader just on the verge of real chapter books make this a quick and amusing read. And that’s just the point. (Easy reader. 4-7)
