Common Sense Media Review
By Patricia Tauzer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lion of a tale proves libraries are for everyone!
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
This book isn't so much about lions as it is about rules: when they should be kept and when they can be broken. The likable lion loves the library and, since no rules exclude lions from visiting, he is allowed in. Besides loving story-time, he learns to keep his roar in check and becomes quite helpful. He dusts encyclopedias, licks envelopes, provides a comfy backrest for children, and otherwise settles in amid the books, into the place he loves. Everyone loves the affectionate, soft-padding lion, except the intolerant, rule-minded Mr. McBee, the stricter of the two librarians.
Is It Any Good?
It's easy to see why this terrific, engaging story has been received with such a roar, and why it has remained on the NYT Best Seller List for so long. This is a full-bodied story that will entertain readers of all ages, especially those who love libraries. Through its richly developed text and wonderfully sensitive illustrations, it does more than teach the obvious lesson. It also shows us that libraries are magical places, where amazing things can happen, people are friendly, and children and lions are accepted. Best of all, it celebrates libraries: What a wonderful thing it is that they are for everyone!
Connecting a lion to a library isn't as strange as you'd think. In fact, if you ever visit the New York City Library, you'll find twin statues of these regal animals guarding the main entrance. It's almost as if Michelle Knudsen and Kevin Hawkes have brought one of those amazing beasts to life in their award-winning book, LIBRARY LION. This gentle and funny book has been recognized by the Junior Library Guild, School Library Journal, Amazon.com, and Child's magazine as one of the best books of 2006. It also received the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio 2007 Platinum Award for excellence.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about rules. Why do we have rules, and are there ever times when they should be broken? Do you think the lion should have been allowed in the library?
Book Details
- Author: Michelle Knudsen
- Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
- Genre: Picture Book
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Candlewick Press
- Publication date: July 25, 2007
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 48
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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