This beautifully illustrated picture book has won numerous honors and awards including being a NY Times Bestseller and a Junior Library Guild Selection. It is a classic story that will have the same relevance fifty years from now as it does today.
Author: Michelle Knudsen
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
Publisher: Candlewick, 2006
Fiction or non-Fiction: Fiction
Audience age: 4-7
Theme: Rule-breaking, Friendship
Opening page: "One day, a lion came to the library. He walked right past the circulation desk and up into the stacks"
Synopsis: From author Michelle Knudsen's website, "
Resources:
Download the Library Lion Story Hour Guide and Event Kit, which includes discussion questions, a song, a craft, and other suggested stories to round out the Library Lion experience.
Download the Library Lion Story Hour Guide and Event Kit, which includes discussion questions, a song, a craft, and other suggested stories to round out the Library Lion experience.
Why I like this book:
This book is beautifully written and illustrated. The words and art fit together perfectly. The characters have a very real feeling to them, even though the situation is far from real. The lion is lovable; Miss Merriweather is like a beloved teacher; Mr. McBee is flawed with good intentions. In addition, the message is invaluable to preschoolers who are still discerning right from wrong. It doesn't hurt that the book was published by one of my favorite publishing houses, Candlewick.
This book is beautifully written and illustrated. The words and art fit together perfectly. The characters have a very real feeling to them, even though the situation is far from real. The lion is lovable; Miss Merriweather is like a beloved teacher; Mr. McBee is flawed with good intentions. In addition, the message is invaluable to preschoolers who are still discerning right from wrong. It doesn't hurt that the book was published by one of my favorite publishing houses, Candlewick.
More links:
Here's a link to a great interview with Michelle Knudsen on author Cynthia Leitich Smith's web site, Cynsations. Also, find a more in-depth summary of Library Lion on kidlit author Beth Stillborn's website.
For more Picture Perfect Books please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
This is an adorable, warming, reassuring story. Great choice,
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanna. And thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! I should have known someone would beat me to it :) Such a wonderful choice for our list. Thanks so much for adding it. (And I put your link up since the list wasn't available when you tried - sorry about that!)
ReplyDeleteNo worries about the link, Susanna. It's easily something I would have done too. Library Lion is a great book -- and not typical for a fairly recently published book, no?
DeleteNever heard of this book. Will have to check it out now.
ReplyDeleteYes, check it out -- it is a wonderful book. Thanks for stopping by, Darshana.
DeleteWonderful review and choice. Thanks for the interview link
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer for the nice words and for stopping by. :-)
DeleteLovely review about a very good book. I have not seen this one before! Found the interview link interesting. Good PPB choice today.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patricia. I'm glad you stopped by!
DeleteI read this book at my child's book fair. It's really, really good, but kind of long.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about it being long -- not typical for today's picture books. As a parent, I could see how I might not want to read it at bedtime, but as a writer, I'm so relieved that this type of book can get published and be successful.
DeleteOhhhh Margaret you beat me to it. I had only bought this book last week for a future review as I fell in love with its soft illustrations by Kevin Hawkes and wonderful story by Michelle. I know I will pass this book on, but not till I have read it many times...lol. Lovely review thankyou.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I like your taste! :-)
DeleteThis is a wonderful book! There was a time when I read this one every single day for my son, Arthur. The art is just right. A great choice for PPBF!
ReplyDeleteLots of introductions for me today. That's why I love PPBF.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds delightful! I love these Friday posts.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story idea! I love how the lion is timid in the library until he has to be himself :)
ReplyDelete