Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that nothing objectionable is presented in this imaginative story, although some kids might wonder whether or not a lion could really visit a library.
Families can talk about rules: Why do we have them? When should they be kept? Are there ever times when they should be broken? What do you think about the lion? Should he have been allowed in the library? What about when he roared and ran through the stacks? What do you think about Miss Merriweather's attitude toward the lion? What about Mr. McBee?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Patricia Tauzer
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.
It's easy to see why Library Lion has been received with such a roar, and why it has remained on the NYT Best Seller List for so long. This is a terrific full-bodied story that will entertain and engage 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!
From The Book
Mr. McBee ran down the hall to the head librarian's office. "Miss Merriweather!" he called.
"No running," said Miss Merriweather, without looking up.
"But there's a lion!" said Mr. McBee. "In the library!"
"Is he breaking any rules?" asked Miss Merriweather. She was very particular about rule breaking.
"Well, no, said Mr. McBee. "Not really."
"Then leave him be."
Plot Summary:
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.
Related Books:
Other Books for Library Lovers:
The Library by Sarah Stewart
Aunt Lulu by Daniel Pinkwater
Wild About Books by Judy Sierra
But Excuse Me That Is My Book by Lauren Child
Library Lil by Suzanne Williams
The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy
Winston the Book Wolf by Marni McGee
Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book by Alexander Sadler
Web Sites:
The Author's Site
The Illustrator's Site
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