Review of LIBRARY LION

Bibliography:

Knudsen, Michelle. 2006. Library Lion. Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763622621

Summary:

A lion ventures in to a public library and enjoys the storytime so much that he does not want it to end. He roars to show his displeasure. The head librarian warns lion that if he cannot follow the rule to be quiet he will have to leave. Lion obeys the rule and returns daily. He helps the librarians and patrons as he waits for story hour to begin. One day, while trying to help the head librarian, lion roars very loudly. Knowing that he has not followed the rules, he leaves the library for good. Both the staff and patrons miss him. Lion is persuaded to return, and he learns that sometimes it is okay to break the rules.

Critical Analysis:

Michelle Knudsen’s Library Lion is a simple, entertaining story set in a library, a place familiar to most young children. Readers will delight in seeing the many ways that a lion can be helpful in a library. Who knew that a lion could “dust the encyclopedias” with his tail or “lick all the envelopes for the overdue notices”? Knudsen does not rely on rhyme or figurative language to relay her story. Her writing style is very basic and direct, beginning with her opening sentence, “One day, a lion came to the library.” She intrigues readers with the notion of the king of the jungle as a helpful library patron who is willing to break the rules in order to help a friend in need.

The heart-warming tale of the Library Lion is enhanced by Kevin Hawkes’ illustrations. Hawkes’ acrylic and pencil drawings fill the pages and bring both the lion and the library to life. This is especially evident in the illustration of lion trying to get Mr. McBee’s attention in order to help Miss Merriweather. The drawing dominates the page and draws the readers’ eyes to the lion’s open mouth. Readers can almost hear the loud “Raaahhhrrr!”, and they see how it causes sheets of paper to fly off the shelf, the light to sway, and Mr. McBee’s glasses to fall off. The action and detail of the illustrations as well as the entertaining story of a book-loving lion will captivate the imagination of children everywhere. After all, if a lion can learn to follow library rules, who knows what other creatures might visit the library?

Connections:

This book would serve as a good introduction to the library and its rules.

Students could be invited to bring a stuffed animal to storytime to enjoy the activities. The group could then go on a tour of the library to see how it operates.