*For Welsh review, see language toggle switch on top of web page*
WINNER OF THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2017
Shortlisted for The Evening Standard Oscar's Book Prize 2016
Longlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Prize 2017
(suggested)interest age: 2-7
(auggested) reading age: 5+
Illustrations: Jim Field https://www.jimfield.me/
A modern twist on one of Aesop's fables
Without a doubt, this is one of the best picturebooks of the last decade, and one that looks like something straight out of the Disney pixar world. Children will be asking to read this bestseller more than once!
And don’t just take my word for it - this book has sold more than 200,000 copies in Britain alone and has been translated into over 30 languages! Quite an achievement for any book wouldn’t you agree?
"Being small isn't always easy."
The little mouse has fed up of being ignored and forgotten, often stamped on under foot because he’s so small to even be noticed. On the other hand, the lion is something of a dandy - full of confidence and able to command the attention of all the Savannah animals. All he’s got to do is roar and everyone listens. What a show-off!
One night, the little mouse gets a big idea. He wishes to be brave like the lion, and although he knows full well that the lion could swallow him in an instant, he decides to be brave and go in search of the lion for help... Oh-oh!
But, quite expectedly, the lion behaves very strangely. That’s because he’s afraid of mice! Somehow, the mouse manages to persuade the lion that there’s nothing to fear and that he doesn’t have to roar loudly to gain respect. The beginnings of a rather unusual friendship…
"You don't have to be big and brave to make a difference..."
This book is just LOVELY – an absolute pleasure to read. If you're not familiar with Jim Field's work, go search the web – his style is so unique– pictures that are extremely filmic and very contemporary. This spread below is my favourite:
Sometimes I worry that adaptations, especially ones that rhyme, can be a bit awkward, but Eurig Salisbury has done a good job here, with a translation that flows as well as the original.
"Modern classic"
For any child who is nervous or feeling insecure, I would recommend this book. But to be honest, it's so good, everyone should read it. The messages are important and clear, and the story of the lion and mouse conveys this in a way that is understandable for young children. The story shows that even the most confident and high-flying individuals sometimes have hidden fears. Also, this is to show that you don't have to be big and noisy to be heard, and there's courage lurking within all of us, no matter our size! Everyone has an important role to play in this world, remember that.
I don’t often rate books individually, but this one gets 10/10 from me.
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