Book Review - Library Lion

Knudsen, Michelle, ill. Kevin Hawkes. 2006. Library Lion. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press.

In this charming picture book by Michelle Knudsen, a lion comes to the library. After learning to follow the rules, he returns everyday to enjoy story hour with the children, and help the librarian Mrs. Merriweather with chores. When Mrs. Merriweather falls and breaks her arm, the lion roars loudly to get the attention of library clerk, Mr. McBee, and thus help his hurt friend. Disheartened by his rule breaking, the lion leaves the library, and doesn’t return until Mr. McBee comforts him by explaining “that there’s a new rule at the library. No roaring allowed, unless you have a very good reason – say, if you’re trying to help a friend who’s been hurt, for example.” Everyone soon understood that “sometimes there was a good reason to break the rules. Even in the library.” The lion is an enduring character, and portrays the library as a welcoming, comfortable, and interesting place to be. Soft-toned pencil and acrylic illustrations on cream-colored paper add a warm coziness to the book, and dark brown text contributes to this affect. [By Mandy Hooker, written as an assignment for TWU SLIS]