Library lion

by Michelle Knudsen

Other authorsKevin Hawkes (Illustrator)
Hardcover, 2006

Status

Checked out
Due 2024-04-20

Publication

Cambridge, Mass. : Candlewick Press, c2006.

Description

A lion starts visiting the local library but runs into trouble as he tries to both obey the rules and help his librarian friend.

User reviews

LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
The public library was my home away from home as a child, and I vividly recall how eagerly I anticipated my weekly Saturday visits, and the deep sense of contentment I felt, when wandering through the stacks and browsing the shelves. With a lifetime of affection for this most wonderful of public
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institutions, it's hardly surprising that I have a soft spot for books which highlight the joy and pleasure to be had therein...

Library Lion is one such book, and I thank my friend Chandra for putting me on to it. It is the heartwarming story of a lion who wanders into the library one day, and - after learning that he must obey the rules - finds a new calling. Whether he's dusting the encyclopedias with his tail, or licking head-librarian Miss Merriweather's envelopes, the lion makes himself useful. But when he finds that he must break the rules, will he lose his newfound home?

This engaging story, accompanied by Kevin Hawkes' endearing pencil and acrylic illustrations, makes for a very satisfying picture book. It also offers an ideal jumping off point for a discussion about the nature of rules: when to follow them, and when not to. Highly recommended!
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LibraryThing member dangerlibearian
Makings of a classic, although very long and wordy. Lion wanders into a library and becomes its mascot, he must learn not to roar!! When the librarian falls and hurts herself, he goes against his training and roars with all his might.
LibraryThing member paroof
Librarians will probably love this story more than most, but any child would too. A lion comes to the library one day and eventually captures everyone's heart. My son told me that the lion thought the library was a place for him because of the stone lions out in front of the library. Beautiful
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artwork, lovable characters.
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LibraryThing member MusicMom41
This is a charming picture book about a lion who wanders into a public library and the effect he has on everyone as he makes himself at home. It’s the children’s version of Dewey, the Library Cat. I plan to send a copy of this to my grandsons in Chicago. Highly recommended
LibraryThing member sharmon05
This delightful book would be enjoyed by any age group. The story is creative and fun. This book is also a good example of a fantasy, because the lion is so much like a human. The illustrations in this book are also very well crafted. The illustrations help move the plot along and give emotions to
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the words and actions.
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LibraryThing member JBD1
An enjoyable and nicely-illustrated story about when it's okay to break the rules. Even in the library.
LibraryThing member annikasmith
The genre of this book was fantasy. It is a good example of this genre because it is a believable plot within the context of the book, but the plot revolves around a lion who visits the library and likes to help out.
Art Media: acrylic and pencil
Appropriate Age: Primary
LibraryThing member kayceel
Charming illustrations and a sweet story make it a keeper!
LibraryThing member kdemott
I usually love picture books about the library but the stereotypical grouchy librarian and the card catalog bothered me.
LibraryThing member tati4books
A library that gets visited by a lion one day and since there are no rules against lions, the lion gets to stay as long as he is quiet and follow the rules. The lion gets back every day for story time and helps everybody out until one day when an accident happens and he needs to get help. For that
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he roars too loudly breaking a rule. But because everyone loved him so much they manage to tell him it is ok to break a rule sometimes, when there is something more important going on, even at the library.
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LibraryThing member SJKessel
Published in 2006, this light picturebook documents the experience of a lion when he wanders into a library. Since he's not a rulebreaker, the lion is allowed to wander the library, enjoy story hour and help out around the building.

The kind and helpful lion is very child-like. It checks out all
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aspects of the library (including the out-dated card catalog) and throws a tantrum when story hour comes to an end. He even has traits of Lassie the dog when an emergency arises (No, nobody fall down a well).

The illustrator, Kevin Hawkes, lends very classic looking drawings (with some multicultural representation) to the mix.

My one over all complaint (despite the fact that it contributes to the old school feel of the book) is the treatment of the librarians. They have that stereotypical frumpy, past-their-prime, nerdy vibes to them. Tres un-chic.

With a Chris Van Allsburg Jumanji feel, this book could prompt students to reexamine the ordinary space of a library, and create illustrations of various creatures in the building and play with a lot of fun "What if..." scenarios. Since Library Lion does address some of the common rules in libraries across the country, a teacher could share this story before a class's first trip to the public library or even a school's media center. For students who have already spent a great deal of time in libraries, a teacher or parent could urge them to compare their school or hometown library to the one depicted in the book.

In general, this book lends itself to discussion of rules and what to do in emergencies.

Among my favorite quotes were "One day, a lion came to the library."

"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."

"If he promises to be quiet, can [the lion] come back for story hour tomorrow?"

For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com.
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LibraryThing member clstone
'Library Lion' by Michelle Knudsen is a heart warming story of a lion that visits the library. Miss Merriweather, the librarian is very strict in the library and enforces all the rules. When the lion visits the library, Miss Merriweather isn't sure what to do as there are no rules for lions in the
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library. It turns out that the lion is at home quite well in the library and that his paws are quiet on the floor. The lion does much good in the library, even showing Miss Merriweather that some rules can be broken for good reason. I love this story and would read it to any age elementary students.
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LibraryThing member elkiedee
A lovely story of how an unusual visitor to the library becomes a welcome friend and volunteer. Also a lovely little story about how to behave. The lion first comes to the library to hear stories but becomes hooked, and likes to come back regularly. He starts to help out with various tasks and earn
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the appreciation of the kids and staff at the library. But one day he breaks the rule about not roaring in the library.

It also has lovely illustrations and noises that all the family can join in.

Recommended.
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LibraryThing member clstone
Ms. Merriweather, the head librarian, is suprised to see a lion walk into the library one day. Although the lion is not disruptive, Ms. Merriweather must decide whether the library's rules are being broken or if the lion should be allowed to take part in story time. In the end, the lion and Ms.
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Merriweather become friends and the lion is a regular at the library.
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LibraryThing member Pusparani
“Library Lion” is beautifully written by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.
Through their collaboration, Michelle Knudsen and Kevin Hawkes bring joy, enthusiasm, love, and also message to obey rules in a library for the readers. This is a story about a lion that visits the
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library and turns into good things and also trouble as he is trying to follow the rules and help his librarian friend. In the beginning, the lion’s presence in the library scares visitors including children and the librarians. But then, he may come to the library if only he obey the rules; no running and be quiet. Children and adults, even the librarians love him because he is nice, not disrupting, and also helpful to librarians. Unfortunately, one day he breaks the rules and sadly leaves the library because he roams very loud in the library. However, he breaks it because he needs to help his librarian friend who falls when trying to take books from a shelf.

”Library Lion” is very appealing to children’s heart, especially to have a lion around library and spend time together with children in story times. The illustrations are done in acrylic and pencil. Kevin portrays the lion in a pleasant appearance. I like the way the lion looks. He looks friendly, very nice, calm, and most importantly understand the rules in the library. Some texts are in frames, some are blending together in a single page of images. The book presentation seems realistic, especially the library situation, the arrangements of the books, how the storytime’s corner looks like, how people and the librarian’s expression look. Every aspect in this book invites readers to visit their sweet memories and experience in a library.
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LibraryThing member carriedold
Great to promote reading and libraries, as well as following rules.
LibraryThing member JenJ.
I wasn't sure that I would care for this, but it pulled be right in. The repeated "No running!" made me laugh every time and the concept of a tame lion wandering a library appeals to my sense of whimsy. I think the lesson about rules in the library is very apt as well. I'll be trying this for a
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storytime in August about using the library - we'll see how well it works as a read-aloud.
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LibraryThing member sprovost
Library Lion tells the story of a lion who visits the library one day. Miss Merriweather is not sure what do when the lion enters the library because there are no rules about lions not being allowed in the library. Miss Merriweather is very concerned about the library rules always being followed.
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Although lion roars once while he's in the library, he's told its against the rules and he no longer roars. The library then discovers that its very useful to have the lion around. One day, an emergency arises and lion seeks help the only way he knows how... by roaring! When Mr. McBee tells him that he must leave the library because he broke the rules, he sadly left. It wasn't until after Mr. McBee discovered the reason for the roar that he apologized to the lion and lion returned to the library.
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LibraryThing member mopbroek07
Age: Primary

This book is a good example of modern fantasy because a lion would not be a safe and active participant in the library in real life. While the author uses the library setting and the people involved to create a world that feels real, the lion makes it a fantasy.
Mr. McBee is a good
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example of a dynamic character. At the beginning of the book he does not like having the lion in the library, but at the end of the story he seeks out the lion to bring him back into the library. The author makes this development very believable by using an emergency in the library as a learning experience for Mr. McBee, which triggers his change in opinion.
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LibraryThing member natasha.bevis
The Library Lion is an excellent source to be used in the classroom. It is a perfect example of modern fantasy because not only does the story have a lion reading in the library, following the rules in the library, having a human characteristics, but the author has made all these things believable
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as well by having all the students in the library interacting with the lion. The author chooses not to go to far by giving the main character, the lion a voice, but stays within the "believable realm" of imagination. Knudsen does a unique job in having the reader at first be scared and curious at why a lion would be in the library to liking and understanding the lion's need and desire to belong in the library.
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LibraryThing member nlevanen09
Genre: This is a great example of fantasy because the lion enjoys reading, story time and helping the children get books from the top shelves. These are things that do not take place in real life but in the story they are the best part of going to the library from some students.
Stars for
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Setting
Age: Primary and Intermediate
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LibraryThing member EmilyWilhite
Review: This book is an excellent example of fantasy because it combines the world as we know it with fantasy. It tells the story of a lion who starts visiting a library but runs into trouble when he is asked to follow the rules.
Level: Primary, intermediate
LibraryThing member GayWard
This is a favorite. First discovered at St. Hilda's in Australia.
LibraryThing member CrystalRushton
Library Lion is the heartwarming tale of a lion that loves reading and going to the library. The Library Lion is quite does not disturb the other people in the library and is actually quite helpful--he provides a place for the children to lean against, he dusts books, etc. Everyone loves the
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Library Lion, except the mean librarian, Mr. McBee.
I would recommend this book for early elementary students, particularly those animal lovers. This book is great to give to present to all students, because it depicts a strong, cool Lion that loves to read and be at the library (a positive influence all students could follow).
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LibraryThing member MollyBeaumont
Summary: A lion walks into a library one day and people stare and question him but there are no rules against lions being in a library. He minds his manners and helps out the children and the librarian at the library and is told to not roar in the library. One day, the lion roars because the
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librarian needs help and so they make an exception for the lion becuase he was helping someone out.
Genre: Fantasy because a lion walks into a library and wants to be apart of everything going on. He doesn't eat anybody, he listens to stories, he helps dust the shelves, and licks the envelopes. This is not something that a lion would do so this book is considered fantasy.
Setting: The author has the setting at the library becuase there are many rules at a library. Because a lion can roar loud, the perfect setting for a lion to be where he can't roar is the library becuase libraries are most often quiet. The setting allows the reader to realize that the rules are to be quiet because people are trying to read.
Media: Acrylic and pencil
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Awards

Georgia Children's Book Award (Finalist — Picturebook — 2009)
Monarch Award (Nominee — 2009)
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Children's Picture — 2008)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades K-2 — 2008)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades K-3 — 2009)
Indies Choice Book Award (Honor Book — 2007)
Chickadee Award (Nominee — 2008)
Blue Hen Book Award (Winner — Picture Book — 2008)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Primary — 2009)
Treasure State Award (Nominee — 2009)
Flicker Tale Award (Nominee — Picture Books — 2008)
Sakura Medal (Picture Books — 2008)
Ladybug Picture Book Award (Nominee — 2007)
South Carolina Book Awards (Nominee — Picture Book Award — 2009)
Irma Black Award (Contender — 2007)

Language

Original publication date

2006

Physical description

30 cm

ISBN

0763622621 / 9780763622626

Barcode

93
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