Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Library Lion
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 7
Candlewick Press, 2006 ISBN: 978-0763622626
One day a lion walks into the public library. No one quite knows what to do about this most extraordinary situation. Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, decides that since the lion is not breaking any of the library rules, it may stay. At story hour the lion sits quietly and listens to each story but when the hour is over he starts to roar. This Miss Merriweather cannot allow and it seems likely that the lion will have to leave until a little girl asks if the lion can come back to the story hour the next day if he promises to be quiet. Miss Merriweather agrees to this and the lion stops roaring
The lion soon becomes a fixture at the library. Every day he not only comes for story hour but he also helps out by dusting shelves, licking stamps, and helping children to reach hard-to-get-to books on high shelves. Then one day the lion helps Miss Merriweather in a most unexpected way but he also breaks the library rules and because of this he leaves the library and does not come back. Everyone at the library misses the lion dreadfully and they all wish he would come back but where is he?
This wonderful book is not only a celebration of libraries but it also serves as a reminder that there are times when rules should, or even need, to be broken. Soft and warm illustrations are beautifully paired with a charming story which book lovers of all ages will enjoy.
