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Library Lion Hardcover – Picture Book, July 25, 2006

by Michelle Knudsen (Author), Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 800 ratings
Teachers' pick
See all formats and editions
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An affectionate storybook tribute to that truly wonderful place: the library.

Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. No running allowed. And you must be quiet. But when a lion comes to the library one day, no one is sure what to do. There aren't any rules about lions in the library. And, as it turns out, this lion seems very well suited to library visiting. His big feet are quiet on the library floor. He makes a comfy backrest for the children at story hour. And he never roars in the library, at least not anymore. But when something terrible happens, the lion quickly comes to the rescue in the only way he knows how. Michelle Knudsen's disarming story, illustrated by the matchless Kevin Hawkes in an expressive timeless style, will win over even the most ardent of rule keepers.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    48 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    470L
  6. Dimensions
    10.19 x 0.47 x 11.79 inches
  7. Publisher
    Candlewick
  8. Publication date
    July 25, 2006
  9. ISBN-10
    0763622621
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0763622626
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

read aloud; public library; lion; cats; reading; adventure; animals; big cats
read aloud; public library; lion; cats; reading; adventure; animals; big cats

"A beautiful book that is sure to be shared and wept over again and again."

— The Bloomsbury Review

read aloud; public library; lion; cats; reading; adventure; animals; big cats

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 2–Miss Merriweather, head librarian and decorum-keeper, first meets Lion when he saunters past his stone counterparts and into the stacks. Scowling circulation assistant Mr. McBee seems intent on having the enormous cat ejected, but his boss declares that as long as he breaks no rules, he is welcome. The beast does misbehave though, roaring loud displeasure when storytime ends. At Miss Merriweather's reprimand, the contrite-looking lion promises to reform. In fact, he becomes something of a fixture in the building, dusting with his tail, licking envelopes, and serving as a stepstool for small patrons. Everyone appreciates him–except Mr. McBee. When Lion lets out another tremendous RAAAHHHRRR!, the man bursts into Miss Merriweather's office to snitch–and there he finds her in distress, having fallen from a stool and broken her arm. Lion, à la Lassie, has saved the day, but he is so chagrined by his own rule-breaking behavior that he doesn't return to the library. People miss him. Even Mr. McBee. A feel-good ending and a reminder that Sometimes, there is a good reason to break the rules bring the story to its most-satisfactory conclusion. Hawkes's deft acrylic-and-pencil pictures have appeal for generations of library lovers. They are rich with expression, movement, and detail. The lordly, lovable lion is a masterful mix–regal beast and furry friend–and the many human characters are drawn with animation and emotion. This winsome pairing of text and illustration is a natural for storytime and a first purchase for every collection.–Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. This story's appealing premise is clear in the first sentence: "One day, a lion came to the library." There's the expected uproar as the lion pads through the stacks, but librarian Miss Merriweather only asks: "Is he breaking any rules?" The lion is not, and so he is allowed to stay. He makes himself useful and enjoys story hour until Miss Merriweather falls and breaks her arm. The lion roars for help, but his noise prompts a scolding from an uptight, oblivious staff member. The story falters a bit as it explores messages about rules and exceptions in a way that feels both purposeful and a bit convoluted. The warm friendships will easily draw interest, though, as will the handsome, nostalgic pencil-and-acrylic illustrations. Children will easily see themselves in the wild lion, which yearns to explore and enjoy the library but worries about the constraining rules. A fine partner for other library tales, such as Judy Sierra's Wild about Books (2004) and Lauren Child's But Excuse Me That Is My Book (2006). Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick; Illustrated edition (July 25, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0763622621
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0763622626
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 470L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.35 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.19 x 0.47 x 11.79 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 800 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Michelle Knudsen

    Michelle Knudsen

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    Michelle Knudsen is a New York Times best-selling author of more than 45 books for young readers, including board books, picture books, early readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. Her best-known book to date is the award-winning picture book Library Lion, which has been translated into fourteen languages, is currently being performed as a musical stage production in Israel and South Africa, and was selected by Time Magazine as one of the Best 100 Children's Books of All Time. She is also the author of the Trelian trilogy of fantasy novels (The Dragon of Trelian, The Princess of Trelian, and The Mage of Trelian) and the young adult novel Evil Librarian, which was awarded the 2015 Sid Fleischman Award for Humor. Her most recent picture book is Marilyn's Monster (Candlewick, March 2015), illustrated by the wonderful Matt Phelan. Next up is the YA sequel REVENGE OF THE EVIL LIBRARIAN, coming on Valentine's Day 2017. Michelle also works as a freelance editor and writing teacher, and is a member of the Writing for Young People MFA faculty at Lesley University. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Kevin Hawkes

    Kevin Hawkes

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Kevin Hawkes (1959) was born in Sherman, TX to a creative family. There was a lot of music in his house, books, and homemade projects like toothpick constructions, paper mache' pinatas, and wooden models. Kevin moved a lot when he was little and lived in Europe and many parts of the United States. In school, he was that quiet kid who liked to read. He also drew a lot. He liked to draw space ships, race cars, castles, and monsters. He didn’t like to draw cats or bicycles. Kevin studied illustration at Utah State University in Logan, UT and begin his publishing career in Boston. He has written and or illustrated over 50 picture and chapter books including Library Lion, a New York Times Bestseller. Kevin has won numerous awards for his illustrations including the Kate Greenaway Metal, National Jewish Book Award, Boston Globe Horn Book Honor Award, Lupine Award and the Mazza Medellion for Excellence. He lives in Southern Maine.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
800 global ratings
My absolute favorite children's book
5 Stars
My absolute favorite children's book
"The Library Lion" by Michelle Knudsen holds a special place in my heart as my absolute favorite children's book. This enchanting story beautifully weaves together themes of friendship, courage, and the transformative power of libraries. 🦁 📚The tale revolves around a lion who becomes an unexpected visitor at the library, challenging the norms of this quiet sanctuary. As a parent, I appreciate how the narrative encourages curiosity and teaches children the importance of breaking barriers for the sake of knowledge and connection.What elevates my experience with "The Library Lion" is the captivating rendition by Mindy Sterling in the YouTube video. Her expressive and warm narration brings the characters to life, making story time an engaging and immersive experience for both children and parents.The illustrations by Kevin Hawkes are vibrant and expressive, complementing the narrative beautifully.In essence, "The Library Lion" has become a cherished gem in our collection, fostering a love for literature and reinforcing the idea that sometimes breaking the rules can lead to unexpected and heartwarming friendships. 💎
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Top reviews from the United States

Gizem Aktan
5.0 out of 5 stars My absolute favorite children's book
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
"The Library Lion" by Michelle Knudsen holds a special place in my heart as my absolute favorite children's book. This enchanting story beautifully weaves together themes of friendship, courage, and the transformative power of libraries. 🦁 📚

The tale revolves around a lion who becomes an unexpected visitor at the library, challenging the norms of this quiet sanctuary. As a parent, I appreciate how the narrative encourages curiosity and teaches children the importance of breaking barriers for the sake of knowledge and connection.

What elevates my experience with "The Library Lion" is the captivating rendition by Mindy Sterling in the YouTube video. Her expressive and warm narration brings the characters to life, making story time an engaging and immersive experience for both children and parents.

The illustrations by Kevin Hawkes are vibrant and expressive, complementing the narrative beautifully.

In essence, "The Library Lion" has become a cherished gem in our collection, fostering a love for literature and reinforcing the idea that sometimes breaking the rules can lead to unexpected and heartwarming friendships. 💎
Customer image
Gizem Aktan
5.0 out of 5 stars My absolute favorite children's book
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
"The Library Lion" by Michelle Knudsen holds a special place in my heart as my absolute favorite children's book. This enchanting story beautifully weaves together themes of friendship, courage, and the transformative power of libraries. 🦁 📚

The tale revolves around a lion who becomes an unexpected visitor at the library, challenging the norms of this quiet sanctuary. As a parent, I appreciate how the narrative encourages curiosity and teaches children the importance of breaking barriers for the sake of knowledge and connection.

What elevates my experience with "The Library Lion" is the captivating rendition by Mindy Sterling in the YouTube video. Her expressive and warm narration brings the characters to life, making story time an engaging and immersive experience for both children and parents.

The illustrations by Kevin Hawkes are vibrant and expressive, complementing the narrative beautifully.

In essence, "The Library Lion" has become a cherished gem in our collection, fostering a love for literature and reinforcing the idea that sometimes breaking the rules can lead to unexpected and heartwarming friendships. 💎
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Kristofer J Feeko
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2024
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Great book. Nice illustrations. Very good message.
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Jeffrey T. Munson
5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes, Its Ok To Break The Rules
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2009
Verified Purchase
One day, a lion wandered into Miss Merriweather's library. He began sniffing around and soon found the story hour corner, where he proceeded to sit and listen to the story along with the children. He liked listening to the story, but he let out a loud roar when it was finished. This lead to a reprimand about no loud noises in the library. The next day, the lion was back and was more well-behaved. Soon, the lion had become a sort of library mascot, helping with such things as dusting the encyclopedias, licking envelopes, and serving as a pillow for the children during story time. All of this was to the dismay of circulation desk attendant Mr. McBee, who felt that the library was no place for a lion.

Later on, Miss Merriweather was shelving books with the lion when she slipped off of her stool and fell to the ground. The lion tried to help, but couldn't figure out what was wrong. He ran to Mr.McBee's office and roared as loud as he could to get his attention. Instead of seeing what was wrong, he scolded the lion and sent him out of the library. Mr. McBee went to Miss Merriweather's office to find her laying on the floor. Miss Merriweather got her arm fixed by the doctor, but the lion, dejected by Mr. McBee's yelling, once again left the library. Miss Merriweather became sad that the lion had stopped coming again. Mr. McBee sensed Miss Merriweather's sadness and went looking for the lion. He explained to the lion that he still shouldn't roar in the library except in case of an emergency. Happily, the lion came back to the library and everyone, including Mr. McBee, was happy that he did.

My daughter received this book as a Christmas gift and she loves it. The pictures are bright and detailed, and the story is interesting. Being a librarian myself, I can only imagine what I would think if a lion walked through my door. I only hope that if one did, he would be as nice and helpful as the one in this story.

I give this book my highest recommendation. It's easy to see why it has won various children's book awards. The message that it carries is a good one, too; sometimes, it is ok to break the rules.
12 people found this helpful
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K. Rodriguez
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best for kids - and so fun to read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2023
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We love this book for our family and we love to give it to others! It's always a hit!
One person found this helpful
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Z Hayes
5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, the pleasures of the library!
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2011
Verified Purchase
A lion wanders into a public library one day, and makes itself at home. When the lion displays some undesirable behavior, he is quickly reprimanded by the head librarian, Miss Merriweather. Soon, the now well-behaved lion forms a close bond with Miss Merriweather, helping her with her daily rituals of tidying the shelves, licking envelopes, etc. All is well, until an accident renders Miss Merriweather immobile and in need of help. Lion tries to get help, but grouchy Mr. McBee ignores him, and lion does the only thing he knows, "Roar!" which breaks one of the cardinal rules in the library. What will become of lion?

Well, the story moves along with some sad and poignant moments before a happy resolution. It is a gently told story of friendship, the joys of being in a library among books and friends, and of learning about rules. This is a charming tale that will appeal to readers of all ages, and the softly-tinted illustrations are a delight in themselves.
One person found this helpful
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M. Klaer
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely children's book
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
I read this many times to my grandchildren from age 4-7. They request it. So- I bought this as a gift for my friends to read to their grandkids. I like this author, Michelle Knudsen.
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C. Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect gift for elementary school teacher, classroom, or the school library
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
I love this book and cry at the end every time I read it because it is so touching and beautiful. I read it to all my kids when they were younger and I give it as a present often. This year we gave a copy to my daughter's teacher for her class and she wrote to me "Thank you does not do justice to how my heart feels. I love this book so much. I read it every year to my class to teach empathy, friendship, and second chances." She is exactly right.
One person found this helpful
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Catherine
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun to Read!
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2022
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Love this book!! I've been reading it to my daughter since she was born and love that it'll still be engaging when she is older. Just a fantastic story with a rule breaking moral.
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Top reviews from other countries

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K. McC
5.0 out of 5 stars Lion, library and Important lesson
Reviewed in Canada on May 13, 2023
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Wonderful book to read to a child who loves books.
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Sooshi
5.0 out of 5 stars Schöne Geschichte mit guter Message
Reviewed in Germany on September 9, 2020
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Die Message des Buches, auch mal Regeln zu brechen, ist liebevoll dargestellt und gefällt mir sehr gut. Ich hatte einige Rezensionen, die sehr emotional waren belächelt und habe plötzlich selbst am Ende des Buches geweint. Man schließt den Löwen doch sehr ins Herz. Meine Tochter (4) kann jedoch nicht ertragen, dass er der Bibliothek verwiesen wird und will es deswegen leider nicht mehr lesen.
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Elena
5.0 out of 5 stars Divertido y de longitud la justa
Reviewed in Spain on March 13, 2018
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Genial como cuento para ir a dormir. Tiene una longitud justa para leer a una niña de tres años. La historia es sorprendente y tierna. A mi hija le encanta!
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chiara ardito
5.0 out of 5 stars bellissimo libro
Reviewed in Italy on January 26, 2018
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bello fuori e bello dentro, questo libro fa impazzire me e spero tanto il bimbo a cui lo regalero' =)
ha una bella copertina cartonata, bellissime illustrazioni, arrivato puntualissimo in una confezione di cartone molto robusta che lo protegge da qualsiasi urto
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KC Perth
5.0 out of 5 stars Libray Lion ROARS
Reviewed in Australia on March 4, 2021
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This book is a very beautiful and although Libraries are no longer kept the quiet places as they once were, you are able to smile when reading this book with younger members of the family. The message behind the story is wonderful, acceptance helpfulness and inclusiveness
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