Library Lion

1)Bibliography
Knudsen, Michelle. 2006. Library Lion. Cambridge, MS. ISBN 0763622621.

2) Plot Summary
One day a lion walked into Miss Merriweather's library. Mr. McBee was very concerned, but it did not bother Miss Merriweather as long as the lion was not breaking any of the rules. The lion cruised around the library until he found a group of kids at story time. He loved story time. He listened intently to all of the stories and after the last one was read, he got very upset and roared as loud as he could. Miss Merriweather explained that if he broke the rules by not being quiet he could not come back to the library. The kids quite enjoyed being in the company of a lion and begged Miss Merriweather to let him come back. The next day the lion came back and helped with the duties of the librarian by dusting encyclopedias, licking envelopes, and helping kids reach books on the top shelf. He became an integral part of the library and Miss Merriweather's day. Until one day, Miss Merriweather was standing on a stool putting away books, and she fell and was hurt very badly. The lion went to Mr. McBee for help and roared very loudly, however since he broke the rules he knew he could never come back to the library. After Miss Merriweather recovered her and all of the children were very upset at the absence of the lion. Mr. McBee decided to take matters in his own hand to search for the lion and ask him to come back. Miss Merriweather and the children were overjoyed to see the lion and Miss Merriweather explained that in certain situations it was okay to break the rules in the library.

3) Critical Analysis
Michele Knudson manages to create the typical sterotype of a librarian in Library Lion. She is not neccessarily concerned about who her patrons are as long as they are following all of the library rules. One day when Mr. McBee panics over a lion entering the library, Miss Merriweather is unphased as long as he is not breaking any of the rules. Knudsen creates believable yet highly stereotypical characters. Through the eyes of the librarian, a lion, and young children we see how a typical library is run. We learn that it isn't about who you are, and the rules are meant to be followed however, in certain cases it is okay to break the rules. Knudsen manages to tell a lovable story, with an important message to all of its readers.

The illustrator, Kevin Hawkes, draws a delightful story for all of its readers. His drawings look like something out of a coloring book with soft colors, and smiling faces. The artwork is simple and yet appeals nicely to the text. However, compared to some other children's books I would say the artwork is rather blaise. It lacks eye popping colors, and attention grabbing art.

4) Review Excerpts
School Library Journal 2006
"The lordly, lovable lion is a masterful mix–regal beast and furry friend–and the many human characters are drawn with animation and emotion."

Booklist 2006
"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."

5) Connections
*Use with any age students as a great story time lesson about rules in the library.
* Great story to learn about morals to a story.
Other books by Michelle Knudsen include Fish and Frog: Brand New Readers, and Happy Easter!
*