Library Lion

Michelle , Knudsen .(Author)
Kevin, Hawkes (Illustrator)
Library Lion
Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2006.

A Library is against the rules! Rules, Library rules, helpfulness, breaking rules, and how to respond to an emergency are covered in this book as Lion learns about rules and when they can be broken.

Appropriate Age/Grade Level: 1st - 4th Grade. (with adaption)

Evaluation Criteria
1. Content
The Library Lion learns how to behave in the library, and then he learns when and why it is ok to sometimes break rules, even in the library. This books introduces children to library vocabulary and expected behaviors.

2. Illustrations
The cover of the book is immediately engaging, with a lion surrounded by children an books. The cover draws in the imagination. Kevin Hawkes did a fabulous job with the subdues toned illustrations that truly project empathy as the the story follows the illustrations.

3. Theme
As Lion learns the rules of the library he is faced with a difficult decision; to break a rule or not. He then must accept the consequences of his choice. The theme of the story is library use and expected behavior, and when if ever it is ok to break rules.

Personal Reaction
Michele Knudsen does a wonderful job of expressing rules and why an how sometimes we must break them. The characters are endearing in each his own way an the book reads very well aloud. The illustration are very calm, with subdues colors an soft feel. I would have liked to seen a bit more brighter illustration, as I at first sight thought the book was far older then it is due to the type of illustrations. Overall, this book is one I read aloud an will continue to for the valuable lessons expressed through warm characters.

Discussion questions
1.Why did Lion break the rules?
2.Can you think of a time it might be ok to break a rule?
3. At the end of the story, what happens to Lion?