No roaring allowed. That's the only stipulation Miss Merriweather the librarian places on her unusual new visitor at storytime: a lion. He turns out to be a model patron, "doing things without being asked. He dusted the encyclopedias. He licked the envelopes." But a thorny dilemma arises when Miss Merriweather falls and injures her arm: Should the lion break the rules and roar for help? Delicate, expressive pictures pair well with the understated humor of the text-which, for all its fun, may spark discussions about when it's okay to break the rules. For kids who love forays to the library, this is a must-read. (Ages 4 to 6)
Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2006
Publishers Weekly
The library's no place for a real live lion. But what if it was a book-loving beast that followed all the library rules, enforced by head librarian Miss Merriweather? Well, that's a different story the fun, fantastical tale in Knudsen's entertaining picture book. Library patrons and staff are perplexed and a bit frightened when a lion arrives in the local library, checking out the collection, napping in the children's corner and making himself at home for story hour. But Miss Merriweather doesn't see any reason to expel this mane attraction if he abides by her rules (e.g., "No running!"; "If you cannot be quiet, you will have to leave [the library]"). Soon the furry fellow befriends nearly everyone in the place, and even becomes Miss Merriweather's helpful assistant. One day, Miss Merriweather is in trouble. Lassie-like, the lion gets her some help, and then banishes himself from the place for breaking the rules (he unquietly roars in order to get the attention of one of the librarian's colleagues). Happily, this heroic literary lion doesn't stay away for long. Knudsen's gentle tale of a revered yet welcoming community destination will ring true for many readers. Hawkes's (Weslandia) evocative, soft-hued acrylic-and-pencil illustrations have a timeless feel, depicting a cozy book-filled haven that any story fan would love to visit, rules and all. Ages 4-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 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, 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 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Knudsen and Hawkes pick a perfect setting to express the idea that breaking rules can sometimes be a good thing. When a lion wanders into a small town public library the Head Librarian, Miss Merriweather, brushes off the protestations of her realistically officious colleague Mr. McBee and allows it to stay-so long as it keeps quiet, doesn't run and makes itself useful cleaning books and licking envelopes while waiting for storytime to begin. Anxious-looking patrons of all ages quickly become accepting ones in Hawkes's soft toned watercolors, and if Miss Merriweather's hair and dress seem a bit stereotypical, occasional CRT monitors balance glimpses of rubber date stamps and a card catalog in his gracious, old style interiors. When Miss Merriweather takes a fall, the lion roars to attract help, then slinks out in shame-but McBee redeems himself by bustling out into the rain to inform the offender that Exceptions to the Rules are sometimes allowed. Consider this a less prescriptive alternative to Eric A. Kimmel's I Took My Frog to the Library (1990), illustrated by Blanche Sims-and it doesn't hurt that the maned visitor is as huge and friendly looking as the one in James Daugherty's classic Andy and the Lion. (Picture book. 6-8)
From the Publisher
Proves that every now and then you have to break the rules.
—New York Times Book Review
This winsome pairing of text and illustration is a natural for storytime and a first purchase for every collection.
—School Library Journal, starred review
Knudsen's gentle tale of a revered yet welcoming community destination will ring true for many readers. Hawkes's (Weslandia) evocative, soft-hued acrylic-and-pencil illustrations have a timeless feel, depicting a cozy book-filled haven that any story fan would love to visit, rules and all.
—Publishers Weekly
Knudsen and Hawkes pick a perfect setting to express the idea that breaking rules can sometimes be a good thing.
—Kirkus Reviews
Appealing. . . . Children will easily see themselves in the wild lion, who yearns to explore and enjoy the library but worries about the constraining rules.
—Booklist
A beautiful book that is sure to be shared and wept over again and again.
—The Bloomsbury Review
A picture book treat for any library lover.
—Nancy Pearl Book Reviews, KUOW Radio “The Beat"
Sweetly celebrating all things bookish and guaranteed to tickle young readers’ funny bones.
—Child
Kevin Hawkes’ illustrations are a brilliant fit, rendering the lion’s softness and a modern library seen from a child’s eye level.
—Chicago Tribune
There are lessons here about making assumptions, breaking rules and taking care of friends.
—San Francisco Chronicle
The happy ending will leave a smile on children’s faces whether they read it themselves or hear it as a read-aloud.
—Kansas City Star
The delights of a small-town library come to life in this charming tale.
—Star-Ledger
An old-fashioned, heart-warming storybook.
—Louisville Courier-Journal
Written and illustrated in the orderly style of mid-20th century classics such as Andy and the Lion, the story’s special charm is in the characters.
—Times-Picayune
With masterful subtleness, [Hawkes] evokes emotions and movement around this magnificent furry lion.
—Sacramento Bee
If you can buy only one book this is the one.
—Daily Herald, featured in "Good Reads for Kids"
A very gentle book with a good word to say about breaking the rules.
—Detroit Free Press
Graceful details add to the retro feel of this utterly delightful book. Curl up at your favorite library with this winner of a tale!
—BookPage
This beautifully illustrated story will be a joy to read over and over again with your little cubs at bedtime.
—Houston Family Magazine
This is a book parent and child will enjoy again and again.
—About Family Magazine
JULY 2008 - AudioFile
No roaring allowed! Well, sometimes rules need to be altered if there’s a very good reason! Normalcy prevails at Knudsen’s Library--story hours with attentive youngsters, patrons browsing the stacks and using computers, librarians providing assistance. But then a lion walks through the door. What’s normal about that, and how will Miss Merriweather handle the personal and personnel problems that arise? Christine Marshall has the calmness of a lion tamer and a librarian. She lets the subtleties of the plot and the humor speak for themselves. Her quiet tone gives way to dramatic punch when the lion shows up; her pacing heightens the pleasure in each twist of the story. Poring over Kevin Hawkes’s illustrations while listening brings additional pleasure. A.R. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine
