The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Pinkney, Jerry. The Lion and the Mouse. New York: Little, Brown, and Co. Books for Young Readers, 2009.

2. PLOT SUMMARY:
This is a simple but powerful wordless book. It is relevant to children in that even a simple little mouse can make a difference in a huge way. The setting of this particular story is in the African Serengeti.
A little mouse is found jumping on a lion’s back. When the lion awakes he becomes upset at the little mouse. The mouse asks for forgiveness and pleads with the lion to let him go. The mouse tells the lion his kind deed will be returned to him. The angry lion thinks about it and allows him to leave. One day the lion is captured and begins to roar very loudly. The little mouse hears him and comes to his rescue. In the end the lion and the mouse become friends.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The theme of this Aesop fable is one of friendship. One good turn deserves another. Children can believe that in this world(jungle) even they can make a difference in someone’s(Lion) life. It gives children a sense of belonging and makes their life meaningful.
Mr. Pickney’s  only words in his book are “grr” and “putt-putt” of the jeep and the “scratch” of the mouse when freeing the lion. It helps children understand that sounds can be put into words(onomatopoeia) which is the understanding and beginning of good writers. He illustrates the story in beautiful watercolors that are vivid and detailed. His sense of repetition, and use of animals makes it a great book for children
REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
*2010 Caldecott Medal Winner
*Randolph Caldecott Medal
*Best Illustrated Book of 2009

4. CONNECTIONS:
Read, explore and sequence a fable.

1. A lion's tale
   • Open the website Aesop's Fableshttp://www.umass.edu/aesop/fables.php.
   • Find The Lion and the Mouse in the index and select the traditional version.
   • Look at the pictures and predict who, where, when and what the fable may be about.
   • Discuss and compare the fable's characters (e.g. lion big, powerful, hunter; mouse little, weak, prey).
   • Read the fable.
   • Discuss the main events, problems, solutions and moral of the fable.
   • Think about other possible morals for the story and make a note of your ideas (e.g. be kind to one another).
2. Which came first, the lion or the mouse?
   • Complete the Activity sheet, The lion and the mousehttp://www.learningplace.com.au/sc/online/eng_2/EY2_07_ACT_LionMouse.pdf.
     • Read the sentence beginnings.
     • Cut out the sentence beginnings and place in order.
     • Read the sentence endings.
     • Cut out the sentence endings and match them to the sentence beginnings.
     • Glue the completed sentences on the second page.
   • Read the completed work for understanding.
   • Discuss how the endings have improved the fable.