If You See a Lion

These type of children’s are very good to read with a bit of a rhythm, as you can pace it to the rhymes of each line. My son was engaged at first with this story, but seemed to drift away in his concentration as the story wore on.

Personally I thought it was a good story about finding the lion, and reminded me a little of “There was an old lady who swallowed a fly” that I used to have read to me when I was young. The artwork in the book was good, and clearly illustrated what the author was trying to convey.

Would recommend for reading to children for bedtime as very suitable length of story.

This review is based on a free digital ARC copy provided by NetGalley. My views are provided based on the book content only

Beautiful illustrations with lots of detail children will enjoy spotting and talking about. Interesting range of phrases for them to predict the final rhyming word, ‘If you see a lion, don’t forget to ....’. Dark humour of demise of various characters, including the brave rabbit being will appeal too, especially as everything is reassuringly sorted out in the end.
Reading aloud, I thought the rhythm of the words was a little difficult to find at first, it seems to find its feet after the first couple of pages, but this didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the story which has a lovely message of acceptance.
Overall, a great addition to any Key Stage One classroom, with storybook themes to spot and explore as well as the consequences of good and bad choices, and a positive message of friendship and acceptance.

Once upon a time there was a lion who wanted to be fierce and scary. He was playing a part and trying to be what he thought everyone expected him to be. In the end, he realises that he can be himself and be kind (rather than eating everyone). With rhyme and onomatopoeia, this is a great book to read aloud. Children will enjoy spotting all the different characters and thinking about which words they would use to describe themselves.

This is such a lovely book for the little ones. I loved the illustrations and the the activities like spotting the lion, shrieking etc. It has such a lovely message too!

Fantastic childrens book that kept my daughter's attention throughout, and made her literally giggle out loud.
Love the fact it was a rabbit that stood up to the lion and then they all became friends.
The illustrations were colourful and easy to understand too.

Once upon a time, there was a story in this book… But a lion ate it all.

This is the humorous story of a lion who prides himself on being 'king' and living up to typical lion-like behaviour. However, an unlikely soul stands up to him and shows that he can be 'like the lion in his heart' instead of eating everything in sight!

One of the most-requested songs in the Nursery group-time chart in the Early Years settings I've worked in is the 'extended version' of 'Row, Row, Row your boat.' Additional verses are added such as, 'If you see a crocodile, don't forget to scream,' 'If you see a polar bear, don't forget to shiver' and of course, 'If you see a lion, don't forget to ROAR!' This book uses the repeated 'If you see a lion, don't forget to...' and children have the opportunity to YELL, SHRIEK and of course...ROAR! Which of course, goes down a storm in nursery and reception!

Pirates and penguins have been scoffed, dinosaurs and dragons have been devoured and trolls and sprites have been swallowed and guess what...? I think we might be next!

But wielding his carrot like a sword, bold little rabbit (who has been popping up on every page trying to warn us) takes on the lion.

I won't spoil the surprise of exactly how this brave young rabbit, like a knight in furry armour frees his friends but it's one of those 'big-moment-in-the-book -when-every-nursery-child-shouts-one-word-at the-top-of-their-voice-until-they-look-like-they're-going-to-burst' kind of moments.

There is also lots of scope to use this book in Key Stage 1 exploring the messages in the story on a deeper level.

I know I'd have lots of fun reading this in class and I'm sure you would too,
But remember, if you see a lion...what are you going to do...?

Thank you to Netgalley and Quatro Publishing group for providing me a digital ARC of ths wonderful book to review.

I loved the key messages in this story. The tale is fun and would definitely engage children, I can almost hear the children in my class joining in with the responses. Humour is used throughout and it’s a great book to read aloud using different character voices. The twist at the end really held a message that is so important to young children and should be reinforced. I found the book to be clever, witty and fun with an underlying theme of always being yourself.

This was a fun story, all about a lion who eats everything in his story because he believes that's what a lion should do. But can we find the lion in the book or is he in disguise?
As well as being a great story, this would be great to use with KS1 children when learning about rhyming and adjectives. There are plenty of opportunities for prediction and discussing what they see in the pictures.

We have totally fallen in love with If You See a Lion by Karl Newson and Andrea Stegmaier and published by Quarto Kids because it is BRILLIANT in every single possible way!

Once upon a time,

There was a story in this book.

But a lion ate it all.

Orange, furry, handsome, tall.
Take a look inside the book and see what havoc the lion has wreaked. But be careful, because the lion must be lurking somewhere… 🤔

Being a huge fan of rhyming stories, I absolutely love that Newson has gone for a really quirky rhyme scheme in this one. The ingenious way it’s written really adds to the characterisation of the lion, and is so much fun to read aloud. I defy any adult reading this book not to use a smooth, cunning lion voice – it’s just crying out to be acted!

And as though at a pantomime or live performance, the children I’ve read it to haven’t been able to stop themselves from jumping up and down, pointing and shouting as they spot the beast in disguise, a costume which is gradually stripped away on each page by a clever little rabbit.

Andrea Stegmaier’s artwork is stunning and very clever. I particularly love the colour palette she’s used, which gives the book a really classy look and feel. Coupled with Quarto’s trademark beautiful quality, and fun paper art on the cover, it’s one that would make a superb gift.

Wee Reader gets so involved when we read this story, and his favourite part is where it seems the rabbit might come to a sticky end… The actual ending though is very fitting and the messages, of friendship and of being true to yourself, are delivered in a very funny and non-preachy way.

If You See a Lion is released this Tuesday 18th August, and I urge you to get hold of a copy – you won’t be disappointed! With huge thanks to Quarto for sending us a gifted copy to review.

I'd heard a fair bit about If You See A Lion on social media, and thought it sounded really good, so was very excited to be able to read it on NetGalley! I was even more impressed with it than I expected to be and have enjoyed reading it a few times; the illustrations are lovely and it's got such a good story!

I can imagine that If You See A Lion would be such a fun book to read aloud with a group of children as it just flows so well and is really fun! It's definitely one of the most enjoyable picture books that I've read in a while!