Brian the Lion who Learned

Frances Stickley has created a wonderful rhyming prose tale that lets young readers and listeners learn about friendship and respect.

Brian the Lion believes he is a friend to all the animals but he doesn't take in to consideration their feelings and thoughts in his enthusiasm to enjoy his day. He learns that you need to take time to listen and respect each other's wishes and what makes others happy

Chris Chatterton's illustrations are fantastic, comical and vibrant and will charm and captivate children under 6.

This is an ideal. book to use in reception/ early years and year 1 (KS1) or as a great bedtime read. A fun story but with a message. A book to read along to and enjoy over and over. This is a book that will be recommended to friends and colleagues in education.

An absolute winner and delight from start to finish

A top-notch book, this is a rhyming narrative about a lion who wants to engage with all the critters of his world, but suddenly overhears them have a powwow where they discuss how over-bearing he is. All the other beasties feel beholden to let him first, and deny him nothing when it comes to playing and touching and other boundary-crossing -ings, and struggle to put on a brave face when he is a bit too roar-filled and, well, liony.

Whether the child you're pointing towards this is too vociferous, too selfish, too bouncy or too needy, they will at least enjoy this as a read, as well as take on the lesson. It's great fun, and looks pretty decent too. What I appreciated most has to be the fact this is a valuable book that can clearly be put to great and obvious use for an obvious purpose, but is still so pleasurably engaging. That makes five stars in my book.

A wonderful lesson in using your power positively and showing respect for boundaries.

Brian is the King of the Jungle and he spends his days having ‘fun’ with the other animals by creeping up on them, making them jump, scaring them, squeezing them fiercely and generally being boastful and self-centred. As he taunts and chases the other animals, HE tells THEM that they are having fun and praises himself for his actions and behaviours. He is under the impression that the jungle is such a friendly place to live, until he overhears his ‘friends’ holding a secret meeting and realises there is actually only negative feelings towards him.

When he confronts them, they tell him “You’re strong and you’re fierce and you’re powerful, so the truth is…we are all afraid to say no.” As adults, we can probably all relate to this feeling. There are elements of abuse of power, using fear to control and also gentle nudges towards the topic of consent. Expertly navigated by Frances Stickley, the thought-provoking rhyming text can open up discussions with our little ones from an early age so that they grow up to use the power that they have bestowed on them for good and that they always know that to speak out against bullying behaviours is the correct thing to do.

We read this book with children age 3+.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sending us this eBook for review consideration. All opinions are our own.