THE LION & THE MOUSE by Jerry Pinkney

Bibliography
Pinkney, Jerry. 2009. The Lion & the Mouse. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316013567

Plot Summary
A mouse finds herself in the clutches of a lion while trying to escape from an owl. The lion decides to spare her life. One day, the lion finds himself ensnared in a trap left by poachers. The mouse hears his cry and rescues him.

Critical Analysis
The plot of this story is so simple that it is told in pictures only. The only language present is the sounds that some of the animals make, for example, the roar of the lion in trouble and the squeaks of the mouse's babies. This story takes place in the African Serengeti, a place where one would expect to find a lion. According to Pinkney, the beautiful illustrations capture the landscapes of Tanzania and Kenya. There are two main characters who are both strong. The lion is strong in the obvious sense, and the mouse is strong in that she can survive her dangerous surroundings in order to care for her children. Just like the original fable, the moral remains that strength can be found in the small and meek.

My daughter loves this story and automatically put her own words to the beautiful illustrations. Although my daughter is familiar with the original fable, the illustrations are so descriptive that it is not necessary to know the fable in order to enjoy the story. This story proves that pictures can sometimes tell a story better than words.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

•  Randolph Caldecott Medal, 2010
• New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year, 2009
• Kirkus Reviews: "A nearly wordless exploration of Aesop's fable of symbiotic mercy that is nothing short of masterful."
• Booklist: "Pinkney bends his no-word rule a bit with a few noises that are worked into the art (“Screeeech” when an owl dives; “Putt-Putt-Putt” when the hunters’ jeep arrives), but these transgressions will only encourage young listeners to get involved with read-along sessions. And involved they will be—how could they not get drawn into watercolors of such detail and splendor?"

Connections 

• Encourage children to add their own words to the story by asking them what do they think is happening in each scene.
• Other fables by Jerry Pinkney:

          The Little Red Hen. ISBN 0803729359
          Aesop's Fables. ISBN 1587170000

• Read other versions of The Lion and the Mouse. Some suggestions are:

          Orgel, Doris. The Lion and the Mouse: And Other Aesop's Fables. ISBN           078942665X
          Morrison, Toni and Slade. Who's Got Game? The Lion or the Mouse? ISBN           9780743222488
          Bader, Barbara. Aesop & Company: With Scenes from His Legendary Life. ISBN           0395505976