The Lion & the Mouse

I purchased this book for my grandchildren (8 & 6), but I really wanted to keep it for myself. It is the age-old story, but with no narrative. I told them the story several times and then they tell it back to me using their own words and imagination. But the big appeal of this book is the absolutely stunning artwork. Jerry Pinkney is to be congratulated.

I've seen so many beautiful picture books that connect more with their adult, art-loving buyers than with the children for whom they are intended. This one is the real deal -- kids love it too.
I had this book sent to my grandchildren, who live at a distance. When their Mother called to thank me, I could hear "ROARRRRRR" in the background. My 16-month old grandchild was getting into the "text" (This is essentially a book without words, but the plot is evident to even the youngest child.) My 3-year-old grandson got on the phone and told me the whole story! And the Lion and the Mouse are not all -- he said, "Grandma, there are all kinds of animals" in the pictures.
Grandma hit a home run this time. Not only is this one of the most beautifully-illustrated books I have ever seen, it's one children will love to "read" over and over. It's a winner. And -- another hint -- invest in the hardback. When the paperback is available, it won't include the amazing end papers.

Of course the story is great. The illustrations are absolutely marvelous. I buy children's books because I'm looking for great illustrations and Jerry Pinkney is magnificent. This is probably the only time I felt guilty not paying full price for a book. It seemed like an affront to all the beautiful paintings. I know it will be a favorite when I share it with my great-nephews for reading time.

This is one of the most wonderful picture books I've ever seen! The drawings pull you into the story. The colors are so rich. The author captures the whole traditional story line of a tiny mouse helping a big lion without words and you are so pulled in by the movement and expressions and richness of detail that you will want to read it over and over. And because it's wordless even the very young will enjoy "reading" it.

This is the first book I have ever purchased without the story being printed,is a picture book with just a few words. Very interesting, children use their imagination throughout the pages but in time see and add observations on their own. Illustrations were,are wonderful.

What a beautiful story. No words (except animal sounds), but brilliant illustrations. I plan to use this book with young children AND with high-school kids. I ordered this book as used, and it came back in an acceptable condition.

The illustrations are so lovely. It's a favorite because there are no words--the child (or adult) can supply any story or description they choose, and a lot of creativity emerges, spurred by the drawings.

This book is absolutely gorgeous. The pictures are so wonderful with amazing little details of all the animals out in a savanna. There are no words which makes it a perfect book to create discussion for my 3 yr old and me. We both just love this book.

Beautiful, lavish art work--compelling pictures for children and adults, both. Great book for all ages, and a clever new translation of the Aesop Fable of the mouse and the lion--so, good lesson, too.

Jerry Pinkney is a great children's author but this book has illustration more for adults. The illustrations are beautiful but a bit much for a 2 year old. Perhape in a few years she will enjoy it more.

Illustrations are awesome. I make up the story as we go through it and there is so much to talk about on every page. I am a speech-language pathologist and this book is great for working on language.

We checked this book out from our library, and my boys liked it so much that I ordered it for our personal collection! It is a wonderful book - beautiful artwork with a classic story. It is a timeless classic.

This is a beautiful, artistic rendition of the old familiar Aesop tale. You can almost feel the Lion's mane. And there is so much to see in the background to help tell the tale. It is a book that can be enjoyed by all ages. Book purchased at the store.com

Although I purchased this for my six-year old grandson, I think I enjoyed it more than he did. I didn't realize that there was no written words describing the story, however, the artwork is fantastic and certainly speaks for itself.

I was disappointed at first because I thought there were going to be words like the version that I had when I was a kid, but now I have changed my mind. It is so awesome because there are no words. My three year old flips through the pages and tells me the story!

This colorful book tells the story of how a mouse saved a lion in pictures. The pictures are large and each fills an entire page. There is no text at all which disappointed me because I wanted something for my 3 year old to try to read. The pictures however are well done and can be studied at length.

The Lion & the Mouse is a breathtaking masterpiece. It is what great children's illustration is all about. Jerry Pinkney just keeps getting better and better. A must have book and hands down winner for the Caldecott Gold Medal.

Purchased after recommendation in newspaper. Purchased for great-grandchildren. Artwork supposed to be excellent. Like the book and its presentation but disappointed to find that there was no story attached to read to the child, only the pictures. I went on Google and found the story, printed it and put it inside the book.

Nice illustrations however there is no text- nothing to read to your little one so hope to have a good imagination. Also some of the lions faces are kind of scary idk if it would scare little kids or not.

The expressive drawings in this exquisite retelling of Aesop's beloved fable makes words unnecessary. I always search for ways to connect math to literature, and almost every book offers a means to encourage children to count or compare. Certainly searching for attributes shared by the mouse and the lion (four legs, two eyes) and attributes that would distinguish between the two (size, color) would lead to a lesson in set theory. You might try that on your hundredth time through the book; but on the first ninety-nine times, this is a book to simply embrace.