Traditional Literature #1 - The Lion & The Mouse

By: Jerry Pinkney

Credit: Jerry Pinkney

BIOGRAPHY

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


PLOT SUMMARY


This beautiful, wordless picture book is about how an act of kindness can lead to great friendship, two animals living in the jungle and the need to work together for survival. Jerry Pinkney recounts Aesop's classic tale of The Lion and the Mouse. First, you have the mother mouse trying to find food in the jungle for her babies. She comes upon what she thinks is tall grass, soon she finds herself captured by the king of the jungle. Surprisingly, the lion lets mother mouse go, next you see animal hunters setting up traps. Readers can draw conclusions on what is going to happen next. The lion is then captured and mother mouse works hard to release him, just like he let her go free. It's no easy task for mother mouse. She uses her teeth to grind through the thick rope and calls upon for some help. Mother mouse goes home to her babies with a gift of rope. It's an amazing picture book, with animals working together for the common good.

Credit: Jerry Pinkney

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jerry Pinkney does an amazing job telling a story through beautiful illustrations. Each page speaks to you. Pinkney uses pencil and watercolors to bring his book to life. Most of the illustrations you will see the animals facial features by bringing the scene closer to you as a reader. I think this was a great idea. For example, when the lion realizes his foot is caught in the rope. It just shows his two feet caught or when mother mouse was caught by the lion, you see both of their expressions very clear and how they are feeling.  

Credit: Jerry Pinkney

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

Caldecott Award - 2010

New York Times Best Illustrated Book 2009

ALA Notable Children Book 2010

Horn Books Awards Honor Book 2010

Parent’s Choice Gold Award Winner 2009

Starred Review in Publishers Weekly:  “Pinkney has no need for words; his art speaks eloquently for itself.”

Starred Review in School Library Journal: "The ambiguity that results from the lack of words in this version allows for a slower, subtle, and ultimately more satisfying read. Moments of humor and affection complement the drama.”

Starred Review in Kirkus Review: “A nearly wordless exploration of Aesop’s fable of symbiotic mercy that is nothing short of masterful.”


CONNECTIONS

Book Connections by Jerry Pinkney:

*   The Tortoise & The Hair  ISBN 9780316183657

Activities To Use In The Classroom:

*   Venn Diagram - similarities and differences between the lion and the mouse. Discuss

*   Show the pictures in the book, tell what is going on using details.

*  Read a written version of the story. Find pictures that match phrases from the text. Discuss         and share. 

*  Locate Katy, Texas,  Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania on a map and discuss.

Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!