Traditional Tale

The Lion and the Mouse-Jerry Pinkney

Pinkney, Jerry. 2009. THE LION AND THE MOUSE. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney.  New York:NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.  ISBN  9780316073608

This adapted Aesop tale explains the unusual relationship between the Lion and the Mouse.  One day as Mouse scurries about trying to escape the dangers that surround her, she is captured by Lion. Instead of swallowing Mouse whole, Lion releases Mouse so she may return to her nest of babies.  Later as Lion travels through the jungle, he is captured in a human trap.  As soon as Mouse hears Lion’s cries for help, she quickly sets out to rescue him.

In Pinkney’s mostly wordless version of a timeless tale, the reader learns a multitude of lessons. The most obvious of these is that even the strongest sometimes need help. In the beginning of the story it is not unusual to think of a mouse trying to escape the many dangers of a world that is much larger than she.  However, as the story progresses we learn that even the strong and mighty often face dangers. Of course, the smallest of the small is the only one that can aid Lion in his time of need.  Clearly, size doesn’t always determine importance. This is reinforced with the use of onomatopoeia with predator sounds like “GRRR” and “Screeeech” appearing in a larger font than the small “squeak” and “scratch” of Mouse. 

The use of watercolor paintings tells a soft but bold story through eye catching colors and impressive details. As Lion captures Mouse, individual blades of grass play home to a dragonfly and a butterfly.  Even the selected words are painted in watercolor with Lion’s “Roar” floating across the sky to Mouse in a muted rainbow of colors. Additionally, spacing is used to maximize the difference in the characters’ sizes.  In the middle of the story, Lions’ head takes up the whole page while mouse appears on the opposite page with a large amount of empty space.

This book is made to be shared with a read aloud.  The absences of words make it nonthreatening to young children as they tell the story through the pictures. Adults will enjoy the beautiful art work and sharing a traditional tale with a younger generation. 

Caldecott Medal Book

Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards Honor Book

Kirkus Review: "successfully blends anthropomorphism and realism"

*Have children write words to the story.

*Students can explore the book to find and identify all the different animals found in the book

*Use watercolors to create mask and have children act out the parts in the story