The Lion and the Mouse

by Aesop and Jerry Pinkney

Jerry Pinkney’s almost wordless rendition of Aesop’s story about the... read more

Jerry Pinkney’s almost wordless rendition of Aesop’s story about the lion who lets a mouse go (rather than eat it) and is later saved by the tiny creature is set on an African savanna. Sunlight–saturated spreads move between page views of the expansive landscape and its many inhabitants and close-ups of the principals: one very large lion and one very small mouse. The story unfolds in illustrations offering many captivating perspectives, from the mouse unwittingly scaling the hill of the lion’s back early on, to the overhead view of the lion later walking beneath a trap, followed by a close-up of his paw stepping on the rope that will bind him. The only words are the occasional animal sounds incorporated into the art. Additional bookmaking, design, and illustration details, from the satisfying weight of the pages to the dainty tail of the mouse that breaks through the borders of some framed illustrations, add to the pleasure of this volume. An illustrator’s note provides a brief summary of the story for those who want or need a refresher, along with Jerry Pinkney’s inspiration for this interpretation. (Ages 4–10)

© Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2010

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