Lion Lessons
on Goodreads (1,898)
What’s inside...
With the wit and read-aloud appeal of Peter Brown’s Children Make Terrible Pets and William Steig’s Pete’s a Pizza, this funny, fierce picture book teaches kids just what it takes to be a great lion. There are seven steps to becoming a proper lion, including Looking Fierce, Roaring, Prowling Around, and Pouncing. Our young hero, a rather meek and scrawny human boy, does his best to learn the necessary skills during his training with a master instructor (who just happens to be a real lion). After a grueling set of lessons, the boy discovers that the final step—Looking Out for Your Friends—is the most important of all. That’s how any kid can earn his lion diploma (not to mention the affection of every cat in town).
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think you need to learn to become a 'lion' and why?
How did the little boy change from the start of the story to the end?
What is the most important lesson the little boy learned during his lion lessons?
Can you think of a time when you tried something new like the boy? How did it make you feel?
If you were to teach someone a lesson about being brave, what would you teach them?
Tip: Role play these questions
While reading, pause after moments of the boy's attempts at learning lion skills and ask your child what they might do in a similar situation.
Discuss the emotions the boy might be feeling during his lessons, encouraging your child to express empathy.
After reading, use role-play to recreate scenes from the book. Let your child play the role of the boy or the lion to explore the lessons learned.
Relate the bravery in the book to real-life scenarios your child could face, and discuss possible brave actions or decisions.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene and describe why they chose it, fostering a deeper understanding of the story's impact.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: In 'Lion Lessons', the main character enrolls in a class to learn how to become a lion, demonstrating that mastering new skills requires persistence and effort.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to keep trying and practicing in order to achieve their goals, whether it's learning a new sport, instrument, or academic subject.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The protagonist learns to roar and look fearsome but also understands the importance of using his lion abilities to help others, showing sensitivity to their feelings and needs.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of considering other people's emotions and circumstances, which can help them build stronger, more empathetic relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: The character must demonstrate bravery to earn his Lion Diploma, facing tasks that are challenging and initially scary.
Real-World Application: Children learn that courage isn't about not feeling afraid, but about facing fears and taking action despite them, which is applicable in situations like trying new activities or standing up for themselves or others.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: To pass his lion lessons, the character comes up with imaginative solutions, showing that thinking creatively can lead to success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their imagination to solve problems and think outside the box in their daily activities and learning processes.