In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness i...
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Feb 17, 2011
Jan
rated it: 
This Caldecott award winning picture book is simply perfection. The lavish, bright and arresting illustrations that tell a beloved Aesop fable about a merciful lion enthrall the reader immediately. I loved how Pinkney used just sounds to add a touch of fun and action to the story. This is a must have for your picture book collection. This book is a wonderful illustration of how the humblest of us can make a difference, even to the most powerful.
Find it at Cuyahoga County Public Libr More...
Find it at Cuyahoga County Public Libr More...
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Feb 12, 2012
Anne
rated it: 
I like this book’s retelling of the rather well know Aesop fable “The Lion and the Mouse”. Instead of words however the story is made up of pictures with the occasional animal sound. I like how the cover of the book suggest this story is told in pictures by having a picture of the lion and the mouse side by side with an “&” in between them. If you look at the pictures this story actually begins and ends on the inside covers. I like that this version of the story adds a family for both the lion
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Nov 16, 2011
Shanna
rated it:
Jerry Pinkney's splendid interpretation of Aesop's fable will enthrall young readers, bringing to life the dramatic intensity of animal life that ancient Greek listeners might have understood from personal experience. Pinkney's resplendent paintings bring the old Greek story to new life in the African Serengeti.
This is a truly wordless book, including only sound effects, and this gives the reader a feeling of being submerged in an animal-only landscape. Pinkney does take a little lib More...
This is a truly wordless book, including only sound effects, and this gives the reader a feeling of being submerged in an animal-only landscape. Pinkney does take a little lib More...
Oct 06, 2011
Jeannie
rated it:
Citation: The Lion and the Mouse, Jerry Pinkney, (Little Brown and Company, 2009), 32p. Picture book.
Genre: Picture Book-Wordless
Summary: This wordless book is one of Aesop's fables. In this book, the mouse is shown favor by the Lion who sets him free instead of killing him. Later in the story, the mouse is able to return the favor and we see that a lasting friendship has been forged.
Critique: (a)I like the way the illustrations seem to give voice to the chara More...
Genre: Picture Book-Wordless
Summary: This wordless book is one of Aesop's fables. In this book, the mouse is shown favor by the Lion who sets him free instead of killing him. Later in the story, the mouse is able to return the favor and we see that a lasting friendship has been forged.
Critique: (a)I like the way the illustrations seem to give voice to the chara More...
Sep 27, 2011
Kelley
rated it:
Critique- Picture Book/ Wordless/ Caldecott Winner
This is an illustrated adaption of the Aesop Fable of a surprising animal pair, a lion and a mouse, showing kindness to one and other in times of need. A.) The illustrator does a beautiful job of portraying realistic style images through the watercolor media. B.) The illustrations are vibrant, detailed, and fill the pages of the book. This assists in creating the illusion that we the reader are right there with the characters, experie More...
This is an illustrated adaption of the Aesop Fable of a surprising animal pair, a lion and a mouse, showing kindness to one and other in times of need. A.) The illustrator does a beautiful job of portraying realistic style images through the watercolor media. B.) The illustrations are vibrant, detailed, and fill the pages of the book. This assists in creating the illusion that we the reader are right there with the characters, experie More...
Sep 26, 2011
Sara
rated it:
1. wordless picture book, fable
2. A lion who is disturbed by a mouse lets his pray go. The mouse, knowing his debt to the lion, releases him from a poachers net when he is caught.
3. A. The illustrations in this book are spectacular.
B. They would almost have to be, in order to tell this wordless story. The illustrations in this book are so detailed and so full of movement, you almost feel like the animals are real and you can reach out and touch each indiv More...
2. A lion who is disturbed by a mouse lets his pray go. The mouse, knowing his debt to the lion, releases him from a poachers net when he is caught.
3. A. The illustrations in this book are spectacular.
B. They would almost have to be, in order to tell this wordless story. The illustrations in this book are so detailed and so full of movement, you almost feel like the animals are real and you can reach out and touch each indiv More...
Sep 25, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
1.Wordless picture book
2.This wordless picture book is a retelling of a traditional Aesop’s fable. A lion shows compassion to a mouse who in turn is able to come to the lion’s rescue when he is trapped by hunters.
3. A.The illustrations in this picture book are beautifully crafted to depict the thoughts and emotions of the characters. B. The illustrations as a whole are unique because they so clearly tell the story without any words. Emotions like fear, curiosity, co More...
Sep 26, 2011
Casey
rated it:
1. Genre: Wordless
2. Summary: This is a recreation of one of Aesop’s Fables, The Lion and the Mouse. The story follows a lion that captures a mouse but lets her go. Later on in the story, Mouse sees that Lion has been captured and she saves Lion from the poachers trap in order to return the favor of Lion letting her live.
3. Critique:
a.) This wordless picture book has the most beautiful illustrations. Out of all the picture books that I have read, including the Caldecott More...
2. Summary: This is a recreation of one of Aesop’s Fables, The Lion and the Mouse. The story follows a lion that captures a mouse but lets her go. Later on in the story, Mouse sees that Lion has been captured and she saves Lion from the poachers trap in order to return the favor of Lion letting her live.
3. Critique:
a.) This wordless picture book has the most beautiful illustrations. Out of all the picture books that I have read, including the Caldecott More...
Sep 23, 2011
Johnny
rated it: 
Summary: A traditional fable where a mighty lion catches a small mouse, but allows it to go free. Later, as the lion walks through the jungle, he is unexpectedly caught in a poacher’s trap: however, the little mouse the lion released earlier returns to demonstrate his gratitude to the lion. a) This critique points out that the lack of text in this fable limits the readers understanding of the story. b) The strength of this fable is its beautiful portrayal of the morals of mercy, kindness, and re
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Sep 22, 2011
Lindsay
rated it:
Genre: Picture Book - Wordless
Summary: This is book is about a lion and a mouse who each give the other an act of kindness. When the lion catches the mouse in his paw he lets him go rather than treat him as prey. Because of this kindness the mouse returns to the lion to free him from a poacher's trap when he is in his own time of peril.
Critique: (a)This book finds its strength in the moral of the story. The lesson you a child comes away with from the story is invaluable More...
Summary: This is book is about a lion and a mouse who each give the other an act of kindness. When the lion catches the mouse in his paw he lets him go rather than treat him as prey. Because of this kindness the mouse returns to the lion to free him from a poacher's trap when he is in his own time of peril.
Critique: (a)This book finds its strength in the moral of the story. The lesson you a child comes away with from the story is invaluable More...
Sep 21, 2011
Becca
rated it: 
Another Caldecott Winning Book is the mighty tale of The Lion & The Mouse written by Jerry Pinkney. This story is a wordless picture book telling the great adventure of an unlikely friendship between two animals living in the wild. A tiny mouse, running from a predator, finds shelter atop the king of the jungle. The gentle giant spares the mouse’s life and finds comfort in his decision when he himself must call upon an unlikely rescuer when he becomes trapped in danger. The reader and listen
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Sep 19, 2011
Katelyn
rated it:
Wordless
This story is about a mouse that is looking for safety, which leads her into the paw of a lion. Luckily, the lion lets the mouse return to her baby mice. Later on the lion is the animal that needs rescuing, and the mouse family must return the favor.
A. The illustrations are powerful throughout this book. Some of them could potentially be frightening for younger readers or listeners, but it depends on the child. The images, however, are beautifully done.
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This story is about a mouse that is looking for safety, which leads her into the paw of a lion. Luckily, the lion lets the mouse return to her baby mice. Later on the lion is the animal that needs rescuing, and the mouse family must return the favor.
A. The illustrations are powerful throughout this book. Some of them could potentially be frightening for younger readers or listeners, but it depends on the child. The images, however, are beautifully done.
More...
Sep 08, 2011
Katlyn
rated it:
1. Genre: Wordless
2. Summary: This wordless book with great illustrations is about the king of the jungle, the lion and one of the smallest animals around, the mouse. The lion needs the help of the little mouse in this story when he gets caught in a trap and can’t get free.
3. Critique:
a. The wonderful lesson of this story stood out to me as its most outstanding part, especially with things that happen in our world and schools today. (The illustrations in the book are also amaz More...
2. Summary: This wordless book with great illustrations is about the king of the jungle, the lion and one of the smallest animals around, the mouse. The lion needs the help of the little mouse in this story when he gets caught in a trap and can’t get free.
3. Critique:
a. The wonderful lesson of this story stood out to me as its most outstanding part, especially with things that happen in our world and schools today. (The illustrations in the book are also amaz More...
Apr 06, 2011
Alexa
rated it:
There are no words to describe this book... literally. This book contains only pictures and noises, unlike the original fable which tells the tale with words of a lion and a mouse who protect each other against their nature. It makes for a perfect picture walk since there are no words to read. Though there are no words, this book still portrays a powerful lesson. You do not have to be big to have a big heart. The author's note depicts this perfectly, "I've come to appreciate that both anima
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Aug 06, 2010
Erin
rated it:
At last here is a book from this year to rave about! It happened to be on top of a stack of books that I was carrying out to my car and as I walked along dodging cars in the parking lot, looking at the back cover of the book, I started thinking, "Wow, these watercolours really have a nice luminance to them. I hope that it's at least half as nice inside." When I got to the car and sat down, I was curious which book it was and loved that the artwork was strong enough to stand on its o
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May 10, 2010
Ronyell
rated it:
“The Lion and the Mouse” is a Caldecott Medal award winning book by the wonderful Jerry Pinkney that is about how a bold lion realizes that the smallest creature can be a big help when he is trapped in a predicament that he cannot get out of. “The Lion and the Mouse” is a brilliant retelling of the classic Aesop fable that children will read over and over again.
Jerry Pinkney’s illustrations alone retell the story of a popular Aesop fable, since there are no words in this book to tel More...
Jerry Pinkney’s illustrations alone retell the story of a popular Aesop fable, since there are no words in this book to tel More...
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May 01, 2010
Brooke
rated it:
Summary:
From School Library Journal
"This story starts on the cover with the glorious, golden countenance of a lion. No text is necessary to communicate the title: the direction of the beast's gaze and the conflicted expression on his tightly cropped face compel readers to turn the book over, where a mouse, almost filling the vertical space, glances back. The endpapers and artist's note place these creatures among the animal families of the African Serengeti. Each spread contribu More...
From School Library Journal
"This story starts on the cover with the glorious, golden countenance of a lion. No text is necessary to communicate the title: the direction of the beast's gaze and the conflicted expression on his tightly cropped face compel readers to turn the book over, where a mouse, almost filling the vertical space, glances back. The endpapers and artist's note place these creatures among the animal families of the African Serengeti. Each spread contribu More...
May 01, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he'd planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher's trap. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning pictures speak volumes.
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Mar 29, 2010
Teeny
rated it:
Summary: In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he'd planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher's trap. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning pictures speak volumes
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Jan 20, 2010
Treasa
rated it:
A beautiful version of Aesop's fable told almost entirely without words. (The only words are sounds, such as an owl hooting or a lion roaring.) Pinkney's illustrations are exquisite and well-deserving of the Caldecott. He manages to give the lion and mouse a great deal of character through their facial expressions and their body language. It would be fun to read this book with children who were willing to describe what they thought was going on in the illustrations. It would probably work especi
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Jul 19, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
How trustworthy do you find a reviewer who loves a particular author’s work, praises it regularly, and then reviews that writer's next book with predictable kisses, cheers, and thrown rose petals? I admit that I am usually that exact reviewing type. If I like someone’s work, I’m more likely to review that same person in the future. That’s just how the game goes. But for once, I think I should point out that a positive review is all the MORE impressive when it comes from someone who not usual
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Sep 26, 2011
Ashton
rated it:
Genre: This is a wordless fable.
Summary: The illustrations depict a lion who lets a mouse live and then, when he gets in trouble himself, the mouse saves his life.
Critique: A. The illustrations are beautifully done, depict a realistic scene, and convey emotions on the lion's face wonderfully.
B. While the illustrations do contribute to the story, and the lion's face helps to see how he feels, the story would still benefit from words. Being a moralistic story, children may under More...
Summary: The illustrations depict a lion who lets a mouse live and then, when he gets in trouble himself, the mouse saves his life.
Critique: A. The illustrations are beautifully done, depict a realistic scene, and convey emotions on the lion's face wonderfully.
B. While the illustrations do contribute to the story, and the lion's face helps to see how he feels, the story would still benefit from words. Being a moralistic story, children may under More...
Feb 27, 2011
Jose
rated it:
A picture tells a thousand words. The colorful illustrations in this children's picture book capture a beautiful story about a mouse and a lion. At the beginning of the story a mouse accidentally runs into a lion while trying to outrun an owl. The lion spares the mouses life. Later in the story the Lion is captured in a net made by men. The little mouse remembers how the lion spared his life and decides to free the lion by bitting through the rope and freeing him. The setting of the story takes
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Sep 26, 2011
Jerri
rated it:
1. Picture Book- Wordless
2. This story is a classic tale of a lion and a mouse. The mouse finds himself in the paw of a enormous lion who kindly lets him go rather than eating him for a snack. Later, the lion finds himself in a bind of his own where the mouse returns the favor by releasing him from a trap set by poachers.
3. a. Illustrations
b. For this particular story because it is a wordless book, the reader must rely on the illustration to tell the story. The illus More...
2. This story is a classic tale of a lion and a mouse. The mouse finds himself in the paw of a enormous lion who kindly lets him go rather than eating him for a snack. Later, the lion finds himself in a bind of his own where the mouse returns the favor by releasing him from a trap set by poachers.
3. a. Illustrations
b. For this particular story because it is a wordless book, the reader must rely on the illustration to tell the story. The illus More...
Apr 14, 2010
Alice
rated it:
A beautiful new telling of this Aesop’s fable surprisingly done without any words at all. The illustrations amaze me in their ability to tell the story.
Jerry Pinkney tells this Aesop’s fable wordlessly to great effect. The only words we read are visuals that convey sound--the owl’s call, the lion’s voice in calm and in distress, the squeaks and scratches of the mouse and her family, and the sound of the hunter’s jeep--sound effects to accompany the actions depicted.
Beaut More...
Jerry Pinkney tells this Aesop’s fable wordlessly to great effect. The only words we read are visuals that convey sound--the owl’s call, the lion’s voice in calm and in distress, the squeaks and scratches of the mouse and her family, and the sound of the hunter’s jeep--sound effects to accompany the actions depicted.
Beaut More...
Feb 05, 2012
L12_tomj
rated it:
What is first apparent in reading the Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney is that this illustrator can tell a story just by beautifully drawn illustrations. The two characters, Lion and Mouse, are shown in conflict, in natural poses, and in collaboration. The settings and characters have a nearly golden warmth of color (especially the Lion),and intricately and thinly etched drawn lines adds to reader's intutitve sense that the scenes and story's themes are timeless ones from antiquity. Mouse and L
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Sep 21, 2011
shranicky
rated it:
This almost wordless picture book by Jerry Pinkney is amazing! Even though it literally has no words to the story (besides the animal noises that are written out), you can tell exactly what is happening in the story just by the illustrations. It's the story of a mouse who disturbs a lion from resting and the lion just randomly decides to release his prey. When the mouse notices that the lion has been caught in a poacher's trap, the mouse remembers what the lion did for it and she frees the lion
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Feb 01, 2011
Zackery
rated it:
Although this book contains no words it is still a very powerful and courageous story. The illustrations are very compelling and inspiring. I love the details that were placed into every page on the book, they provide for stunning visuals. This classic tale told without words is an intersting way to demonstrate humility and mercy. The strong, stern, and powerful king of the jungle, who is disturbed by a small mouse that he could easily gobble up, is able to forgive and show mercy to the little m
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Jan 24, 2012
Ashley
rated it:
I absolutly LOVED this book. I have never been a fan of picture books with little to almost no words because from what I have seen they have not been any good. From the beginning of the book with the who's I was intrigued by this book. I thought it was awesome becasue so much can be told with just the pictures. Students while reading this can make all kinds of different inferences about what is going. This is great for students who are not comfortable with reading or do not know how to read
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Dec 08, 2009
Nathaniel
rated it:
Grades: 1st - 2nd
This would make a great book for a create your own story or interpretation for kids to participate in. This is a beautifully rendered retelling of Aesop's classic fable - all the elements of the story are there, and those that know the story will be able to follow right along. There are no words, save text that shows sound effects. The main focus is content, and the pictures speak volumes. There is a reason why Mr. Pinkney is as heralded as an illustrator as he is. E More...
This would make a great book for a create your own story or interpretation for kids to participate in. This is a beautifully rendered retelling of Aesop's classic fable - all the elements of the story are there, and those that know the story will be able to follow right along. There are no words, save text that shows sound effects. The main focus is content, and the pictures speak volumes. There is a reason why Mr. Pinkney is as heralded as an illustrator as he is. E More...
