The Happy Lion and the Bear

Happy Lion

by Louise Fatio, Roger Duvoisin (Illustrator)

The Happy Lion and the Bear roar and growl at each until they both rush to aid Francois when he sprains his ankle.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1964

About the author

Louise Fatio Duvoisin was a Swiss-born American writer of children's books. Many were created in collaboration with her husband Roger Duvoisin, a Swiss-born illustrator, and she is known best for their picture book series Happy Lion. The Happy Lion (1954), first in the series, won the inaugural, 1956 Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in its German-language translation (Der glückliche Löwe).

Reviews

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is always something to be learned from Roger Duvoisin's illustration.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

We found this in the library this week and the cover caught my eye. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy the book or tell a friend to read it but it's made a decent addition to our weekly reading.
The Happy Lion lives in a zoo and he hears about a new Bear who has come to live in the same zoo. The Happy Lion is indeed, quite happy, and he immediately decides to pay the new Bear a visit.
The Happy Lion's wife was my favorite character. I liked how her actions so closely resembled a human wife. There were several showings of this, the first being her reminder to her "husband" not to get too close to the bear.
The Bear isn't very pleased with the Happy Lion and he lets him know. For whatever reason, the 'why' of the Bear's displeasure is never stated. I'd have liked to know what made him so angry, especially when you have a lion as Happy as out main character. Perhaps the Bear is upset at his move?
Soon Francois, the zoo keeper's son, arrives anticipating a new found friend in Bear. There are many little awesome animal to human tidbits. The Happy Lion accompanying Francois to see the Bear in order to protect him. Bear and the Happy Lion helping Francois at the end of the story.
Bear eventually goes missing (lending credit to the idea he's not happy in his new home) and the animals and Francois must work together to make all right again.
I wouldn't have gone so in depth here had there been another review before mine or a decent description. This is a decent story but without an immediate need for what this offers it sort of falls flat IMO.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Happy Lion because, not only is he adorable and awesome, but he has good life lessons! Like, don't growl at bears.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My dear Happy Lion," he said, "you roar so beautifully. Still, with loud roars one cannot think well and do the proper thing."

[Amy Kraemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books from my childhood. I still have the original copy given to me by my sister.

[Ange · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good illustrations but I found the story rather uninspiring.