The Time of the Lion

by Jackie Morris (Illustrator)

A magical tale of the special bond between father and son recounts how young Joseph, living in the African Savannah, comes to love a lion living nearby and how he learns to both love and trust his father.

At night while his village sleeps, young Joseph hears a lion's roar thunderclap across the wide East African Savannah. Joseph's father tells him that it is not the right time to go and meet the lion, but when Joseph sees the lion racing towards him, his great head streaming with gold and his paws as big as drums, a special friendship begins. Every noontime Joseph visits the lion's den. He sleeps beside the lion, meets the lioness, and plays with the young cubs. Then one day, traders come looking for lion cubs and an anxious fear awakens in he suspects that his father has betrayed the lions.

This beautiful father/son tale explores an unusual friendship and a child's rite of passage. The Time of the Lion creates a metaphor for the magic of childhood, a time when fantasy is reality, and lions are our friends. The beautiful artwork is the perfect compliment to this tale, capturing the power and mystery of the African Savannah.

Genres: Picture Books, Africa, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Jackie Morris lives in a small house on the Welsh coast. She wanted to be an artist from the earliest she could remember. After studying art at Hereford and Bath Academy she went on to illustrate for magazines and newspapers. She began her first book for children the week after her first child, Thomas was born and has gone on to illustrate and write many books.

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wonderful paintings in this children's story book are of an Africa of starry skies and vast, golden savannahs. The accompanying story is simple, characterising the lion as wise and the protector of small boys. It's a book guaranteed to appeal to little ones and to any art lover. It isn't a cheap book, so it would make a lovely gift, especially with an inscription from the giver. It is very much the sort of book that we all had as children and kept into adulthood.

Here is a link to some of the pictures.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The time of the lion is a story about a boy who creates this unbreakable bond with the lion across the savannah. The lion protects joseph from the other animals in the savannah. However, there comes a time when Joesph has to protect the lion and his pride from poachers. This is a beautiful story about the importance of saving our wildlife.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story, and think it teaches children a very powerful message - humans are the most dangerous animals of all.

The story is about a young boy, Joseph, who defies his father and goes out to find a lion. The bond he forms with this lion is truly inspirational, with them both protecting each other. Then one day, traders come and want to buy small lion cubs. Joseph and his father rescue the lion cubs and hide them from the traders, so that the lion family can reunite at the end of the story.

This story provides an age-accessible way of teaching children the dangers that humanity can pose to wild animals such as lions, and that we need to respect wild animals.

The illustrations are really bold and interesting, with lots of intricate details to explore.

I will definitely read this with KS1 and KS2 children, as I think the message is so powerful.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this tale set in Africa, a boy, Joseph, befriends a lion, but keeps it a secret. All summer Joseph spends with the lion, his lioness, and their cubs. Then traders come to the village, wanting to capture lion cubs to sell. How can Joseph protect the cubs, and will his father help the traders? Read and find out! What I really loved about this book was the illustrations, large two-page spreads, broad as the savannahs being depicted. I especially like the pictures of the savannah at night, with the stars twinkling overhead in the deep blue sky. My only disappointment with this book was that the author didn't include a note about how she came to write this story, whether it's based on a folktale, or if she traveled to Africa. That, I suspect, would be just as enjoyable to read about as this book. With its themes of loyalty to friends, and trying to do what you feel is right, this book could stir up some interesting discussion in a classroom setting. Recommended!

[LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book both for its slightly-abstract illustrations and its embellishments that imitate African decorative art. The idea of sleeping with lions is magical, and the danger of traders stealing the cubs to sell adds tension, but I don't think the conclusion that the boy is right and his father wrong will sit well with African readers.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the artist and got this book to see the art work. I read through the story and thought it was wonderful!

[Heidi]

Accidental duplicate listing.

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is of a young boy who hears the calling of a lion whilst lying in bed. Ignoring the advise of his father, Joseph finds the lion and forms an unbreakable bond. In doing so, he must defend his new friend's cubs against the poachers and merchants who would seek to profit from them. The resolution is one which Joseph could not have forseen but is also an interesting message about the struggles that those communities who live alongside such a valuable commodity. As always, Jackie Morris's artwork is a wonderful, enchanting strength