The Lion and the Mouse

The Lion & The Mouse. Jerry Pinkney. 2009. [September 2009] Little, Brown. 40 pages.

Who, who, whooo
Screeeeech

A mostly wordless picture book that happened to win the Caldecott this year. Is there a fair way to review a mostly wordless picture book? I'll try my best. This one is a telling of the Aesop's fable of the same name. A story that shows a lion being merciful to a mouse--by sparing his life, and a mouse returning the favor and being merciful right back by saving the lion's. Is it a story that particularly needs a lot of words? Maybe, maybe not. I think a certain familiarity with the story is helpful with this one going into it. But that could just be me. (On a side note, how familiar are kids today with Aesop's fables? Are they still being read or taught?)

Did I like it? Not all that much. But that really isn't so surprising. I so rarely "like" Caldecott winners. Do I think Pinkney's talented? Yes! Of course! But this particular book isn't quite my style.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers