Published: March 15th 2016
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Illustrator: Lucy Ruth Cummins
Pages: 36
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars
Once upon a time there was a very hungry lion and some adorable little animals…
What do you think happened next?
This might be one of the most fun and cleverest books ever. It manages to subvert your expectations in about four different ways in the space of 36 pages. You think you know what will happen but your ideas are turned on their end, and then when you think you’re correct again they change once more.
Cummins has been extraordinarily clever with this book. The language is funny, it is repetitive in a good way, silly, and a tad absurd. Coupled with her cute rough looking drawings it sets the scene and adds to the delight of reading.
This is a countdown book of sorts as you list the ever dwindling assortment of animals that are near the hungry lion. The writing is funny and the formatting makes you wait for the right reveals and read it with the correct tone.
There are surprises and twists and I loved every single page. I read this and then went and made three other people read it because I love it so much. I picked it up because there was a lion on the cover because I’m that easy to please, and I am so amazed and grateful it turned out to be such an amazing book.
You can purchase A Hungry Lion via the following
QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository
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