Library Lion

A favorite picture book at our house is Library Lion written by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.  One day a lion wanders into the public library and falls asleep on a pillow in the story corner.  "No one was sure what to do.  There weren't any rules about lions in the library."  He is very well behaved until story time ends and he wants more.  He roars.  Very loudly.  Miss Merriweather informs the lion that there is no roaring in the library and that he must be quiet - but if he is quiet he can stay.  The lion becosme a regular at the library - listening to story time, licking envelopes and helping patrons reach the hard to reach books.  Everyone loves the library lion.  Everyone that is, except for Mr. McBee.

This is a charming story about a library, lions and when to, and when not to, follow the rules.  The illustrations are fun and I love the story.  I love libraries and Knudsen's text and Hawkes' illustrations combine together to create an especially enchanting library.

If you are in New York City you should stop by the Public Library on 5th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Street.  There are lions.  Outside of the library.  The building is beautiful and I hear the children's section is amazing.