Mary Had a Little Lion
- Age: 3 – 5 years (Preschool)
- Theme: Acceptance
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Book Review:
Mary had a little lamb — LION! Its roar was loud and strong, and everywhere that Mary went, the lion would come along. A joyful new twist on the classic nursery rhyme, where a feisty heroine, a lovable lion, and a school library full of books come together in a story about courage, belonging, and the unexpected friend who saves the day.
What will your child or you learn?
That everyone deserves a place to belong. That libraries are worth protecting. That the bravest friend is often the most unexpected one. And, gently, that being different isn’t being less.
What age group is it for?
Officially 3 to 7. Wonderful as a read-aloud from age 3 — the rhyming text means children can chant along before they can read the words themselves. Independent readers aged 5 to 7 will enjoy reading it on their own. A particular treat for any child who loves their school library.
What is the theme of the book?
At heart, this is a story about belonging. A lion who doesn’t fit in finds his place in the most unexpected spot — the school library — and proves that being different is no reason to be left out. Wrapped in a joyful rhyming adventure, it quietly champions school libraries and the idea that everyone deserves somewhere they belong.
How can you bring the story to life?
Sing it to the tune of the original “Mary Had a Little Lamb” — the text follows the rhyme closely, and children love spotting the difference between lamb and lion. Encourage your child to do the lion’s big roar at the right moments. Talk about Mary’s school library — does your child have one? What’s their favourite book in it? Ask them why they think the lion didn’t belong at first, and what changed. For a lovely follow-on, visit your local library together after reading, and let your child pick a book the way the children in the story do.
Who brought this story to life?
Mary Had a Little Lion is written by Abigail Harrison, whose playful rhyming text makes it a natural read-aloud, and illustrated by Aysha Awwad, a rising talent in British picture books. Aysha illustrated Worry Boots and Whose Dog is This?, the latter shortlisted for the 2024 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Her warm, bright, movement-filled illustrations bring Mary’s lion vividly to life.The book is published by Scholastic, one of the world’s best-known children’s publishers.
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