How to Hide a Lion

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

How does a very small girl hide a very large lion?

It's not easy, but Iris has to do her best, because mums and dads can be funny about having a lion in the house.

Luckily, there are lots of good places to hide a lion- behind the shower curtain, in your bed, and even up a tree.

But Iris can't hide her lion forever, and when her mum discovers him, he has to run away and hide all on his own.

When the lion sees three robbers stealing from the town hall, it's his chance to show everyone that he is, after all, a kind (and very brave) lion- just like Iris always said.

The first irresistible picture book about Iris and her lion. A heart-warming story about a very special friendship, with a wonderfully heroic ending. Painted in Helen Stephens' much-loved retro style.

Praise for How to Hide a Lion:

"Funny and warm-hearted" Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo

"I read How to Hide a Lionwith my son. We love it together." David Walliams

OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES

How to Hide a Lion from Grandma How to Hide a Lion at School How to Hide a Lion at Christmas

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2-Purchasing a hat on a hot day is a perfectly ordinary errand-unless you're a lion. When this particular shopper is chased off the premises by understandably terrified townspeople, he finds refuge in the playhouse of a little girl. Being the brave and practical sort, Iris determines that due to her fugitive's large size, he must be hidden indoors. She combs his mane, tends to a wounded paw, and comforts and conceals him because, as everyone knows, "moms and dads can be funny about having a lion in the house." Readers get the impression that this arrangement could go on indefinitely if it weren't for the fact that lions are difficult to move when sleeping-which they do "a lot." The lion is roused by the shrieks of Iris's surprised mother and is forced to find a new hiding spot masquerading between two stone lions in front of the town hall. His watchful nature, and ability to pin down burglars, ultimately makes him a town hero. He proudly marches in a parade held in his honor and claims his reward: the hat he was searching for in the first place. Bright, cheerful sketches accompany this engaging plot filled with pluck, tenderness, and just a dash of English whimsy. Without the slightest bit of treacle and a great deal of humor, Stephens weaves a story about bravery and kindness that adults and children will reach for again and again.-Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Iris is a very little girl and a lion is a very large animal, but Iris cleverly manages to hide one in her house. After the lion runs away from angry townspeople he's in town to buy a hat the gentle creature seeks refuge in Iris' backyard. The girl sneaks him past her mom and dad and tries to make him as inconspicuous as possible; when her mom is brushing her teeth, for instance, the lion is hiding in the bathtub. Soon, of course, the jig is up, and the lion runs back into town, posing as a statue between two stone lions. From this vantage point, he has a clear view of robbers who break into the town hall and his ROAR! alerts police. The lion is declared a hero and presented with his most coveted item: a hat. Stephens' mild-mannered lion, with his long nose and upturned mouth, makes for every child's fantasy friend. Full of warmth and humor, this story of bravery and kindness and the importance of dapper accessories has the feel of a classic.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2010 Booklist

Horn Book Review

When a bright yellow lion strolls into town to buy a hat, the townspeople don't react well at all. A little girl named Iris offers the lion refuge, and the two become fast friends. All is well until Iris's mom discovers the creature, because, as the deadpan narrator quips, "moms and dads can be funny about having a lion in the house." Forced to withdraw from Iris's place, the lion finds a new hiding spot that leaves him in the perfect position to do a good deed, which wins over the hearts of the town and finally gets him his new hat. The art, both single pages and double-page spreads, moves the story along at a jaunty pace. Text and art pay homage to classic picture books both indirectly and directly, including a nod to Judith Kerr's The Tiger Who Came to Tea (1968). Heavy stock, detailed endpapers, and a second cover illustration hiding under the book jacket complete this story-hour special. julie roach (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Book Review

A little girl named Iris proves herself smarter than the grown-ups around her as she secretly cares for a lion she knows to be kind--a lion who eventually saves the town from burglary. All the lion wants as he strolls into town is to purchase a hat, but he soon finds himself fleeing from terrified, broom-androlling-pinarmed townspeople (one of whom brandishes a loaf of bread). Iris recognizes his gentleness, but it isn't easy to hide him. And parents "can be funny about having a lion in the house." A series of hilarious pictures, reminiscent of the energetic watercolor art of Ludwig Bemelmans and H.A. Rey, vividly demonstrates that the lion is too big, too fluffy and too heavy for easy camouflage. A magnificent double-page spread of Iris with an open book, leaning against the napping lion, recalls the pet Zeep picture in Dr. Seuss' One Fish Two Fish: Both are pictures of deep contentment. After the lion saves the town, his one request to the grateful citizens takes the story full circle. The pages are sturdy, and the endpapers offer entertaining sketches of Iris and her enormous feline friend. As a book with a strong and gentle animal hero and fetching illustrations, this can stand proudly on a shelf with such classics as Crictor, The Story of Ferdinand and, of course, Andy and the Lion. (Picture book. 3-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.