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Lovely Old Lion ISBN: 9781783441181
Jarman, Julia and Varley, Susan
Published by Andersen Press, 2015
King Lion is 'kind and clever', but when he begins to forget things, such as how to play snakes and ladders and even his grandson Lenny's name, Lenny is worried. What is wrong? Why is Grandpa sometimes so muddled that he confuses night and day? And why does he sing the same song over and over? Why do the other animals laugh at him, and how can Lenny help him? Lenny comes up with the solution himself and rallies Grandpa's old friends round. They bring items and pictures and talk to him about the old times, and he often remembers the stories when they remind him. Nothing can be done about Grandpa's forgetfulness, though, and we know that it will get worse. He puts his crown on Lenny's head and tells him that he will be king one day, and in the last full-page spread we see Lenny, now king, with his young son, telling the younger animals that they must always be kind to their grandparents. The illustrations to this lovely picture book are by the author of 'Badger's Parting Gifts' a classical children's book about death, and they have a similar quality. There is every reason that this will become a classic too as it explains a difficult concept to very young children with love and sensitivity.
Age: 4+