The Lion and the Mouse

Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Awards: 2010 Caldecott Award

Summary:

This book takes a wordless spin on Aesop's classic fable. The watercolor illustrations transport readers into the African landscape. Though there are no words, the story comes across very clearly. A mouse has been trapped by a lion, whom she pleads with for her release. She promises that if she was let go that she would be there for the lion if he ever needed her. Sometime later, the lion gets caught in a hunter's net and no one can help him escape. When the mouse learns of this situation, she doesn't hesitate to help him even though he doubts her abilities. In the end, the mouse frees the lion and the two develop a lasting friendship.

Grade Level and Unit:

Jerry Pinkney's version of The Lion and the Mouse would be best in kindergarten and first-grade classrooms. Since students are still learning how to read, this book could be an introduction to a unit on the parts of a story. This could also be used to teach kindness and friendship since it is a major theme in the book. An activity for older students could be to create an alternate story based only on the illustrations given.