LION IN BED

A lion does everything he can to get his cub out of bed.

Papa Lion has a lot in store for his day with Little Lion. But Little Lion doesn’t want to get up, no matter what Papa Lion suggests—breakfast in bed, a surprise party in bed, even New York City in bed! With each proposal, a group of big cats arrives to fill their adorable little house to overflowing. Nothing works, because it turns out that all Little Lion wants is to snuggle with Papa Lion. Papa Lion appears to be a single father, but the pair are surrounded by extended family and community. At times the rhyme and meter work well, giving the text a wonderful musical rhythm when read aloud, but it’s inconsistent, sometimes vanishing with a thud and disrupting the flow. The off-and-on rhymes are clearly intentional, but the meter is also often awkward. Nevertheless, Tatsukawa’s full-page illustrations are incredibly cute and lively, depicting a bevy of adorable tigers, lynxes, cheetahs, and other cats in gentle colors. Each spread is full of funny details (and cats) for readers to find.

A sweet and funny reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things.