posted on 13 Feb 2024

King Lion by Emma Yarlett

Have you ever felt that people sometimes don’t understand you? Maybe you feel that people get the wrong impression when they first meet you? They see someone who is a bit fierce when actually you’re perfectly friendly and wouldn’t dream of snapping at anyone.

Well, if that sounds a bit like you then you’re in very good company because King Lion is having exactly that problem. He’s the king of a country where everyone seems to be happy and content – with the exception of one very important person: himself. Lion is lonely and would desperately like to have a friend but his efforts to find one are all catastrophically misinterpreted:

“And from the top of the tallest tower he asked, ‘Please will anybody be my friend?’

 But all they saw were his dangerous claws. 

And all they heard were his deafening roars. 

And all they feared were his dripping jaws.”

This was a king everyone thought was terrifying and dreadful. But his roars were really cries of sadness as his loneliness grew greater and greater.

But all was not lost for this misunderstood ruler because a young girl has a daring plan – she’s determined to become the lion’s friend.

She confronts the lion and when he roars, so does she. She’s not easily put off and when she jumps onto the lion’s snout as he roars, she says:

“Let’s be friends!”

And from that moment everything changes for the lion – but I’ll let you find out just how for yourself when you get your own copy of the book.

This is the latest book from Falmouth-based illustrator and author, Emma Yarlett whose striking drawing style reminded me at times of Oliver Jeffers. I especially liked her use of double-page illustrations that take us in close and use all of the paper. 

For younger readers this is a picture book that will capture their imagination and they will recognise the plight of the misunderstood King Lion and the brave little girl who doesn’t see a big, dangerous animal just someone who needs a friend.

King Lion is published by Walker Books and can be obtained from your local independent bookshop – who will be happy to order it for you if they don’t hav copies on the shelf?

 

Terry Potter

February 2024