A real lion story

Leroy, Addie's stuffed lion, is inspired to venture into "the wild" like the "fierce" real lions he sees in a movie. The outdoors is too much for him, but he decides "the protector of...ADDIE!" is a satisfying thing to be. The imaginative home-away-home story is accompanied by dynamic limited-palette illustrations; shifts from small vignettes to more expansive images add dramatic effect. (c) Copyright 2025. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A toy lion discovers who he really is. Leroy goes everywhere with his beloved guardian, Addie--OK, not the bathtub. Leroy enjoys being a stuffed lion until he sees real lions during family movie night. Leroy is mesmerized. THOSE are lions--fierce, regal protectors! At dawn, Leroy makes big plans. He loves Addie, but it's time for him to be a real lion. When Addie leaves for school, Leroy heads downstairs and hops out the window. The ground is harder than expected, but, standing up, Leroy repeats a mantra: "I am fierce! I am king! I am the protector!" Outdoors, his resolve is tested by a bird, a cat, and an icy wind. Gazing wistfully at the house, Leroy understands he is really a protector of…Addie. He quickly returns to her room--just as she's coming back from school. Cleaning Leroy up after his hardy adventure, Addie hugs him…fiercely. Originally published in Dutch, this is a sweet, gently humorous story about figuring out who you are. Young readers will be assured that it's OK to take small steps toward independence and that no matter what, they'll always be welcomed back into familiar surroundings by those they love. Accompanying the text are cozy vignettes in a limited palette of mostly light orange, white, and gray. Addie has skin the white of the page. No lion about it: This makes for very enjoyable reading, cuddled up with a favorite toy. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.