The Lion & the Mouse
By Jerry Pinkney
The Story
A mighty lion spares a trembling mouse instead of eating her, and when a poacher's rope net traps him, the tiny mouse returns to set him free.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's certain that being small doesn't mean being unimportant, this wordless fable makes the case with nothing but pictures.
- Big idea: Kindness isn't wasted, and size has nothing to do with courage or worth.
- Vibes: Quiet, sweeping, golden-lit — more hush than roar.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy studying pictures closely for the story
- are working on reading facial expressions and body language
- respond well to quiet, slower-paced stories
- love animals and African savanna settings
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: How did the mouse help the lion after he was caught in the poacher's trap?
- Feelings & empathy: Why do you think the lion decided to let the mouse go instead of eating her?
- Imagination: Since this book has no words, what do you think the lion and mouse might be saying to each other in the pictures?
- Real-life connection: Can you think of a time someone small or unexpected helped you with something big?
- Story & problem-solving: What clues in the pictures show how the mouse felt when she first met the lion?
