Mary Had a Little Lion

About this book

Mary has a pet lion. The lion goes everywhere she goes and does everything she does, from enjoying a bubble bath to being dressed up like a baby and pushed around in a pram. 

Yet, when Mary’s lion follows her to school one day, he finds that he’s not welcome, despite being a hit with the children. Rather than leave, though, the lion finds a cosy room filled with books and curls up to go to sleep. And it’s just as well that he does, because a couple of robbers enter the library with the intention of stealing all the books. Mary’s lion springs into action and saves the day, meaning that he’s always welcome at school, to play, to cook – and to read books. 

Following the traditional rhyme and structure of the traditional tale Mary Had a Little Lamb, Harrison and Awwad’s vibrant rhyming book is a lovely story about friendship as well as championing school libraries. The book does include the theme of theft and burglary, which some parents or carers may want to discuss with their children.