Christian the Lion (Hardcover)

~ (Author), John Rendall (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6–Christian the lion lived in London with two antique dealers until they decided he needed to be trained to survive in the wild and live out a happier life in Africa. Bourke and Rendall tell this strange tale of buying the lion cub in a department store, giving him the run of their home and store, and introducing him to their life in the thick of the city. They describe where he liked to sit, what he liked to do, and how he reacted to new situations. All of the circumstances pile up on one another, making for a slow-paced narrative. The story is based on the authors' experiences, but, according to the CIP, the names of people, places, dates, the sequences and details of events, and the actions and conversations of real-life figures have been changed. So it is difficult to know what is true and what is not other than their love for this gentle lion and their understandable unhappiness about their preparations for his eventual departure. Some of the photos seen on YouTube are grouped with other black-and-white and color shots in the center of the book. Back matter contains tidbits about Christian, lions in general, and various famous animals. This is not an essential purchase.–Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA
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Product Description

As Ace and John, two friends, are searching for holiday gifts in London, they come across a lion cub for sale in Harrods, the famous department store! Unable to bear the thought of leaving the cub, Ace and John take him home and name him Christian. After a year of fun and mischief Christian has grown up, and Ace and John realize that their pet needs to be among other lions and deserves to live free, in his natural environment. Luckily, friends help introduce Christian to the African wild.

Christian the Lion tells the riveting true story of one animal’s ability to adapt to life in the wild, and captures the unexpectedly enduring connection between man and animal.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Printing edition (March 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385738560
• ISBN-13: 978-0385738569
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #179,985 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Children's Book, April 1, 2009

By	Deborah A. Mcdonald (Athens County, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a wonderful children's book I bought for my grandbabies in England, where Christian came from. Since it is a true story, it is particularly fascinating. I stumbled upon the YouTube video of Christian greeting his old friends Ace and John after a year in the wilds of Kenya, was totally hooked, and had to find out more. I have purchased the video, Christian the Lion at World's End (apparently a reference to King's Road in London where Christian began his road to freedom), from [...] and would recommend it to anyone with a modicum of interest in this story. Proceeds go to bornfree for conservation and returning wild animals to the wild.

I also recommend the book for grown-ups, A Lion Called Christian, for parents to read so they know the whole story, along with this book they can read to their children. There are some unfortunate circumstances with Katania and Boy addressed in the video and I assume the grown-up book (which I have just started) since they are addressed in the video, that are not addressed in the children's book, which is good. I read this book in one short evening to make sure it was suitable for younger children. It is. And there are actual photographs of Christian, Ace and John!

This is an absolutely lovely story, and Ace (Anthony) Bourke and John Rendall have done an excellent job with this book, including the facts section at the end of the book with information about Kenya and its wildlife.

I recommend it very highly.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the Book, April 18, 2009

By	Phyllis H. Pentecost - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book brought tears to my eyes. With all the trouble in the world...this book makes it clear what really matters...love.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Doesn't Love a Lion?, May 21, 2009

By	Miss Judy (New York) - See all my reviews

Like most people, Christian was unknown to me before YouTube. But once I saw the reunion between Christian and John & Ace, it was all over. I really couldn't wait to read the story of this incredible friendship, and was not dissapointed in John and Ace's book. It was funny, warm, touching and most of all...proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that love really does know no boundaries. If you want to feel good, read this book. What a nice change from the usual murder mysteries, political junky books, etc. You won't be sorry if you buy this book.