Christian the Lion [Hardcover]

Anthony Bourke (Author), John Rendall (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

“In 1971 we wrote A Lion Called Christian, the story of a lion from London who returned to Africa. Forty years later, the Internet’s YouTube has introduced a new world audience to Christian.” —Ace Bourke and John Rendall

Through many previously unseen photographs, this picture book follows Christian as he grew from a tiny ball of fur into a majestic lion. Here is the incredible story of the remarkable journey to take Christian back to the wild.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3—The story the lion cub purchased from the exotic animals department at Harrods in 1969 has transitioned from YouTube phenomenon to middle grade chapter book (Delacorte, 2009) and now to picture book. While details fleshed out in the chapter book are glossed over and sometimes poorly explained here, this book succeeds because of the authors' decision, many years ago, to document their time with Christian so well. The lion's story, presented as a scrapbook, is full of original photographs of the cub growing up in a London flat and his eventual relocation to the Kenyan bush. Christian's slightly anthropomorphized narrative has a brief introduction and conclusion by Bourke and Rendall. Young readers may not grasp the absurdity of keeping a wild animal as a pet, nor the serendipitous circumstances that led to Christian's placement with George and Joy Adamson, but they will enjoy the photos of Christian riding around London in a convertible, playing hide-and-seek with a blanket, and meeting the pride of lions that he would eventually join. The layout is excellent, with both text and photos presented in an uncluttered, easy-to-follow format. This is ultimately a satisfying story about an extraordinary relationship. It will intrigue children raised on Owen and Mzee and Knut the polar bear.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA END

Review

"An entertaining and lighthearted portrait"—Publishers Weekly

 

“The layout is excellent, with both text and photos presented in an uncluttered, easy-to-follow format. This is ultimately a satisfying story about an extraordinary relationship. It will intrigue children raised on Owen and Mzee and Knut the polar bear.”—School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (July 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805091823
• ISBN-13: 978-0805091823
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,163,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love everything about Christian!, September 22, 2009

By 

Kathleen Eiferle "eifsbooks" (Lansing, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christian the Lion (Hardcover)

As an adult educator, I was eager to read this book to my kids. I found I enjoyed it as much as the adult books about Christian. The pictures are wonderful and it is extremely well written. It appealed to my 3, 5 and 8 year old readers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christian, August 9, 2010

By 

Camille R. Magnifico "Camrose" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christian the Lion (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful book and in great shape. I intend to use it as a Christmas gift. Thank you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Christian The Lion, October 26, 2011

By 

Lee J. Wood "animal lover" (Post Falls Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christian the Lion (Hardcover)

What a great book. I have read other books on the two great guys who gave him his freedom. Everytime I see the clip on the guys reunited with Christian, I cry.