Ellen's Lion: Twelve Stories (Godine Storyteller) [Paperback]

Crockett Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1984 | Series: Godine Storyteller

Presents twelve episodes in Ellen's relationship with her toy lion.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Crockett Johnson, creator of the 1955 classic Harold and the Purple Crayon, also wrote a lovely, nonsensically philosophical collection of 12 stories about a little girl named Ellen and her conversations with her stuffed lion. Originally published in 1959, Ellen’s Lion has an old-fashioned feel, but its explorations of child logic and imagination are universal and fresh, the perspective authentically childlike. In one story, Ellen pretends she is terrified of her pet lion and calls the police. The lion becomes impatient and annoyed. Ellen feels guilty: "I should have asked you if you ate people before I called a policeman," she says. The lion tells her she didn’t use a real telephone. "’But I called a real policeman,’ said Ellen." In another story, "Sad Interlude," Ellen displays sympathy for her "poor sad old lion." The lion is indignant:

"I’m never sad and never happy, never hungry or never full, never foolish or clever, or good or bad, or this or that, or anything else you imagine me to be—-"
"You poor thing," Ellen said, slowly, shaking her head. "You haven’t any mother, either, have you?"
"Now you are being ridiculous," the lion said.

Children will have no trouble keeping up as the story slips from the real to the imaginary and back again. Out of print for two decades, this winning chapter book, complete with orange-hued, Harold-style illustrations, is sure to charm readers young and old. (Ages 5 to 8) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Originally published in 1959 and out of print for two decades, this collection of very short stories chronicles Ellen?s relationship? complete with two-way conversations?with her floppy stuffed lion. Ellen?s temperament is a bit like Christopher Robin?s (though her appearance is a clone of Harold, from Harold and the Purple Crayon fame), but her lion is a no-nonsense, tougher-minded Pooh, with the voice of reason and reality to counter Ellen?s high-flying imagination. The stories range from fear of the dark and being sad to playing doctor, being a fairy princess, and dealing with a new toy that almost replaces lion.
Parents will find the subtly droll stories as entertaining as children, and a child who reads chapter books will find especially rewarding. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 62 pages
• Publisher: David R Godine Pub (February 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879235098
• ISBN-13: 978-0879235093
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,443,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Crockett Johnson (1906-1975) was the writer and/or illustrator of over 20 books for children, including his beloved classic HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON (Harper, 1955), as well as seven subsequent adventures starring Harold, and THE CARROT SEED, written by his wife, Ruth Krauss (Harper, 1945). He was also the creator of "Barnaby," one of the most popular comic-strips of the Twentieth Century. (A Barnaby selection appears in LITTLE LIT: STRANGE STORIES FOR STRANGE KIDS, Harper, 2001.)

Mr. Johnson received his art training at New York University and Cooper Union, and in his later years exhibited a series of geometric paintings, which were well-received by both the mathematical and artistic communities.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Favorite, March 28, 2005

By 

D. Kathan "Mokath" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ellen's Lion: Twelve Stories by Crockett Johnson (Hardcover)

This book has been a favorite of our family's since we discovered it after our first child was born in 1986. Eighteen years later, we still read and quote from this book. Every child should have a lion like Ellen's. We are so glad it is out in a new edition. Our copy is getting a little ragged.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Kids and Parents, June 28, 2008

By 

avg guy "avg guy" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ellen's Lion: Twelve Stories by Crockett Johnson (Hardcover)

This is one of our daughters favorite books and not a bad story for the parents to read as well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calvin's Predecessor, June 27, 2008

By 

Kurtis Scaletta (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ellen's Lion: Twelve Stories by Crockett Johnson (Hardcover)

25 years before a little boy and his tiger charmed the world, Crockett Johnson wrote these terrific little stories which are also about a child and a stuffed wild cat who comes to life in the child's imagination. The rapport between the girl and her somehow wiser imaginary friend is similar, and cleverly written to make it a marvelous read-aloud experience.