Winner of the Oscar's Book Prize 2019

"This witty, resonant picture book is a manual for anyone's life, young or old." Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week

You don't have to ROAR to be heard...

Meet Leonard - a lion like no other.

Leonard's best friend is Marianne, a duck. But lions chomp ducks, don't they?

What will the pair do when their way of life is threatened?

From the New York Times-bestselling author of Max the Brave comes a powerful story celebrating daydreamers, individuality and the quiet courage to be yourself.

"Positive role models showing boys how to be a whole person are few and far between these days. This marvelous book triumphs in that essential job." Kirkus

"Children will feel empowered after reading such a deliberate story of unyielding strength and self-awareness. Thoughtful and provocative words to live by." School Library Journal

"gently reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh" BookTrust

"Framed by a glowing palette of burnt yellows and oranges, and infused with humour and warmth, this thought provoking fable celebrates courage, individuality and the power of words." The Bookseller

"A philosophical tale so, so full of heart, celebrating the quietest and gentlest among us." Library Mice

"A gentle read with an overwhelming power. How to be a Lion by Ed Vere italicises the need to speak up for yourself and those less strong than yourself. With his signature bold artwork this is another crowd pleaser from the author and illustrator " Picture Books Blogger

You needn't roar to be heard . . .
A powerful book celebrating daydreamers, quiet courage and individuality.

About the Author

Ed Vere (Author, Illustrator)
Ed Vere is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer and illustrator of picture books, including How To Be a Lion - winner of Oscar's Book Prize - and Max the Brave which was named one of The Sunday Times's '100 Modern Children's Classics'.
He studied fine art at Camberwell College of Art and has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1999. Ed has worked with CLPE to co-create the Power of Pictures scheme which encourages visual literacy in primary school education and has received major funding from the Arts Council. He is also a painter, working from his studio in east London.

Reviews
This witty, resonant picture book is a manual for anyone's life, young or old. * Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week *
Positive role models showing boys how to be a whole person are few and far between these days. This marvellous book triumphs in that essential job. * Kirkus *
Leonard is a lion like no other: he loves poetry and daydreaming and his best friend is a duck. But how will the pair react when their way of life is threatened and the other lions insist Leonard should be fierce? Framed by a glowing palette of burnt yellows and oranges, and infused with humour and warmth, this thought-provoking fable celebrates courage, individuality and the power of words. * The Bookseller *
The story's confiding, narrative voice draws readers in close, while bold, scrabbly ink lines by British author-illustrator Vere (the Max picture books) add life and giggles to Leonard and Marianne's friendship. Vere's fable makes a watertight-and charming-case for ignoring the pressures of conformity. * Publishers Weekly *
Ed Vere just keeps getting better and better! How To Be a Lion features the very sweetest Lion, Leonard: a dreamer rather than a chomper, and, most importantly, a great friend. Just because you're a lion doesn't mean that you have to roar, and, in fact, the world would probably be a better place with less roaring, and more time spent on Leonard's thinking hill. Vere's language is beautifully warm and reassuring, whilst retaining a lovely originality, and is gently reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh. A perfect book for all thinking lions (and all clever ducks, too). * BookTrust *
This is a book that challenges children's assumptions and demonstrates that situations look different from different perspectives. It champions staying true to oneself and sticking to one's principles and by one's friends regardless of what others think. The book also beautifully highlights the power and beauty of the written and spoken word... Children will feel empowered after reading such a deliberate story of unyielding strength and self-awareness. Thoughtful and provocative words to live by. * School Library Journal *
How to be a Lion is beautiful - this should come as no surprise as Ed Vere is always a phenomenal artist, but his words can stand on their own and they form a beautiful meditation on the power of being different, ignoring the herd (in this case the pride) and being true to your beliefs, yourself and your friends; and in knowing that tough decisions do not have to be faced alone...It is usually extremely hard to find a picture book of the year but for me, I think, it may be How to be a Lion! * Teen Librarian *



Book Information
ISBN 9780141376363
Author Ed Vere
Format Paperback
Page Count 32
Imprint Puffin
Publisher Penguin Random House Children's UK
Weight(grams) 178g
Dimensions(mm) 282mm * 214mm * 4mm