The Lion and the Bird

Dubuc excels at capturing emotions visually. The angle of Lion's posture, with a single nuanced line for his mouth, evinces joy or sadness. White space--sometimes whole pages--speaks its own language of loss and hope . . . A sensitive, uplifting meditation.

The intimacy of friendship, as well as the bittersweet sweep of time, is exquisitely rendered in this spare story of a kindly lion who rescues an injured bird flying south for winter . . . A much needed antidote to the speed of the world, this picture book by French Canadian Dubuc is one to savor.

Dubuc (Animal Masquerade) tells the story of an intimate friendship with few words, light lines, and gentle colors. Gardening in his yard one autumn day, Lion finds a bird with a broken wing. The other birds are flying south, but this bird can't. "You're welcome to stay with me," Lion offers. The two spend the winter together, dwelling in perfect contentment in Lion's cozy, round-roofed hut. Dubuc makes the most of their disparate sizes. The bird nestles in Lion's knitted cap as Lion goes tobogganing and ice fishing, and he sleeps in one of Lion's fuzzy slippers. In the spring, he perches on a twig and gestures toward the other birds. "Yes," nods Lion. "I know." As the bird flies off, Dubuc draws the abandoned Lion from the viewpoint of the departing bird; a page turn shows him again, smaller, diminished, the paw that holds his hat hanging. He resumes his solitary life, but when autumn returns, he's seen with his eyes closed, wishing. Readers will rejoice with him when the bird returns. It's remarkably moving, and--considering it features two animals--deeply human story. Ages 4-up. (May)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 3--Spare text and eloquent artwork tenderly capture the true heart of friendship. It's autumn, and Lion is working in his garden when he discovers an injured bird and bandages its wing. The two watch quietly as the bird's flock fades away into the slate-colored sky. "'Don't worry, '" says Lion and offers his visitor shelter at his cozy home. A wordless spread shows the new friends sharing a meal, sitting in front of a roaring fire, and soundly sleeping (Lion in his bed, the bird nestled in his host's slipper). Snow falls, outdoor activities are enjoyed, and winter passes in contented companionship. Spring arrives--along with the flock--and Lion, sad but empathetic, bids his friend farewell. "Sometimes life is like that." The earlier illustration is re-created, and the bird's absence and Lion's loneliness speak louder than words. Summer sails by, and when fall returns, Lion, looking at sky, wonders, "And how about you?" Just when he gives up hope, he receives a joyful surprise. Dubuc's charming, pastel-hued illustrations convey gentle humor and genuine feeling. The story's measured pacing allows readers to discover and relish each emotional nuance. A lovely choice to share and savor.--Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Selected as the 2014 Booklist Editors' Choice Top of the List—Picture Book selection
Brain Pickings #1 Best Picture Book of 2014.
#1 Best Picture Book of 2014 for Smart Books for Smart Kids

"The Lion and the Bird (Enchanted Lion, May 2014), is a tender and moving story of friendship . . . There's a lot of emotion, Dubuc conveying a great deal with her soft lines and warm palette" — Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

"The Lion and the Bird is ineffably wonderful, the kind of treasure to which the screen and the attempted explanation do no justice — a book that, as it was once said of The Little Prince, will shine upon your soul, whether child or grown-up, "with a sidewise gleam" and strike you "in some place that is not the mind" to glowing there with inextinguishable light." — Maria Popova, Brain Pickings

"The Lion and the Bird is the kind of book that will endure time and bring hours of thought and conversation about friendship, diversity and seasons. It is simply a beautiful creation—and my pick for this year's Caldecott." —32 Pages

"This is the kind of story that enriches your soul and leaves you feeling hopeful and happy. Both you and your child will want to linger over the pages and fully take in all there is to see with the beautiful illustrations." — Smart Books for Smart Kids

"Dubuc's art is exceptional . . . A noteworthy picture book, this new title by Dubuc is charming and warm." —Tasha Saecker, Waking Brain Cells

"a wistful story... You will be touched by the sensitivity of the drawings and their ability to express the joys or sorrows of being together or apart."—Vermont Country Sampler

"Pretty much by definition, quiet books tend to fly under the radar. Some rightfully so, as the wick is turned down so low it struggles to keep from extinguishing completely. But then you have books like The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc (Animal Masquerade) - full of subtle humor and drama that resonates rather than disappears. This is a friendship story full of empathy and beauty." —Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes

"A breathtakingly beautiful book about friendship." —Lisa Zaretsky, @playagainreads