Sandra L. Tidwell (Children's Book and Play Review, February 2007)
When a lion shows up for Story Hour in the local library, Mr. McBee is upset. However, Miss Merriweather, who is a stickler for rules, says that as long as the lion follows the rules he can stay! Lion enjoys Story Hour so much that when it is over he roars for more. Because of the "Be quiet!" rule, the lion must leave for the rest of the day, but l he can return tomorrow if he agrees to be "a nice, quiet lion." The children, who at first were a little wary of this unusual library friend, look forward to sharing Story Hour with him. The lion even comes early for Story Hour and, being the efficient librarian she is, Miss Merriweather gives him various library jobs to do while he waits. Everyone loves the lion - except Mr. McBee. The next time the lion roars, Mr. McBee reminds him that he has broken the rule and must leave the library. But Mr. McBee soon finds out is that the lion was trying to tell him that Miss Merriweather had fallen and needed help! The next day the lion doesn't come for Story Hour. The children and adults, especially Miss Merriweather, sadly long for their friend to return. After a long search for lion, Mr. McBee invites the lion back to the library by saying, "I thought you might like to know that there's a new rule at the library. No roaring allowed, unless you have a very good reason -say if you're trying to help a friend who's been hurt, for example." To everyone's delight, the lion returns the next day! "Sometimes there was a good reason to break the rules. Even in the library." Although many libraries today have areas where patrons can talk together in groups, this book about library etiquette is from the library era where being quiet is very important. This would be a good story to read to children before their first visit to a library. It would also be a good way to begin a discussion on library rules and their purpose. The realistic color illustrations are done in soft pastel shades and give a restful, happy feeling to the book. Readers will love the illustration of the lion licking envelopes and napping on the bean bag chair in the Story Hour corner. Rating: Outstanding. Reading Level: Toddler; Preschool; Primary. Category: Picture books. 2006, Candlewick Press, 48 p., $15.99. © 2002, Brigham Young University.

Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
One day, a lion came to the library.” Upset, Mr. McBee runs to report to the head librarian, Miss Merriweather. But since the lion is breaking no rules, he is left alone to explore and then nap in the story corner. During story hour he listens attentively, but when told it is over and time to go, he really roars. Since he is now breaking the rules, Miss Merriweather asks him to leave but says he can return for story hour if quiet. Soon Miss Merriweather has put him to work, dusting, licking envelopes, helping children. Only Mr. McBee still feels lions do not belong in the library. When Miss Merriweather has an accident, the lion has to break rules to get her help. He leaves then but is sorely missed. Soon it is Mr. McBee who searches him out to tell him that he can return, to the delight of all. “Sometimes there was a good reason to break the rules. Even in the library.” Hawkes uses his acrylics and pencils to create a lion with a really appealing personality and a wide range of emotions. The rest of the cast and the hints of library furniture, including a relic card catalog, do not distract us from the sympathetic moral fantasy. The double-page scene of the lion giving a humungous roar that knocks McBee’s glasses right off his nose makes a convincing climax. The lions stalks toward the library across the front endpapers, but on the back we see two lion statues in front of the library, perhaps a tribute. Lift the jacket to enjoy the contrasting cover. 2006, Candlewick Press, $15.99. Ages 4 to 8.

Brad Blackmon (Children's Literature)
The rule-minded librarian, Mr. McBee, cannot believe his eyes when a lion walks into a local library. The lion quickly discovers that his favorite place in the library is the story corner. The lion lets out a “RAAHHRRRR” of disappointment at the end of a great story. Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, quickly comes up to remind him that everyone must be quiet in the library. From then on, the lion never breaks the rules and becomes a big helper around the library. Then one day, Miss Merriweather falls and breaks her arm and the lion comes to her rescue. He then finds Mr. McBee and breaks the rules by roaring as loudly as he can. As the rule-enforcing Mr. McBee goes to snitch on the lion for breaking the rules, he discovers Miss Merriweather injured. The lion, knowing the rules, leaves the library in shame and does not return. Miss Merriweather and even Mr. McBee begin to miss the gentle lion. Will the lion ever return to the library? This is a heartwarming story about when rules should be kept and when they should be broken. The story also shows us that libraries are a fantastic place where even lions are welcome. Artist Kevin Hawkes’ use of acrylic and pencil along with muted tones gives emotion to the characters and add to the magical ambiance of any library. 2006, Candlewick Press, $15.99. Ages 4 to 8.

Peg Glisson (Children's Literature)
When a lion walks into the library, surprising patrons and uptight staff member Mr. McBee, librarian Miss Merriweather is content to “leave him be” since he is not breaking any rules. He wanders around, settling in at story time, where he roars when story time is over for the day. Miss Merriweather comes running, admonishing him about following the library rules. Chastised, he returns early the next day and soon becomes Miss Merriweather’s helpful assistant and a favorite of the young patrons--but not Mr. McBee. When Miss Merriweather falls off her chair and breaks an arm, lion roars to bring Mr. McBee to her assistance and then banishes himself for breaking the rules. His absence extends for days, leading Mr. McBee to search the city for the lion and convince him to come back, assuring him that sometimes it is all right to break a rule. Hawkes’ warm acrylic and pencil illustrations bring an old fashioned look to the book. His library is a blend of old and new--computers and a card catalog. Both Miss Merriweather and Mr. McBee are somewhat stereotyped, but that works in this gentle story. Their expressive faces and the lion’s regal yet friendly stance will draw in readers who hopefully, like lion, will want to explore the many treasures to be found in the library. 2006, Candlewick, $15.99. Ages 5 to 8.

Romare Hodges (Children's Literature)
The library, typically quiet and serene, is a place for studying, undertaking research, and reading. But when a lion, one of the fiercest of all animals, decides to visit the library, it takes many people by surprise. After causing some commotion, the lion becomes comfortable there. At first he has a hard time adjusting to the strict rules of this quiet space but he eventually assimilates. He meets with Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, after letting out a roar inside the library. After the children speak on his behalf, they convince Miss Merriweather to let the lion stay. Soon after, the lion begins to work for Miss Merriweather, from licking envelopes for overdue notices to even helping the young children reach the books on the high shelf. As the lion completely immerses himself into the world of the library, everyone adjusts to his presence--except Mr. McBee, another librarian. A misunderstanding between the lion and Mr. McBee forces the lion to leave. Realizing that the people in the library miss the lion, Mr. McBee amends the wrong by looking for the lion and convincing him to return. This book is an amazing tale of acceptance, emphasizing how worthwhile compromise is for those with a common love. The illustrations complement the story very well. Hawkes’ colorful, vivid illustrations effectively depict the lion as a gentle beast and accurately capture the verbal descriptions. I would definitely recommend this book to any young child who enjoys spending time in the library. 2006, Candlewick Press, $15.99. Ages 7 to 10.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 15))
Knudsen and Hawkes pick a perfect setting to express the idea that breaking rules can sometimes be a good thing. When a lion wanders into a small town public library the Head Librarian, Miss Merriweather, brushes off the protestations of her realistically officious colleague Mr. McBee and allows it to stay-so long as it keeps quiet, doesn't run and makes itself useful cleaning books and licking envelopes while waiting for storytime to begin. Anxious-looking patrons of all ages quickly become accepting ones in Hawkes's soft toned watercolors, and if Miss Merriweather's hair and dress seem a bit stereotypical, occasional CRT monitors balance glimpses of rubber date stamps and a card catalog in his gracious, old style interiors. When Miss Merriweather takes a fall, the lion roars to attract help, then slinks out in shame-but McBee redeems himself by bustling out into the rain to inform the offender that Exceptions to the Rules are sometimes allowed. Consider this a less prescriptive alternative to Eric A. Kimmel's I Took My Frog to the Library (1990), illustrated by Blanche Sims-and it doesn't hurt that the maned visitor is as huge and friendly looking as the one in James Daugherty's classic Andy and the Lion. 2006, Candlewick, 48p, $15.99. Category: Picture book. Ages 6 to 8. © 2006 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Anne Hanson (Library Media Connection, January 2007)
This is the story of a lion that shows up at a library to listen to stories. The lion soon breaks the no-noise rule but gets quiet when he is invited to listen to stories again. He returns each day and is recruited to assist in the library by dusting shelves and helping children reach the books on high shelves. The rules become more flexible when the lion breaks them to become a hero. Beautiful pastel illustrations show a cozy, comfortable library with quiet, happy patrons. The real-life lion in the library will appeal to young readers, but I found this story anachronistic. It needs more action and evidence of relationships between characters to pique the interest of young readers. Additional Selection. 2006, Candlewick Press, 48pp., $15.99 hc. Ages 5 to 8.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2007)
When a lion appears in her library, strict head librarian Miss Merriweather has only one rule for him: "If you cannot be quiet, you will have to leave." The lion does break the rule but with good reason. The humorous acrylic and pencil illustrations, reminiscent of 1950s picture books, add charm to the well-paced story. Category: Picture Books. 2006, Candlewick, 48pp, 15.99. Ages 4 to 9. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.

Cherry Shults (The Lorgnette-Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 19, No. 3))
Miss Merriweather is the head librarian and is very particular about library rules. There is no running allowed, and you must be very quiet. When a lion shows up at the library, no one knows what to do as there are no rules about lions in the library. The lion seems content and very well suited for the library. His big feet are quiet on the floor, and he makes a comfy backrest for the children at story hour, plus he never roars in the library. Although when something terrible happens, the lion helps in the only way he knows how--he roars. The author offers an affectionate ode not just to rules and when to follow them but also to that wonderful place--the library. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades K-6. 2006, Candlewick, Unpaged., $15.99. Ages 5 to 12.