Will he come? Won’t he come? Will he come and play?
Will the mighty lion come and play with us today?
Tom and Tilly excitedly wait. They search the house in case the lion is hiding. Dad says he’s off for a nap, and then…
A thump, a crunch and a roar, and the mighty lion comes though the door.
Of course, the lion is really Dad playing. Tom and Tilly enjoy lion rides, play chases and have loving lion cuddles.
I adore this book for so many reasons.
Firstly, the story is just wonderfully fun to read. Written in beautifully flowing rhyme, with engaging repetition, it’s got a bouncy and addictive rhythm that makes it perfect to read aloud. Perfect for reading to groups, too.
The illustrations by Briony Stewart are stunning. Detailed and softly coloured, the pictures are full of life, and they invite you into this family's world, making you feel like you're part of it. These are illustrations with magic powers. They'll make you feel all warm inside and entice your hands to touch all the pages.
And then there are the beautiful themes: love, family and the special bond between kids and their fathers. I love how this picture book shines a light on dads and the unique kind of adventurous fun they seem to be so good at.
The Lion in our Living Room is a gorgeous picture book both children and adults will enjoy. Fun and engaging to read with divine illustrations, it will make you smile and spark ideas for new games to play with Dad (if the kids haven't already played them!).
Title: The Lion in our Living Room
Author: Emma Middleton
Illustrator: Briony Stewart
Publisher: Affirm Press, $24.99
Publication Date: 26 September 2017
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925584226
For ages: 2+
Type: Picture Book
