The basic idea behind the book is good: that you don't have to be defined by a label or others perception of what you should be or are supposed to be, but I'm not sure whether a lion and a duck being together as friends is interesting enough for repeat reading.

But a good concept nonetheless.

Is there only one way to be a lion?

Stylistically distinct, Vere also uses simple but effective ideas to make a point (Banana is one of my favourite picture books). With bold Maisy Mouse-like colours and sparse text, he tells a story for children everywhere about being and standing up for yourself, even when it doesn't match what everyone expects.

Leonard is very much like Ferdinand the Bull (Munro Leaf), a gentle soul who doesn't fit the mould of his species and has no wish to pretend. He's a poet, a philosopher... and finds his soulmate in Marianne the Duck. But the other lions think he should be chomping his new friend up. Can they persuade the other carnivores that there is more than one way to 'be'?

I loved the solution to the problem, how Leonard and Marianne try to show the lions a better way. A perfect poem to teach children which encapsulates both Leonard's situation but also a wider moral one.

Visually wonderful to look at, very bold, and a simple enough story for preschoolers aged 3 and above. It could still be used effectively with school-aged children in circle time/PSHE activities.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance e-copy.

This is a really awesome book for children!
I think it is important to understand that to be introvert isn't something that is wrong... something that has to get fixed. To be an extrovert isn't the only right way to exist... in fact: the world need introverts for their ability to be emphatic and to think analytic or creative.
I think this book helps introverts to feel more confident and can help extroverts to understand that not everybody has to be like they are.
Furthermore I had the feeling that there's another level, which tells boys that they don't have to chase after girls in a primitive or an animally way... that's not the right way to act, when it comes to relationships between men and women. This is an important topic, too.

What I want to say is: I think this is an awesome educational book for children. Only if we teach our young the society has a real chance to change in something better.

With a crunch and a chomp, this story of a poetry-loving lion will have you hooked as we learn that you don’t have to be what people expect you to be; it’s okay to just be yourself.

I can’t wait to see this book with the illustrations; I love Ed Vere’s work, especially Grumpy Frog, and I really want to see his story of Leonard come to life! However, just going on the text alone, this is a fantastic book that little ones will love. I can imagine that reading it aloud is great fun with all the rhymes!

I really enjoyed reading How To Be A Lion and am definitely going to be adding it to my collection of favourite picture books!

This is a wonderful story, perfect for repeated reading. Utilising the lion and the ideas people have about them the story is crafted to ask questions about what it means to meet expectations.
It actually challenges one key element that I think is causing problems for teens today; the strive to be perfect and not make mistakes. It’s lovely to see the message that it’s okay to make mistakes, to not be perfect and no agree with everyone.

I cannot wait to read this to my nephew.

This is a more 'grown up' picture book than some of the books my five year old son is used to, but nevertheless he still enjoyed reading through it with me. The language at times is complex, so not really suitable for his beginner reading level, but it was a good introduction to the concept of poetry. It also has a strong moral, which my son picked up on himself, without any prompting from me.

Leonard the Lion is always being told that he should roar to be heard, be wild, and eat ducks! Surely, lions don't write poetry, do they?

But Leonard has his own way of being what he is. He uses words without having to roar, he likes poetry, and his best friend is Marianne the Duck!

"There are so many ways that you can be you"

How to Be a Lion is a brilliant story of being yourself in your own, selected and special way. There's more than one way of being yourself, and you have the right to discover that yourself! A sweet, wonderful story about individuality, it will make you and your child love Leonard the Lion and his poetry!