Title: The Lion and the Rat
Author/ Illustrator: Brian Wildsmith
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication Date: 1963
Awards: None
Genre: Fable
Audience: Gr. 2, 3

Overview: One day a rat encounters a lion. The rat is scared but the lion decides to let the rat go. When the rat vows that he will return the favor to the lion, the lion laughs. He is the lord of the jungle, when will he ever need the help of a tiny, little rat? Wildsmith’s amazing illustrations bring life and color to this incredible account of La Fontaine’s classic fable.

Activity: Have students write and illustrate a story of a tiny, little creature that also helps to save a large, strong animal.

Reviewer’s Name: Tommy Kurtzman