Literature for Library Lions

When I introduced our lion theme earlier this month, I promised to report back with our favorite lion books. Be sure to visit your local library if you want to check out some of these fun lion tales!



Tawny Scrawny Lion by Kathryn Jackson - If you can get past the illogical biology of a lion chasing kangaroos and rabbits who eat fish, this classic Little Golden Book is a cute, though ridiculous, story. Language that describes the lion looking "fat as butter, sleek as satin, and jolly as all get out" lends an amusingly dated charm to the book.

The Happy Lion by Louise Fatio - This 50 year old classic is my favorite of the lion fiction books that we read. The Happy Lion lives in a French zoo and enjoys visits from friends who say, "Bonjour, Happy Lion!" My library system only had this book by author Louise Fatio, but there are several sequels available through Amazon.

Roar!: A Noisy Counting Book by Pamela Duncan Edwards - While I wouldn't exactly classify it as high-quality literature, Hayden frequently requested this brightly illustrated counting rhyme about a lion cub who goes in search of playmates.

Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty - Another book that has stood the test of time, this retelling of Androcles and the Lion has a simple message about the power of kindness. The boys enjoyed the fact that Andy happens to carry a pair of pliers in his overalls, which he uses to remove a thorn from a lion's paw. My personal irritation with this book: the text is in all caps, and sentences span across pages, leaving little time to contemplate the illustrations unless the reader pauses at random times in the middle of a sentence.

Usborne's Daniel and the Lions by Heather Amery - Like many Usborne books, this Bible story can be read as a condensed book with the lines at the top of the page, or a more complete story by including the lines at the bottom of the page. With the possible exception of the lion's den illustration, it stays true to the Biblical account of Daniel in the lion's den.

The Story of Daniel in the Lions' Den by Michael McCarthy - This retelling offers warm watercolor and colored pencil illustrations. Even more impressive, the thorough account of Daniel's life is told completely in verse.

The Lion and the Little Red Bird by Elisa Kleven - Although the thoughtful, quiet lion bears little resemblance to the actual king of beasts, this unique story has a whimsical charm and captivating illustrations.

St. Jerome and the Lion by Margaret Hodges - This well-crafted retelling of a monk named Jerome and his tame lion has a subtle message about judgement and justice. Though the lion does not talk, his human-like actions and emotions are vividly portrayed through the words and illustrations. The lengthy text and darker, realistic paintings that illustrate the opposite pages make this book best suited for reading out loud to children over age 4.

The Life Cycle of a Lion by Bobbie Kalman - Of the several nonfiction books we borrowed, this one was our favorite thanks to its colorful, glossy pages and suitable amount of text. Donny really enjoyed listening to the accompanying CD and turning the pages at just the right time. Older children could participate in the "quick quiz" that asks questions to about the material that is being read.

And of course, there is the account of Daniel in the Bible, along with several verses that mention lions, including this wonderful reminder of God's provision:

The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:10

It is so true! We learned the details of how lions catch their prey (and that they succeed in only three out of every ten hunts), and I do not envy their lifestyle...even if they do spend 20 hours a day lounging! How thankful I am that our God is faithful to those who fear Him. He fills us with such good things!

Lion Beneath the Lamb

The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.

Isaiah 11:6

Scripture Memory with Preschoolers

I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
- Psalm 119:11

As Christians, we are responsible to read and know God's Word. As parents, we are responsible to teach His Word to our children. Psalm 119:11 is a great reminder that memorizing and meditating on Scripture helps us to avoid sin. But how can we teach our youngest children the beautiful benefits of hiding God's Word in our hearts? Here are a few ideas for helping toddlers and preschoolers memorize Scripture that work for me!

1. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Hearing anything over and over tends to imprint it in our memory. To memorize Scripture, simply repeating verses can be one of the most effective methods. Greeting each morning with "This is the day that the Lord has made!" or saying the same verse before bed each night (I like Psalm 4:8) will help even young toddlers to memorize the familiar words. Try saying a verse of the week (or month) before every meal or every time you drive in the car. Children also learn when we use Scripture throughout the day, demonstrating how God's Word fits each situation. One of the first verses I taught Donny was "Be joyful always," followed by "A cheerful heart is good medicine" to remind him to have a good attitude, even as a young toddler. My children have also heard me repeat, "Children obey your parents in everything," many times. If I cue them with the first word or two of one of these verses, they can easily finish it!

2. Create a book of verses. As a homeschooling project, I started verse binders with the boys last fall. I type and print out a verse relevant to our theme unit on cardstock. Each child decorates his own copy, and then I slip the finished products inside sheet protectors in a three ring binder. For example, we did leaf rubbings around the words "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life," and cut out magazine pictures of fruit for the Fruit of the Spirit. Every day we practice saying the verses together as we look through the binder. The children love to look back at their work, and the art provides a visual clue to remind them of the words. At the end of the year, they will have their own special book of Bible verses that they have memorized, as well as a sampling of the fine motor skills they practiced throughout the year.

3. Read a devotional. Devotionals for children can be a fun way to introduce particular verses and passages. My boys and I really enjoyed working through Susan Hunt's My ABC Bible Verses. It was a great way to review letters and learn Scripture at the same time! Now we are reading God's Wisdom for Little Boys by Jim and Elizabeth George (a Little Girls is available too). While it lacks the stories of application found in the ABC verses, the illustrations depict a character trait for each highlighted verse from Proverbs, teaching young children how to apply the wisdom of Proverbs in their own lives.

4. Sing a song. Many people find this to be the easiest method of memorization...just think of how many commercial jingles and TV show theme songs you know! Whether you sing a verse-based song like "Rejoice in the Lord Always" (Philippians 4:4) or "Trust in the Lord" (Proverbs 3:5-6) or set a verse to a familiar tune, young children will quickly learn the words. You may even hear them singing Scripture throughout the day, a sound that always delights my ears! My boys and I especially love Steve Green's Hide 'Em in Your Heart CDs and accompanying DVDs (ours came together as a set). They have learned several verses just by listening to and singing along with these Scripture-based songs. Even before he turned two, Hayden was singing, "Do everything without complaining; do everything without arguing," an important lesson from Philippians 2:14.

For an excellent discussion of this subject, check out Teri Maxwell's Mom's Corners series on Scripture Memory. Part 1 and Part 2 specifically discuss memorization and young children. Besides giving our children a firm foundation in God's Word, learning Bible verses together helps parents to remember God's commands, too. Making a commitment to memorize Scripture benefits the entire family!

I would love to read your comments and ideas...How do you help your little ones hide God's Word in their hearts?