Little Lion Girl

PreS-Gr 1–The city roars like a jungle, and Leonie roars back. As she explores the bustling streets with her mother, she embraces her inner lion, shaking her imaginary mane and swishing her tail. But when her boldness leads her away from her mother’s side, the city suddenly feels ominous and bleak. Hope’s rhythmic, declarative sentences mirror a child’s shifting confidence, building to a triumphant climactic spread where Leonie declares, “I am the king of this city!” before her courage falters. Woodcock’s mixed-media illustrations, created with hand-cut stencils, acrylic paint, colored pencils, oil pastels, and blow pens, bring texture and warmth to the cityscape. Bold compositions place Leonie among towering legs and fluttering pigeons, emphasizing both her wild spirit and small stature. Some background figures subtly resemble animals (i.e., a commuter with a giraffe-like coiffure and long neck, a motion-blurred denizen wearing cheetah print) enhancing the story’s imaginative tone. Leonie and her mother are white, while the diverse city feels inclusive, with people of various skin tones and those using wheelchairs and canes. A visually rich and emotionally resonant read, this book celebrates a little girl’s agency and courage while acknowledging that even the bravest cubs sometimes need home.