Honey... Honey... Lion! A Story from Africa

Jan Brett’s stories are always a fun adventure, but she outdoes herself with this animal-led trip to the Serengeti. Following the honeyguide (a small bird) and the honey badger we explore their symbiotic relationship, revel in the luscious scenery of their African home, and get some fun surprises along the way. Depicted in Brett’s trademark watercolour style which uses picture framing to show multiple storylines, she brings the colourful animals and unique landscape to life as honeyguide tricks badger into meeting a not so friendly member of the animal kingdom - a lion! While the story itself may be a bit of an obvious moral lesson, the exploration of creatures that are far less common to tales of this far away land is sure to spark show more wonder and curiosity! show less

I've never read this relatively new Brett before so I had hopes for it... and it exceeded them! I love the African setting, so un-cliched and educational (and gorgeous). I love the vocabulary for the sounds. I love the structure, the one in the plot and the parallel one in the pictures. I love the primary theme of cooperation.

I'm not so fond of the secondary theme of revenge, but that can be disregarded since no harm was actually done.

My favorite book like this, though, is still [b:We're Going on a Bear Hunt|201126|We're Going on a Bear Hunt|Michael Rosen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388274854l/201126._SX50_.jpg|1974395].

A cute book regarding turning the tide on the other and getting even. In Africa, two animals work together with end end result of sharing the reward. The Honeyguide and the Honey badger are partners. Usually, the honeyguide finds the honeycomb and the honey badger, with long claws, cracks open the honeycomb and both share the reward.

Until, one day, greedy, hungry honey badger selfishly eats all the honey. Honeyguide is not happy and decides to lead a chase to what the badger thinks is his share.

However, on his tail was a huge lion. Badger ran as fast as possible, missing the lion's claws by mere inches.

"Honey... Honey... Lion!" is a story from Africa told by Jan Brett. Every page is filled with vivid illustrations that will certainly keep the attention of young readers. The story follows a honeyguide bird and a honey badger, who are partners on the quest for a sweet treat. One day, badger decides to keep all the honey for himself, which makes honeyguide very angry. So honeyguide repays the badger with a guided encounter with a verocious lion. Badger gets chased back to his hole, and barely escapes the lion's sharp claws. The badger learns to never be greedy again, or he just might get chased by a lion. This is a great book, and a wide range of readers will enjoy reading the story and seeing the beautiful drawings of all of Africa's show more wild and exotic animal life.

For more information about Jan Brett and her work, as well as coloring activities for the classroom, visit: http://www.janbrett.com/ show less

Honey...Honey...Lion! is yet another gorgeously-illustrated folk tale retold by Jan Brett. The side flap informs that while visiting Botswana, Brett was told the true story of honeyguides, birds that leads badgers to local honey sources and also the accompanying legend: "if you don't share the honey, the next time the honeyguide will lead you to a lion!"

As with Brett's other books, within the native folk art-inspired frame that surrounds the action of the main story lies another story. In this case, when the other animals witness the badger's greediness, they engage in "bush telegraph" spreading the news from one animal to the next.

My daughter and I are both big fans of Jan Brett (although for different reasons), and this book did not show more disappoint. There's not as much suspense as in her other books since the title itself is a spoiler, but after so many wonderful stories set in Europe, it was fun to experience one set in Africa. (ages 3-7) show less

While I generally prefer African picture books that focus on African culture or folktales, Jan Brett's illustrations are always outstanding, far superior to her often insipid stories. This book is a good example. Some very poetic picture books are spoiled by substandard illustrations. Brett's illustrations are beautiful and intriguing. The story is a common "build on " story popular with small children and apparently with children's librarians. Brett beats the form to death in most of her books. But the illustrations here as so well researched that I have to give the book a high rating, nonetheless.

This book was very cute and interesting as I had never heard of a honeyguide bird nor a honey badger. I think children would love learning about animals from other countries in the format of this entertaining fantasy! There are many new vocabulary words and animals in the story.