The Lion and the Bird

When a little bird falls injured at his feet, Lion bandages his wing and takes him in when his flock heads south for the winter. Together the leonine/avian pair spend the cold months together, daily becoming better friends. But when the spring arrives and the bird's flock returns, Lion knows he must bid his friend adieu. After passing a quiet summer and fall on his own, Lion is delighted when Bird returns for another winter together...

Originally published in Canada as Le lion et l'oiseau, this lovely picture-book was translated into English by the wonderful Brooklyn-based Enchanted Lion Books, which specializes in presenting foreign-language children's books to English-speaking children. The story is spare but affecting, capturing in show more its brief text the emotional life of Lion, who discovers the pleasures of companionship, only to be (temporarily) deprived of his companion. His joy, when the bird returns, is keenly felt by the reader. Marianne Dubuc's artwork in The Lion and the Bird is every bit as affecting as her text, with a judicious mix of full-page color spreads, and color illustrations on a white background. One or two spreads consist of mostly white pages with a single visual element - a crocus just blooming, a single note - that draws the reader/peruser's attention to forthcoming narrative developments, be it the coming of spring or the return of the bird. An immensely accomplished example of the picture-book, with text and illustration working seamlessly together, this is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend, to anyone looking for children's stories about friendship, or about the seasons, as well as to anyone who appreciates beautifully illustrated examples of the genre. show less

Some days you just need a gentle book like this.

A story of kindness, of seasons that come and go, and of friendship. The illustrations are simple and so heavenly.

This book holds a special place in my heart. Sometimes letting go is the hardest thing but it can also be the greatest act of love. I think that even as an adult I was able to truly enjoy this book. It teaches children that friendship has no limits and if you truly share an honest bond with someone that connection will always remain. The lion was kind, gentle and so loving I was truly sad and moved by his loneliness and understanding. It is a great gift for a child who moves often or basically anyone as the majority of us will find ourselves in similar situations.

A wonderful tale of friendship. When a lion rescues a bird and bandages his wing, he takes the bird into his home and life. Together, they bond during the cold winter months.

When spring arrives, the lion knows he must say goodbye to his feathered friend. Flying away with his bird companions, the lion is now lonely...until, fall approaches and once again his friend stays the winter.

I enjoyed this soft, tender story with lovely illustrations.

With perfectly sparse text and beautiful, soft, watercolor-and-colored-pencil illustrations, Dubuc tells a simple story about a lion who cares for a wounded bird. The two become friends, but the bird’s migration means they can’t always be together.

The emphasis on gardening through the seasons echoes the motif of the ups, downs, and new beginnings of friendships. This is a beautiful, sweet book.

This book is meant for primary level students. The Lion and the Bird tells a bittersweet tale about a lion who finds an injured bird and nurses him back to health over the winter, though the bird must return to his flock in the spring. This story paints a picture about friendship and goodbyes that may be sad.
This book would be a great story to tell by itself, as it has beautiful watercolor paintings and illustrations that truly make the story what it is. However, it could also be a good lesson for kids struggling with goodbyes, whether it be a friend moving away or having to change schools.

In this story, one autumn day, a lion finds a small wounded bird in his garden. The birds flock leaves, so the lion decides that it's up to him to care for the bird. He does, and the two become fast friends, spending all their time together. When spring comes, the bird's flock returns and he departs with them. The lion is left alone and lonely. But then the bird returns again when his flock leaves, to spend the winter with lion and the friends are together once again!