Official Review: The Story of an Ordinary Lion

[L_Therese]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Story of an Ordinary Lion" by Janet Doolaege.]

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The Story of an Ordinary Lion by Janet Doolaege is a retelling of the legend of St. Jerome and the Lion from the lion’s perspective. According to legend, theological scholar and noted translator Jerome pulled a thorn from the paw of a lion. The lion then refused to leave Jerome’s monastery and was charged with the protection of the monks’ donkey. When the donkey went missing, the monks thought the lion had eaten it, but the donkey was later found alive, proving the lion innocent of the alleged crime. Because of this story, St. Jerome is often depicted with a tamed lion at his feet.

The Story of an Ordinary Lion is a children’s book. The story is brief and fairly straightforward. The writing style, while not over-simplified, is sufficiently basic to allow a young reader to understand and humorous enough to hold a child’s interest. The presentation from the lion’s point of view is particularly charming, and it allows not only the lion to speak, but also the donkey, a herd of goats, and a few camels to chime in.

One thing I look for in children’s books is the underlying messages. Not every book includes these on purpose, but there are themes, whether implicit or explicit, in all books, and I think it particularly important to note them when I consider recommending a book for a child. In this book, Leo the lion learns important truths about guilt and innocence. He learns the importance of keeping an open mind, about humility, about duty, and about forgiveness and grace. He is falsely accused, reviled, and unable to defend himself, yet he continues to act with humility and quiet grace, biting back his anger and working to vindicate his good name. Without doubt, the lessons Leo learns in this book are ones from which any child could benefit.

The Story of an Ordinary Lion is also pleasing stylistically. As an adult reading a children’s book, I try to imagine myself reading it aloud. In this book, the potential to make such an activity amusing for both child and adult is certainly present. The different characters have remarkably unique voices, and Ms. Doolaege was able to use a mildly dry humor throughout that will keep an adult reading aloud engaged while not encouraging sarcasm in impressionable young minds. It’s a difficult balance and not one that I see too often.

I am rating this book 3 out of 4 stars. If I had children, I would certainly encourage them to read this book. I think they would find it not only entertaining, but also subtly informative about a more obscure legend. I am impressed by the lessons a child would learn and the skill with which these are taught. This may not be a book with which a child will fall in love and read again and again until it falls apart, but it is without doubt a book that a child will read at least once and enjoy thoroughly while doing so.

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[Paliden]

Great review! This looks like a book I would enjoy reading with my children.

[BrooklynnEnns]

Hmmmm! I'll have to check it out! I am very interested!

[Aspen_Reads]

I think that this would be a great book to read to children! If I have children, I will definitely be reading this with them!

[superbookgirl1989]

Nice review thanks.

[Janiac02]

I'll keep this in mind next time I'm gift shopping for a child! Very informative review.