The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright – picture book review

Every now and again a picture book sticks to you like glitter…and, you love it! 

The lion Inside by Rachel Bright is one of those books for us. I can even remember when I bought it. We’d popped out to pick up some goodies on the way to see Great Nanny and Grandad Button, one chilly and pretty rainy day. In the supermarket, half drenched by then, a bright cover leapt from the shelf at me. We were late. But I couldn’t let this one go. 

After reading THIS, I just knew it would be perfect for Little Buttons book shelf:

“You don’t have to be BIG and BRAVE to find your ROAR. Being little isn’t always easy. But when mouse sets off on a journey to find his roar, he discovers that even the smallest creature can have the heart of a lion.”

The Lion Inside 

The Lion Inside is set in a busy African Plain and follows the story of an endearing little Mouse. Mouse is meek and quiet and unfortunately gets forgotten and ignored by everyone. 

We love the comedy moments injected by illustrator Jim Field. We think this gives a sense that the other animals aren’t doing this to be mean, and just simply don’t seem to see Mouse at all.

He longs to be noticed and just can’t help wondering if he was tough and loud like Lion, then maybe things would be different. 

After a few wobbles, Mouse comes to the conclusion that he needs to learn how to roar like Lion in order to be noticed and make friends. 

We get to follow Mouse on his knee-knocking journey up to flat rock where he comes face to face with Lion! It’s full of suspense as he has no idea how Lion will react to him asking for help. There are some gorgeous illustration moments that really make you wonder. But, as it turns out, Lion is absolutely petrified of mice! 

Mouse gets to see the softer side of Lion, and there’s a real feel that Mouse now realises that he’s perhaps not alone in having the wibble-wobbles. -They are just over different things. 

In the end Mouse finds his voice to speak out and there’s a glorious moment where he no longer feels small at all. And of course… they become friends.

Our overall thoughts

Little Button absolutely adores this picture book! I think there’s a lovely sense of achievement through Mouse, which always leaves us smiling at the end. 

It does carry a powerful message, but it’s kept wonderfully fun and light hearted. The beautiful rhyme that loops and weaves through the book makes it a lovely read-out-loud story, something that I always look for, particularly in picture books.

As a parent, I like how Mouse feels like an introverted type of character (we need more of these!). We know he’s not exactly shy as he’s so open to making friends, but takes a little longer to find his feet and voice. -I think many of us can relate to that feeling and it’s a lovely way of showing two different personality types, both different, but also the same. 

It’s definitely one we would recommend!

Pin me for later 😉