Are you looking for some Lions children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Lions are a wonderful theme and are filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Lions books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike Lions, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. Lionheart by Richard Collingridge
Richard is convinced that there is a monster lurking in his room at bedtime. Together with his beloved soft toy Lionheart, he runs away from his fears. As he races through the town and countryside with the monster in pursuit, he reaches a magical jungle.
This is where Lionheart transforms into an enormous lion. Get transported to a lush, vibrant jungle in this gorgeously illustrated picture book about facing your fears.
Literacy Extensions:
- Lions Literature List
- Classroom Booklet: “All About Lions”
- Lions Counting
- My Lions Story: Student Worksheets
2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Narnia, the land beyond the wardrobe door, a secret place frozen in eternal winter, a magical country waiting to be set free.
Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor’s mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don’t believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves.
In Narnia they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch. When they meet the Lion Aslan, they realize they’ve been called to a great adventure and bravely join the battle to free Narnia from the Witch’s sinister spell.
Literacy Extensions:
- “If I Were a Lion” Classroom Book
- “Lions Counting” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Lions vs Tigers
- Lions Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
An affectionate storybook tribute to that truly wonderful place: the library.
Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. No running allowed. And you must be quiet. But when a lion comes to the library one day, no one is sure what to do.
There aren’t any rules about lions in the library. And, as it turns out, this lion seems very well suited to library visiting. His big feet are quiet on the library floor. He makes a comfy backrest for the children at story hour. And he never roars in the library, at least not anymore. But when something terrible happens, the lion quickly comes to the rescue in the only way he knows how.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “All About Lions”
- Lions Story Parts Worksheet
- Paper Plat Lion Art Project
- Lions Number & Ten Frame Match Game
4. Lion Lesson by Jon Agee
With the wit and read-aloud appeal of Peter Brown’s Children Make Terrible Pets and William Steig’s Pete’s a Pizza, this funny, fierce picture book teaches kids just what it takes to be a great lion.
There are seven steps to becoming a proper lion, including Looking Fierce, Roaring, Prowling Around, and Pouncing. Our young hero, a rather meek and scrawny human boy, does his best to learn the necessary skills during his training with a master instructor who just happens to be a real lion. After a grueling set of lessons, the boy discovers that that the final step Looking Out for Your Friends is the most important of all. That’s how any kid can earn his lion diploma not to mention the affection of every cat in town.
Literacy Extensions:
- Lions Literature List
- Lions Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Lions Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Footprint Lion Art Project
5. When Your lion Needs a Bath by Susanna Leaonard Hill
When your lion needs a bath, you have to be pretty sneaky! This charming and hilarious board book highlights the many ways to get your lion into that tub!
Does your lion need a bath? When your lion needs a bath, you must be a little sneaky. After all, have you ever met a cat who likes water? So, gather up your towels and rubber ducks and get that lion into the tub! But be careful or you just might end up in the bath, too!
Literacy Extensions:
- “All About Lions” Classroom Book
- Lions Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Lions Paper Plate Art Project
- Lions Add & Subtract Match Game
6. Henry and Leo by Pamela Zagarenski
Leo isn’t just a stuffed toy; he is Henry’s best friend and brother. He is as real as a tree, a cloud, the sun, the moon, the stars, and the wind. But when the two are accidentally separated, no one in Henry’s family believes Leo is real enough to find his way home.
With beautiful mixed-media paintings, the Caldecott Honor winning artist Pamela Zagarenski explores the transcendent nature of friendship and love.
Literacy Extensions:
- Lions Word Bank
- Lions Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Lions Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Lions Roll & Cover Math Games
7. The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright
A bestselling story about confidence, self-esteem, and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar.
In a dry dusty place where the sand sparkled gold, stood a mighty flat rock, all craggy and old. And under that rock in a tankful house, lived the littlest, quietest, meekest brown mouse.
Fed up of being ignored by the other animals, Mouse wishes he could roar like Lion. But, as he discovers, even the biggest, bossiest people are scared sometimes and even the smallest creatures can have the heart of a lion!
Literacy Extensions:
- “All About Lions” Student Booklet
- Lions Make a Short Vowel Word
- Lions Sight Word Games
- Lions Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Sun Flower Lion by Kevin Henkes
A sun. A flower. And a lion. This irresistible picture book is a must-have for every reader and every family. On a warm morning, a little lion sleeps under a sun that shines so brightly, it looks like a flower. He dreams the flower is as big as the sun. He dreams the flower is a cookie. He lets his imagination soar.
The author uses simple shapes, limited colors, and a pitch-perfect text to tell Lion’s story in this transcendent picture book. Sun Flower Lion introduces emerging readers to short chapters, action verbs, and adjectives, while bright illustrations transform simple shapes into something magical.
Sun Flower Lion will shine at story time and bedtime and for young children just learning how to read on their own.
Literacy Extensions:
- “If I Went to the Lions” Classroom Book
- Lions Letter & Sound Match Game
- Lions Build a Word
- Lions Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Lions children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of Lions books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
