When Lions Roar by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Chris Raschka

The author of It’s Perfectly Normal joins forces with a Caldecott Medalist to create this picture book.  It is the story of a young boy who is overwhelmed by a visit to the zoo with all of the animal noises.  He also gets scared of a thunder storm, sirens and mommy and daddy shouting.  When it all becomes too frightening, the boy sits down, shuts his eyes and tells the scary to go away.  And it does.  Then he can hear the quiet again and he stands back up and opens his eyes.  He is off to run in the sunshine, look at nature and hear the softer sounds around him.

This is a simple picture book with lines that don’t rhyme but a rhythm that ties them all together into almost verse.  Harris captures the feeling of a child overwhelmed by noise but also by negative things happening.  I appreciate that the child solves the issue on his own by becoming introspective and mindful and not by having a tantrum.  It is a book about centering oneself and calming down even in a loud environment.  The return to being able to hear the softer things and enjoy your surroundings again is particularly effective.

Rashka’s art is his signature style with loose sweeps of paint in bright colors.  His images are swirls of movement that work very well with the subject matter.  From the noises in the air to the quieter moments, the boy’s entire body language changes as he gives in to the overwhelming feelings first and then recovers from them.

A strong book, this is one that will encourage children to center themselves and be in charge of their own reactions to overstimulation.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Orchard Books.