THE LION'S SHARE

Chris Conover (Adventures of Simple Simon, 1989) sets her lavish tale in an empire of cats. King Leo Golden Mane has coffers of gold but since he can't read or write, he rules his kingdom with the sound of his roar. King Leo is bothered by a rumor that another ruler, King Otto of the North, has a palace lined with unnamed treasure greater than his own. When Prince Leo II is born, King Leo considers it a blessing that the lion cub has wings. One day Prince Leo II is swept into the air as a breeze lifts him and he finds himself airborne. But, because the Prince does not yet know how to fly, he crash lands in a tree. It's an auspicious crash, for Prince Leo has landed in front of King Otto's palace. Otto cares for Leo who soon discovers that the treasures lining Otto's walls are called books and inside each one is a wondrous tale. When Prince Leo II at last returns home he brings with him the great gifts of reading and wisdom. The artwork is sumptuous, rendered with shade and tone that balances the use of radiant colors. Conover draws the feline characters with affection, accuracy, and astonishing detail. Even the endpapers are decorated with an intricately illustrated alphabet game. In this glorious oversized picture book Conover imparts a persuasive message in the guise of a fairytale of classic grandeur. (Picture book. 4-8)