WHEN SOLOMON WAS KING

Young Prince Solomon, heading home empty-handed from his first hunt, comes to the rescue of a wounded lioness and spends the next day—the Sabbath—wandering about in the meadow near the den, marvelling at nature. The years pass and he becomes king, but, over time, begins to suffer from a bad case of self-importance. Out hunting again, he gains a sharp lesson in humility from an eagle, and renews his friendship with the lioness. Solomon sees the light and mends his ways; never again do the Israelites hunt for pleasure. MacGill-Callahan paces the story well, including a measure of suspense in the final pages, but the story is jarringly delivered, with abrupt changes and contrivances that either lose continuity or credibility. Nor are Johnson's formal-looking illustrations compelling; while some have the power of good portraiture, others are overly romantic or stiff with sentimentalism. (Picture book. 4-8)