If I Were a Lion

Amazon.com

How could such a sweet little red-haired girl's mother accuse her of being wild? Worse still, how could she possibly make her sit in the time-out chair? That's precisely what this little girl wonders as she sits in the chair and lets her imagination (but not her manners, no way!) run wild: "If I were a lion,/ I'd growl and roar/ and knock the dishes/ on the floor./ I'd scare the hair/ right off the cat,/ but do you see me doing that?" Heather M. Solomon, also the illustrator of Clever Beatrice, captures the wildness in the little girl's mind in fantastic watercolor and gouache paintings. In the "growl and roar" spread, a ferocious lion is standing on two legs, open-jawed, in the ultra-artsy kitchen, breaking the dishes as the little girl looks on, wide-eyed and innocent. "Wild has feathers./ Wild has scales./ Wild has whiskers, tusks, and tails," she insists, surrounded by a made-up menagerie of owls, parrots, toucans, Old World chameleons, horned toads, snakes, walruses, seals, and fish in a bucket. We all know she protests too much: the title page reveals exhibit A--a childlike lion picture scrawled on the wall and a knocked-over cereal box. (Preschool to age 6) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

I'm sitting in the time-out chair because my mother put me there. She said, "You try my patience, child! I do not like it when you're wild."

Wild?

Who me?
That is so absurd.
How could she even use that word?

If I were a lion.
I'd growl and roar
And knock the dishes on the floor...

AND if I were a bear...

If I Were a Lion is a book for every child who's ever been sent to the time-out chair -- unjustly...or otherwise!

Customer Reviews:

A Must Have!.......2007-03-16

This book must have been written about my daughter and I, and countless other mothers and their daughters! VERY CUTE STORY and GREAT ILLUSTRATIONS! My daughter is 7 and she loves to read this book to me at least once a week. Buy it, you will be glad you did.

I love it!.......2006-10-28

I love this book. It expresses so much of the little girl's personality and her sassiness! The illustrations are wonderful and compliment well a beautifully written story.

IF I WERE A LION I WOULDN'T BUY THIS BOOK.......2006-01-28

A WILD, YOUNG GIRL IS IN TIME-OUT & TALKS ABOUT ALL THE ANIMALS THAT ARE WILD COMPARED TO HER. CHECK THIS OUT FROM THE LIBRARY BEFORE BUYING IT. I'D RECOMMEND 'BAD CAT' INSTEAD.

Oh my gosh is this a cute book!.......2005-04-15

A chubby-cheeked, big-eyed cutie directly addresses the reader, seeking to defend herself after her mommy gives her a time out. Her explanation reveals a vivid imagination that turns her playroom stuffed animals into real wild animals that come alive to wreak hypothetical chaos.

I have to say that one of the things I like best about the illustrations is that her contemporary playroom actually looks like my kids' playroom, crammed with legos, doll house, barbies, baby dolls, etc. I cringe that my kids may get ideas about drawing on the walls from this story, but this is too cute a book to let that get in the way of enjoying it.

If I ... Were the King...of the Forest!!!, .......2005-04-03

After our young hero knocks her lasagna dinner on the floor, her mother sends her to the proverbial corner time-out chair for being "wild." The little redhead protests, all big-eyed and incredulous:

"Wild? Who me? That's so absurd. How could she even use that word?"

And to prove herself innocent of this outrageous charge, she fantasizes what she would do if she were REALLY wild. She trots outs a series of hypotheticals in a defense worthy of Louis Nizer or Perry Mason:

If I were a lion,
I'd growl and I'd roar
And knock the dishes on the floor.

I'd scare the hair
right off the cat,
but do you see me
doing that?

No, in fact, we don't! Case closed? Not yet, for we see that her imagination running wild (in some of the best illustrations of the year). There's a large tawny lion with a reddish mane (that suggests blood), standing and roaring in the kitchen amid smashed dishes and one terribly frightened cat! On the next page, she explains that, were she guilty, were she really wild, she'd be a ferocious bear: "I'd scratch and poke and pierce and tear, not sit here nicely in my chair." Dynamic, richly detailed pictures of other wild animals accompanying some clever poetic arguments serve to further her case.

This funny and entertaining book gently recognizes how difficult it can be to take responsibility, and the imaginative lengths to which kids (and many adults) will go to find a convincing alibi. As stated above, the pictures are simply outstanding; Heather Solomon gets the most out of the popular watercolor/gouache format. Her very expressive pictures have compositional and textural strength--she does wonders with rhino hide. Sarah Weeks' story captures resentful imagination very well, but also shows its transient nature. The girl's thoughts stray from wild animals to tamer ones (e.g. an owl, a bunny, reptiles, and even lambs) in a psychological statement that we have both angry and tender thoughts. Week's poetry has a very inventive style, with a hint of Tin Pan Alley in one series: "Mother doesn't realize/that lions don't apologize/ But when she does, then she will see, the opposite of wild...is me." I recommend this exceptional book very highly; it's one of the year's best.

If Only I Were... (Another Sommer-Time Story) (Another Sommer-Time Story)

Average customer rating:

Great lesson on the ugly green monster
We all dream about being someone else.
Adorable!
"If Only I Were Scores Big in Teaching Self-Acceptance

If Only I Were... (Another Sommer-Time Story) (Another Sommer-Time Story)
Carl Sommer
Manufacturer: Advance Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1575370026

Book Description

Missy the mouse has a very big problem—she's dissatisfied with who she is and what she looks like. She thinks her ears are too big and her tail is too skinny. Even worse, Horace the cat is constantly chasing her, and she can't do anything about it! If only she could be as big and beautiful as Horace, then all her problems would be gone. One day, while being chased by Horace, Missy wishes herself into becoming a big cat. Her wish comes true, and she chases Horace. Missy is delighted that she is now the biggest and most beautiful cat in the whole world. But she quickly discovers that cats have serious problems with dogs. As Missy wishes herself into becoming bigger and stronger creatures, she discovers that everyone has problems. Missy finally learns to accept herself for what she is. Grades k-3

Customer Reviews:

Great lesson on the ugly green monster.......2000-10-09

Envy...the thing that makes us think that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Kids struggle with it as much as adults do. This was a great book that teaches kids that no matter who you are, you will have difficulties.

We all dream about being someone else........2000-09-21

If Only I Were...., is a great story about a typical grey mouse, who is sick of getting chased around by a large cat. Of course, she wishes to be something else, first a great big cat, then other types of animals, once she becomes a human she really wants to be a mouse again. The story is fun and the pictures are very detailed-look around when you read this book, you'll see all the great fine points the vivid color illustrations bring out.

Adorable!.......2000-09-15

Every little dreamer who's wanted to be someone else will love this story. Little Missy finds out all too well how that wish is a futile mistake and actually creates more problems for her. I liked it because it touches the issue of self-esteem. It would be a valuable conversation starter for any parent or teacher.

"If Only I Were Scores Big in Teaching Self-Acceptance.......2000-06-30

Carl Sommer does an awesome job of teaching kids the value of self-acceptance through Missy the mouse. Missy's journeys throughout the zoo change her into different animal characters. Each time wishing she was a different animal that was stronger, faster, larger until her experiences leave her empty and wishing she was her old self. My 3 year old loved this book. As he struggles with having curly red hair and freckles, this book taught him it is o.k. to be who you are and that wishing you were someone else does not always make you happy. Our family was able to use this story as a spring board for discussions on being happy with who you are and what attributes you have been given. Definitely worthy for younger readers! I rate this an A+ and will definitely keep it handy for future discussions on this topic! Excellent!

Average customer rating:

Woody's illustrations are excellent fun
Excellent!!
If I Were an Animal!

If I Were an Animal

Manufacturer: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews:

Woody's illustrations are excellent fun.......2007-01-11

This is a superb "family" book for those who have children of differing ages. "Woody's" bold colours, strong lines, whimsical details, and large images are just the thing for a two year old through seven year old. Younger children will love the delightful large pictures and turning the "magic" split pages to reveal the animal, and older children will enjoy remembering and learning the simple words repeated throughout the story.

My review is contained to four stars simply because it is too short. While certainly a value, as the book will be selected over and over by your brood, it is just short by two or three animals to keep the magic alive that much longer.

Excellent crowd pleaser and pass-along treasure.

Excellent!!.......2002-08-22

This is a must have for toddlers. We read it at least 5 times a day. A great way for children to build vocabulary.

If I Were an Animal!.......2000-04-13

I used this book for library story time and I had to read it twice! All the children wanted to take this book home with them! Very bright and bold pictures. A few of the animals were tough to guess the first time through.

Average customer rating:

If I Were a Toad
Diane Paterson
Manufacturer: Dial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0803748035

Average customer rating:

A great children's book
Grandsons loved it!
Wonderful Children's Book
Classic Childrens Book!!
Wonderful book!

If I Were a Monkey
Darla Batchler , Sydney Batchler , and Jimmy Batchler
Manufacturer: Falcon Publishing (TX)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0974695920

Book Description

If I Were A Monkey is a fun, warm look into what it might be like to be an animal only to discover it is best just to be who you are.

The story comes to life through the imagination of Batchler's two young children and intriguing illustrations of TX artist Kitty Parris who made sure the illustrations fit the imagery.

Customer Reviews:

A great children's book.......2005-08-06

We've given these books away as gifts to families with young children and it has been a "hit"! The story line is very cute and the graphics are adorable. Highly recommended for gifts.

Grandsons loved it!.......2005-07-30

I read Darla's book to my grandsons, ages 5 & 3, for their bedtime story. They loved it and asked me to read it several times to them that night. They thought the pictures were cute and each grandson picked out the animal that was their favorite. The book has such a simple truth to it that we often forget - just be happy with who we are. Darla and her children deserve a special 'Thank You' for sharing their talents in creating this book for us to enjoy.

Wonderful Children's Book.......2005-07-29

Our one-year old loves to read 'If I Were a Monkey'. The book is simply, but cleverly written and has a subtle message that encourages children to explore, but to value who they are. I believe this will be a book he continue reading as he gets older. Great Job!

Classic Childrens Book!!.......2005-07-29

The illistrations in this book are almost as precious as the message in the story! This is a treasure & a classic in the making......

Wonderful book!.......2005-07-27

My teenage sons and my 5-year old nephew thoroughly enjoy this book. It is absolutely wonderful!

Average customer rating:

Homeschool book

If I Were a Penguin
Heidi Goennel
Manufacturer: Little Brown & Co (Juv)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0316318418

Customer Reviews:

Homeschool book.......2007-07-03

Bought this for homeschool. It's not the most fascinating book, but it works for the topic of animals. Very simple text and colorful, simplified illustrations.

Another Sommer-Time Story If Only I Were... with CD Read-Along (Another Sommer-Time Story Series)

Average customer rating:

Another Sommer-Time Story If Only I Were... with CD Read-Along (Another Sommer-Time Story Series)
Carl Sommer
Manufacturer: Advance Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1575375028

Book Description

Another Sommer-Time Story If Only I Were... with CD Read-Along (Another Sommer-Time Story)

Average customer rating:

Another Sommer-Time Story If Only I Were... with CD Read-Along (Another Sommer-Time Story)
Carl Sommer
Manufacturer: Advance Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1575377020

Book Description

Average customer rating:

Wonderful

If I Were a Cricket ...
Kazue Mizumura
Manufacturer: Harpercollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0690000766

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2004-06-12

This book is wonderful. Though it is listed as a Kids Book, it is moving for any adult. I can not read it to my children without at least one tear. I would recommend it as a gift for anyone 5 - 105!

Average customer rating:

If I Were A Manatee
M. Timothy O'Keefe
Manufacturer: Larsens Outdoor Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0936513500

Book Description

This educational and entertaining book has puzzles, riddles, mazes and word games, including spelling challenges, hidden messages, etc. Kids will learn facts like what an average manatee weighs, how fast manatees can swim, how many pounds of food a manatee eats each day, how long they have been on earth and many other fun facts about these gentle giants.

Average customer rating:
The Sport Americana Basketball Card Price Guide and Alphabetical Checklist/Number 3/Illustrated and Unabridged (Sport Americana Basketball Card Price Guide & Alphabetical C)
James Beckett
Manufacturer: Edgewater Book Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0937424706

Book Description

Whether you want to add a touch of classic opulence indoors or maybe a cool, contemporary minimalist garden, this guide offers you a whole palette of colors to choose from. Explore the power of color and how it can be used to create the environment that you want.

Colour in your winter garden with flowers, fruits and foliage

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Colour in your winter garden with flowers, fruits and foliage
Robert A Nicholson
Manufacturer: Douglas, David & Charles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0889140219

Average customer rating:

Colour Your Garden
Mary Keen
Manufacturer: Conran Octopus Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Landscape | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1850293325

Book Description

All in color! Use color in the garden the way a painter uses it on canvas: to create mood, atmosphere, and special effects. In photographs that will bring out the gardener in anyone, use the six color categories to see what each can do. Blues give a feeling of space and peace to any composition. Vivid reds add drama to a border. Greens form the backdrop and add texture. Grays dim and soften, white brightens, and yellows offer radiant light. Mix them up for a wider palette, and take advantage of seasonal hues. 18 exquisite gardening plans will help you design planting schemes that calm, cheer, excite, and impress. Bonus

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