Caring for Your Lion; Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Troy Cummings

Mail order pet mix-up has near cat-astrophic consequences in energetic and fresh picture book.

A little boy is bursting with excitement as it’s finally the day that his new kitten is being delivered. Everything is ready for the new arrival; the bed is made, the food bowl is set, the toys waiting to be played with. But wait, the box looks awfully large for a small kitten. It’s a cat alright, not just the right one. Caring for a lion won’t be easy but thankfully instructions are included. Will the king of the jungle turn out to be the purr-fect pet after all…

Ever ordered something and received something different instead? Can be problematic, right. Caring for Your Lion adds a roar-some twist to the dreaded supermarket-substitution-roulette but instead of lemons being replaced with bananas (both yellow so close enough to swap for one another, right?) a lion is sent to fulfil the order of an out of stock kitten.

Imaginative, quirky and laugh out loud funny, this helpful guide to looking after the most unlikely of pets provides brilliant and mostly foolproof instructions should you ever find yourself having to look after a lion. Giggles galore are in store as fourteen steps of practical advice inform on the best ways to feed, toilet train, bathe, groom, play with and put to bed your lion.

Sparse text is witty, smile-inducing artwork is playful and colourful, and there is an excellent juxtaposition between the two with simple instructions playing out very differently in the illustrations with a lion who has clearly not read their own instruction manual. Crammed with visual gags and very funny little details each vibrant spread invites a closer look and readers will be roaring with laughter at many of the funny scenarios as the reality of lion-caring presents itself in all its chaotic glory. The animal-themed pizza toppings are a personal favourite, not that I’ll be ordering antelope or wildebeest anytime soon!

Brilliant, charming and sure to be returned to time and time again with the added bonus that if you ever get a lion, ordered or otherwise, you’ll be well versed in how to care for it. Perfect inspiration for writing how to guides for other animals.

Recommended for 3+.

With huge thanks to NewSouth Books for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.