A Lion Is a Lion

Art and text use just the right amount of thrills, chills, and comedy to underscore the importance of saying "No" to threatening behavior—even if it was preceded by seemingly innocent fun. The layout of the book is well-suited to the ebullient art and lighthearted text. From start to finish, the spirits of Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak hover happily. Proudly shelve this near The Cat in the Hat and What Do You Say, Dear?
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

In this fun and roaring good picture book, Dunbar shares a story about a lion who gives the appearance of a dapper, polite fellow but reveals his true nature when he tries to turn his human hosts into dessert...This lively cautionary tale makes a engaging storytime selection.
—School Library Journal

The illustrations, composed in ink and paint, and rendered digitally, have a vintage feel and keep the overall tone from being too frightening. Children and adults may respond differently to this tale. The humorous aspects will entertain young readers, while adults could use the book as a model to talk to children about setting personal boundaries.
—Booklist Online

Clean, bouncy lines and bright pops of color in the ink-and-paint illustrations and entertaining language (“Is a lion still a lion if…he skips down the street singing ‘Hoobie-doobie- doo’?”) keep the story light even when the lion threatens to take a bite out of the children.
—The Horn Book