The Lion and the Bird

Marc Notes: First published in French in 2013 by Les Editions de la Pasteque under title: Le lion et l'oiseau."Brief Description: "The Lion and the Bird" is a sensitive, beautiful, an utterly charming fable about generosity, kindness and true friendship. Biographical Note: Marianne Dubuc: Marianne Dubuc received her degree in graphic design from the University of Quebec in Montreal. She writes and illustrates many different kinds of books for readers of all ages. Once she has sold lots of books, she will move into a crystal castle with 22 cars, her grandmother and a canary. Currently, she lives happily with her husband and children and enjoys busy, creative days. She has become an internationally acclaimed since 2010. Her book "In Front of My House," has sold over 50,000 copies in 12 different languages and was a finalist for the 2011 Deutsche Jugendliteratur Preis. Review Quotes: "The intimacy of friendship, as well as the bittersweet sweep of time, is exquisitely rendered in this spare story of a kindly lion who rescues an injured bird flying south for winter . . . A much needed antidote to the speed of the world, this picture book by French Canadian Dubuc is one to savor." - STARRED REVIEW, Karen Cruze, Booklist "The Lion and the Bird (Enchanted Lion, May 2014), is a tender and moving story of friendship . . . There's a lot of emotion, Dubuc conveying a great deal with her soft lines and warm palette" -- Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast "The Lion and the Bird is ineffably wonderful, the kind of treasure to which the screen and the attempted explanation do no justice -- a book that, as it was once said of The Little Prince, will shine upon your soul, whether child or grown-up, "with a sidewise gleam" and strike you "in some place that is not the mind" to glowing there with inextinguishable light." -- Brain Pickings ." . . full of subtle humor and drama that resonates rather than disappears. This is a friendship story full of empathy and beauty. . . . The clearly-rendered illustrations feature a muted palette that perfectly matches the tone of the story." -- School Library Journal "Dubuc excels at capturing emotions visually. The angle of Lion's posture, with a single nuanced line for his mouth, evinces joy or sadness. White space--sometimes whole pages--speaks its own language of loss and hope . . . A sensitive, uplifting meditation." -- Kirkus Reviews "The Lion and the Bird is the kind of book that will endure time and bring hours of thought and conversation about friendship, diversity and seasons. It is simply a beautiful creation--and my pick for this year's Caldecott." -- 36 Pages "It's a remarkably moving, and--considering it features two animals--deeply human story." -- STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly "This is the kind of story that enriches your soul and leaves you feeling hopeful and happy. Both you and your child will want to linger over the pages and fully take in all there is to see with the beautiful illustrations." -- Smart Books for Smart Kids "Dubuc's art is exceptional . . . A noteworthy picture book, this new title by Dubuc is charming and warm." -- Waking Brain Cells "Pretty much by definition, quiet books tend to fly under the radar. Some rightfully so, as the wick is turned down so low it struggles to keep from extinguishing completely. But then you have books like "The Lion and the Bird" by Marianne Dubuc (Animal Masquerade) - full of subtle humor and drama that resonates rather than disappears. This is a friendship story full of empathy and beauty." -- "100 Scope Notes" "Dubuc's charming, pastel-hued illustrations convey gentle humor and genuine feeling. The story's measured pacing allows readers to discover and relish each emotional nuance. A lovely choice to share and savor."-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library JournalReview Quotes:"It's a remarkably moving, and--considering it features two animals--deeply human story. Ages 4-up." -- STARRED REVIEW, "Publishers Weekly" "Dubuc's pictures have a charming, naive appeal. Against muted washes of brown, blue and green, colored pencils delineate Lion's home and garden in simple, rounded shapes. Lion's accommodations for his tiny guest will conjure smiles: The bird sleeps in a slipper and relaxes in a little box by the fire. A sensitive, uplifting meditation." -- "Kirkus Reviews" "Pretty much by definition, quiet books tend to fly under the radar. Some rightfully so, as the wick is turned down so low it struggles to keep from extinguishing completely. But then you have books like "The Lion and the Bird" by Marianne Dubuc (Animal Masquerade) - full of subtle humor and drama that resonates rather than disappears. This is a friendship story full of empathy and beauty." -- "100 Scope Notes" "Once in a long while, a children's book comes by that is so gorgeous in sight and spirit, so timelessly and agelessly enchanting, that it takes my breath away. "The Lion and the Bird" by French Canadian graphic designer and illustrator Marianne Dubuc is one such rare gem -- the tender and melodic story of a lion who finds a wounded bird in his garden one autumn day and nurses it back to flight as the two deliver one another from the soul-wrenching pain of loneliness and build a beautiful friendship, the quiet and deeply rewarding kind." -- "Brain Pickings" "Dubuc's charming, pastel-hued illustrations convey gentle humor and genuine feeling. The story's measured pacing allows readers to discover and relish each emotional nuance. A lovely choice to share and savor."-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library JournalReview Quotes: Selected as the 2014 "Booklist" Editors' Choice Top of the List--Picture Book selection"Brain Pickings" #1 Best Picture Book of 2014. #1 Best Picture Book of 2014 for "Smart Books for Smart Kids" "The intimacy of friendship, as well as the bittersweet sweep of time, is exquisitely rendered in this spare story of a kindly lion who rescues an injured bird flying south for winter . . . A much needed antidote to the speed of the world, this picture book by French Canadian Dubuc is one to savor." - STARRED REVIEW, "Booklist" "The Lion and the Bird (Enchanted Lion, May 2014), is a tender and moving story of friendship . . . There's a lot of emotion, Dubuc conveying a great deal with her soft lines and warm palette" -- Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast "The Lion and the Bird is ineffably wonderful, the kind of treasure to which the screen and the attempted explanation do no justice -- a book that, as it was once said of The Little Prince, will shine upon your soul, whether child or grown-up, "with a sidewise gleam" and strike you "in some place that is not the mind" to glowing there with inextinguishable light." -- Brain Pickings ." . . full of subtle humor and drama that resonates rather than disappears. This is a friendship story full of empathy and beauty. . . . The clearly-rendered illustrations feature a muted palette that perfectly matches the tone of the story." -- School Library Journal "Dubuc excels at capturing emotions visually. The angle of Lion's posture, with a single nuanced line for his mouth, evinces joy or sadness. White space--sometimes whole pages--speaks its own language of loss and hope . . . A sensitive, uplifting meditation." -- Kirkus Reviews "The Lion and the Bird is the kind of book that will endure time and bring hours of thought and conversation about friendship, diversity and seasons. It is simply a beautiful creation--and my pick for this year's Caldecott." -- 36 Pages "It's a remarkably moving, and--considering it features two animals--deeply human story." -- STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly "This is the kind of story that enriches your soul and leaves you feeling hopeful and happy. Both you and your child will want to linger over the pages and fully take in all there is to see with the beautiful illustrations." -- Smart Books for Smart Kids "Dubuc's art is exceptional . . . A noteworthy picture book, this new title by Dubuc is charming and warm." -- Waking Brain Cells "Pretty much by definition, quiet books tend to fly under the radar. Some rightfully so, as the wick is turned down so low it struggles to keep from extinguishing completely. But then you have books like "The Lion and the Bird" by Marianne Dubuc (Animal Masquerade) - full of subtle humor and drama that resonates rather than disappears. This is a friendship story full of empathy and beauty." -- "100 Scope Notes" "Dubuc's charming, pastel-hued illustrations convey gentle humor and genuine feeling. The story's measured pacing allows readers to discover and relish each emotional nuance. A lovely choice to share and savor."-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library JournalPublisher Marketing: One autumn day, a lion finds a wounded bird in his garden. With the departure of the bird's flock, the lion decides that it's up to him to care for the bird. He does and the two become fast friends. Nevertheless, the bird departs with his flock the following autumn. What will become of Lion and what will become of their friendship?Note: some pages in this book are intentionally blank to represent snow. Marianne Dubuc received her degree in graphic design from the University of Quebec, Montreal. She has created many different kinds of books for readers of all ages. She is an internationally acclaimed illustrator whose work has been published by major publishers in fifteen countries. Review Citations:

Publishers Weekly 03/31/2014 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2014 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover)

Quill & Quire 05/01/2014 pg. 35 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover)

School Library Journal 06/01/2014 pg. 76 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover)

Foreword 05/27/2014 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover)

Booklist 06/01/2014 pg. 116 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 07/01/2014 pg. 570 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2014 pg. 82 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

PW Children's Starred Reviews 12/01/2014 pg. 33 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover)

Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2015 pg. 18 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2015 (EAN 9781592701513, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Dubuc, Marianne Marianne Dubuc wrote and illustrated In Front of My House, which was nominated for the 2011 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and La Mer, which received a 2008 Prix LUX/Grafika prize. She lives in Montreal, Quebec.