BOOK DESCRIPTION

Here is a beautiful picture book with musical rhymes that celebrates diversity and promotes kindness, sure to strike a chord with the many fans of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”.
When a lion is removed from his natural habitat, forced to leave his African land and his pride behind and crowned King of Animals in a zoo, but acts out and becomes a secluded, captive beast all humans give up hope. Only a patient and observant brown little dog stands by his side and, through his optimism and kindness, turns the beast into a friend for life.
Inspired by the true story of Bonedigger, the disabled lion and the friendly Dachshund Milo who proved that friendship knows no boundaries, “The Lion and the Dog” is a brilliant, colourful tale that shines when read aloud and is a definitive must-have for all collections.
Similar books: “The Cheetah and the Dog”, “The Elephant and the Sheep”

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS AND REVIEW

This little book is only 28 pages long but tells a big story. The author Patricia Furstenberg bases her book on the true story of a little Dachshund Milo and a disabled lion called Bonedigger, through her beautiful rhymes and verse. It is a story about loss of family, giving up, determination and friendship.

When the lion is captured and placed in a zoo he has lost everything and everyone that is dear to him and soon doesn’t look or act like the King of the Jungle any more. The only one that doesn’t give up on him is a little dog that goes to see him every day. The lion tries everything possible to make the little dog go away but he just keeps coming back.

This is a beautiful story and knowing that it really happened makes it even more special. It sends out a huge message that there are no limits to friendships no matter how different we all are. It is also about caring enough not to give up when someone is having a really terrible time, that can not be just a quick fix. Just letting someone know you are there when they are ready and that they are not on their own means more than words can say sometimes.

The pictures in the book are simple, colourful and manage to convey that the change in the lion didn’t happen quickly but through many months as the seasons change. A lovely little book with a story we could all benefit from. Just beautiful.

HERE IS A LITTLE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patricia Furstenberg is the author of Amazon Bestseller Joyful Trouble. She writes children stories about real and imaginary dogs and about animals in general. Patricia believes each creature has a story and a voice, if only we stop to listen.
Patricia came to writing though reading, her passion for books being something she inherited from her parents. “When I write, I write,” she usually says.
When she’s not writing she likes to read, listen to music, dance and bake.
One of the characters portrayed in her children stories is Pete, the yellow toy elephant. Not many know, but Pete exists and lives in Pat’s home.
This Romanian born writer is living happily with her husband, children and dogs in sunny South Africa.