The Lion's Share by Matthew McElligottMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Lion’s Share: A Tale of Halving Cake and Eating it, too
By Mathew McElligott
Walker& Company
2009
1st - 3rd Grades
When a very small ant is invited to the lion’s dinner party, she knows to be on her best behavior. It is truly an honor to dine with the king of the jungle!
But the other partygoers don’t share her good manners. The greedy guests gobble up dessert, leaving nothing but a crumb for the ant to share with her king. Baking another cake seems like the perfect way to make it up to him…until the other boastful guests turn her kind gesture into a contest.
Exactly how many cakes are fit for a king?
YouTube Vid of Book
The Illustrations
The illustrations work seamlessly with the story. They clearly capture the character of each individual animal, and help parents craft funny voices to go along with the dialogue. They are also an excellent visual aid for the mathematical concepts presented.
The Story
Comes off like an African folktale that I've heard before, where the lion has his annual party. Usually, the king of beasts issues punishments to rude guests in a story like this. But this time, the lion set back and let's the guests punish themselves.
Likes!
I like any story that can introduce complicated mathematic concepts to youngsters without them noticing. In this story your child will be introduced to fractions, and multiplication, all while listening to an entertaining story of characters trying to out do each other.
What I Loved
This story is actually fun to read out loud. It's easy to get into character and give each of the animals different voices. It's easy to explain that the animals are over doing themselves trying to one up the ant. And it's lovely seeing the polite ant get ahead by logical and low drama.
Disliked
My only critique of this story is that the king lion has very little personality. He barely reacts to the rudeness of his guests - only a frown in the illustrations show's he's bothered.
Nor is there any explanation as to why the animals felt it was ok to be so rude at the King's table.
This story puts me in mind of African folktales I've heard before. In those stories there are consequences for animals being rude to the king. Here the lion says nothing, and does nothing while his guests disrespect his table.
I understand that table manners isn't the point of the story. But I think having the lion express irritation in some way would help lend to the ant's hurried apology, and the other animals rush to overreact. As it stands, why are they even trying to impress the king? He doesn't really seem bothered by anything.
Bedtime Breakdown
This is an excellent story for little listeners of all ages! It's a good introduction to fractions, and an entertaining support story for multiplication. It's fun to read out loud, and can easily be told as a free style performance when you don't have the book handy. I wish the lion of the story had more personality, but there is plenty of characterization in the other animals to make up for it.
This book is excellent for anyone who knows, or is expected to some day learn, fractions, fairness, and multiplication.
In conclusion.
If you like this book please show Matt McElligott some love by checking this book out from your local library or purchase it your favorite bookstore.
Purchase through my Amazon link to help the blog grow.
If you enjoyed this review please subscribe to leave a comment here, or leave a comment on BlueSky! I'm @PB&JellyPhish and I'd love to hear from you.
I'm Porsche B. Yeary and
I'll see you on the next page!
Recommendations
View all my reviews