Fat as butter and sleek as silk! The words just roll off the tongue.

One of the first books I remember reading as a child. ( )

I must have read this as a child or a young mom, but I sure don't remember it. Odd, because, in its way, it is a memorable story. I mean, never mind the silly plot, but think of the recipe: carrots, fish, and mushrooms. Think of ten little bunnies wearing clothes. Think of lions, kangaroos, and other wild animals all living in the same country.

Anyway, I have no idea whether I would have liked it when I was a kid. I kinda doubt it. But reading it now, I enjoy it on retro & surreal levels, and am perversely charmed. ( )

This piece of literary work isn't like the work that has been made over the last twenty years. This story didn't shy away from the realities that the lion is the king of the jungle and sits atop the food chain. It explains that lions are always hungry because they are constantly chasing bears, elephants, zebras, and monkeys to eat. Then he tries to eat 10 fat rabbits but they feed him carrot stew instead. The lion basically becomes a vegetarian since he doesn't have to chase carrot stew around the jungle. I don't think this book would be a success nowadays but for the time period it was written in, I'm sure the message was acceptable. ( )

Now, like many stories of that era featuring "wild animals", the geography is complete nonsense. Lions coexist with bears and kangaroos. Yes, this is annoying. How annoying probably has a direct relationship to whether or not your beloved Mama read you this book when you were little :) And, like many stories of that era, the biology is also a bit skewed - Lions who eat carrot and fish stew will not be happy and plump, they will be even scrawnier because lions are obligate carnivores. Eating meat isn't something they do to be mean, it's something they do because they have no choice.

So, you know, if you're looking for realism, this is not the book for you.

If you're looking for a cute little story about how friendship tames wild beasts and makes everybody happy... well! This one is great. It's a bit wordy, so consider your audience. ( )