Little Lion, a green-eyed cub with distinctive ponytail mane, dreams of developing her “grrrr”and “purr” into a proper, loud, grown-up lion “ROAR.” After a crocodile nearly snaps her up, she asks her animal friends for help. Hippo tells her how to “BELLOW” with one’s mouth, and Monkey explains how to “HOWL” from the throat. Little Lion can’t do either, but then Elephant suggests she try to “TRUMPET” by taking a deep breath and blowing it out. By tapping into what she’s learned, Little Lion finally learns to roar. Prentis writes in straightforward, unmetered couplets, employing simple end-rhymes or playfully subverting expected pairings, as in “Little Lion goes towards him. Crocodile snaps his jaws. / Little Lion throws her head back. She’s so surprised she… squeaks.” Carter’s illustrations render the savanna in lush and moody greens, purples, and pinks, employing strong lines, watery inks, and crayon shadings to striking effect. The cartoonish animals are full of character, allowing the story to function as both an unadorned narrative and as a personal-development fable. Young readers will enjoy Elephant’s colorful trumpeting and Crocodile’s comeuppance.
