The Lion and the Mouse is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
"The Lion and the Mouse" by Jerry Pinkney is a captivating retelling of the classic Aesop's fable. The book follows the unlikely friendship that develops between a powerful lion and a tiny mouse. When the mouse accidentally wakes the lion from his slumber, the lion is initially furious and considers eating the mouse. However, the clever mouse convinces the lion to spare his life, promising to help him one day. Later, when the lion is caught in a hunter's net, the mouse comes to his rescue, using his sharp teeth to set the lion free. Through stunning watercolor illustrations, Pinkney beautifully depicts the emotions and actions of the characters, highlighting the themes of compassion, gratitude, and the power of small acts of kindness. In the end, the lion learns the importance of mercy and the mouse discovers that even the smallest creatures can make a big difference.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Cause and effect can be a difficult skill for students. This book is a perfect mentor text for teaching this skill.
- Identifying the theme, message, or moral is an important skill that takes a lot of practice. Use this story as an opportunity to help your students with this reading strategy.
- Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Explore prepositions and how they describe nouns or pronouns.
- Discuss the importance of kindness.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- Goldilocks and The Three Bears by James Marshall
- Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney
- Hansel and Gretel by James Marshall
- John Henry by Julius Lester
- Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
- Mike Fink by Steven Kellogg
- Paul Bunyan by Steven Kellogg
- Pecos Bill by Steven Kellogg
- Red Riding Hood by James Marshall
- The Boy Who Cried Wolf by B. G. Hennessy
- The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone
- The Tortoise and The Hare by Janet Stevens
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
