Best Picture Books about Lions: 5 Picks for Young Readers

The best picture books about lions give a young reader a big cat to love: a library visitor, a gentle friend, a real animal to learn about. This list compares five lion books on what each listing publishes: the reading age, page count, format and who each book suits.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Library Lion by Knudsen	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	How to Be a Lion by Vere	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	NG Readers: Lions by Marsh	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The Happy Lion by Fatio	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Lions Say I Love You by Muldrow	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Library Lion by Knudsen

Michelle Knudsen·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 48-page library tale where a lion learns the rules, for ages 4-8 with a storytime read-aloud feel.

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Pros

• Ages 4-8 stated right in the title
• 48 pages, the longest story here
• A reprint edition from Candlewick, a known children's publisher

Cons

• The title says ages 4-8 but the listing gives a reading age of 3 to 6 years, marked as from customers
• Published 2009, the oldest edition here
• 48 pages may be long for the youngest end of its stated age range

2

How to Be a Lion by Vere

Ed Vere·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page story of Leonard the lion and Marianne the duck about being true to yourself, for ages 2-5.

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Pros

• The listing states nominations for the 2019 Kate Greenaway Medal and the 2019 Carnegie Medal
• Reading age 2-5 and grade level Preschool-2 both stated
• An illustrated edition from Doubleday Books for Young Readers

Cons

• A friendship fable, not a book of lion facts
• 32 pages, shorter than the story picks here
• The description's bullying theme may need a parent's read-through first

3

NG Readers: Lions by Marsh

Laura Marsh·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page Level 1 nonfiction reader with lion photos, for ages 4-6 learning to read.

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Pros

• Real photos, per the description, for a young fact lover
• Leveled as a Level 1 reader for early independent reading
• Reading age 4-6 and grade level Preschool-1 both stated

Cons

• 32 pages of simple text, thin for an older fact lover
• A factual reader, so no story for bedtime reading
• Reading age marked as from customers, not the publisher

4

The Happy Lion by Fatio

Louise Fatio·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 40-page classic tale of a friendly zoo lion visiting his neighbors, for ages 3-7.

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Pros

• The listing states a 50th Anniversary edition
• 40 pages with illustrations, per the listing
• Reading age 3-7 and grade level Preschool-2 both stated

Cons

• Published 2015, an older edition
• A gentle classic, so no lion facts for a curious naturalist
• The description's fleeing townspeople may worry a sensitive reader

5

Lions Say I Love You by Muldrow

Diane Muldrow·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 24-page rhyming bedtime book about how baby animals show love, for babies to age 3.

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Pros

• A Little Golden Book, a sturdy format for small hands
• Simple rhymes and soft pastel illustrations, per the description
• The shortest book here at 24 pages, right for bedtime

Cons

• Only partly about lions; other animals share the pages
• Reading age marked as from customers only
• No grade level stated

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More picks to compare

• Lion Pride by KrattA Step 2 leveled reader for ages 4-6 who like the Wild Kratts.Check on Amazon
• All Things Lions For Kids76 pages of lion facts and photos for readers 6 and up.Check on Amazon
• Lion Picture Book by VillaneuvaOver 100 lion photos in a 50-page photo book.Check on Amazon
• King Lion by YarlettA friendship story for ages 3-7, 32 pages.Check on Amazon
• Lions! by AicherReal photos and lion facts for ages 4-8, 24 pages.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. All five listings give a reading age, most marked by Amazon as from customers, and four give a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books about lions

Match the reading age to the reader

Reading ages here run from baby to 8 years. Library Lion suits ages 4-8 while How Do Lions Say I Love You? fits babies to age 3. Check the listing’s age against the reader before buying, and note when the age is marked as from customers.

Story or nonfiction

Three picks tell stories and two teach facts. A reader who loves tales may prefer How to Be a Lion, while a fact lover may prefer the National Geographic reader. For more animal stories, see our best picture books about animals.

Format and edition

Page counts run 24 to 48 pages. The Happy Lion’s listing states a 50th Anniversary edition and Library Lion’s is a reprint, so check the edition line for a gift. A cat lover may also like our best picture books about cats.

Before you buy

• Check the listing’s reading age and grade level against the reader; some ages are marked as from customers.
• Confirm the edition and print length: a reprint and an anniversary edition sit differently on the shelf.
• For a series reader, check which book of the series comes first before buying the next one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which lion book suits a 3 year old?

How Do Lions Say I Love You? lists a reading age of baby to 3 years, and The Happy Lion lists 3 to 7 years. The first is a short rhyming bedtime book; the second is a longer classic tale.

Which pick teaches real lion facts?

National Geographic Readers: Lions is a Level 1 nonfiction reader with photos, for ages 4 to 6. The story picks teach friendship and kindness instead.

What age is Library Lion for?

The title states ages 4-8, while the listing gives a reading age of 3 to 6 years, marked as from customers. We flag the mismatch in the cons so you can judge.

Still deciding? Our top pickLibrary Lion by Knudsen

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