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The Not-So-Brave Little Lion

Illustrated by David Walker
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About The Book

From the illustrator of Bob Dylan’s If Not for You comes a wildly cute, encouraging picture book about a lovable lion who learns to be brave and that you’re never too small to make a difference.

Lions are BIG and they’re BRAVE, we all know that.
But not Little Lion: he’s a fraidy-cat!
He’s afraid of his shadow and noises at night,
even sounds in the day will give him a fright.


Little Lion and his friend Bird often hide in the woods, watching the Big Lions play from afar. “Someday we’ll be big, with no fears at all,” he says, hoping that he’ll outgrow his small stature and finally have courage. But when his feathered friend gets into a scary situation and the other lions are just too big to help, Little Lion will have to face his fears and discover that maybe he’s a little bit courageous after all!

About The Author

Photograph courtesy of the illustrator
David Walker

David Walker is a bestselling artist and has happily drawn and painted all his life. As the illustrator of more than fifty books, he’s beginning to write them as well, including The Not-So-Brave Little Lion and The Not-So-Sleepy Little Panda. Dave’s days are spent in his Apex, North Carolina, studio in the company of two big snoring dogs, surrounded by paper, pencils, paints, and coffee cups. To learn more, please visit him on Instagram @DavidWalkerStudios.

About The Illustrator

Photograph courtesy of the illustrator
David Walker

David Walker is a bestselling artist and has happily drawn and painted all his life. As the illustrator of more than fifty books, he’s beginning to write them as well, including The Not-So-Brave Little Lion and The Not-So-Sleepy Little Panda. Dave’s days are spent in his Apex, North Carolina, studio in the company of two big snoring dogs, surrounded by paper, pencils, paints, and coffee cups. To learn more, please visit him on Instagram @DavidWalkerStudios.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (March 21, 2023)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781481443487
  • Ages: 4 - 8
  • Lexile ® AD500L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

Raves and Reviews

Walker’s jaunty, gentle rhymes convey both Little Lion’s timid nature and his triumphant growth. Soft pencil and acrylic illustrations, relying heavily on muted greens, browns, and oranges, create a cozy environment perfect for this roly-poly lion to finally unleash his roar.

– Kirkus Reviews, 12/1/22

Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List PrimaryTitle

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: David Walker