Renato and the Lion

Written & illustrated by Barbara Dilorenzo

A boy's bond with a stone lion faces the upheaval of war and relocation.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 281 ratings

36 pages· 990 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon.

Bookroo's summary

In war-torn Florence, young Renato cherishes his stone lion, a symbol of safety amidst chaos. As his family prepares to flee to America for safety, Renato worries about leaving his beloved lion behind. Will the magic of the lion protect him from afar, or will Renato find a new sense of security in an unfamiliar land? This enchanting tale, set against the backdrop of Florence's beauty, explores the power of connection and the courage to face the unknown.

From the publisher

The touching, magical story of a boy in a war-torn country and the stone lion that rescues him.

Renato loves his home in Florence, Italy. He loves playing with his friends in the Piazza della Signoria. He loves walking home by the beautiful buildings and fountains with his father in the evenings. And he especially loves the stone lion who seems to smile at him from a pedestal in the piazza. The lion makes him feel safe.

But one day his father tells him that their family must leave. Their country is at war, and they will be safer in America. Renato can only think of his lion. Who will keep him safe?

With luminous watercolor paintings, Barbara DiLorenzo captures the beauty of Florence in this heartwarming and ultimately magical picture book.

At a glance