Children meet the lion twice. First as a symbol — the stone pair guarding the library steps, the face on a coat of arms, the roar that stands in for courage in every story where somebody has to be brave. Then, eventually, as an animal: a cat that sleeps most of the day, lives in a family organized around its sisters, and looks smaller than expected when it finally turns up at the zoo. Picture books have been playing those two lions against each other for a century, which is why so many of them star a fearsome creature who would honestly rather be read to.
Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of 132 lion books, our editors chose savanna nonfiction, fable retellings, Golden Book classics, and a few lions who cause serious trouble indoors. Start with our shortlist of 12 favorites, then browse the full collection by age and reading stage — from first roars in board books to middle-grade novels out on the open plains.
A lion wanders into a library and changes everything.
Siblings enter a magical land trapped in winter, facing a powerful witch and awaiting a lion's return.
A mouse saves a lion, proving kindness knows no size.
A mouse and a lion form an unlikely friendship that helps them both find their true voice.
A hungry lion's life is changed after meeting a clever rabbit.
A stuffed lion is left behind in the woods, and only one person in the family believes he can find his way home.
A hungry lion insists he has nothing to do with the animals who keep disappearing from the page.
Lions are supposed to be fierce, so nobody knows what to make of one who would rather write poems with a duck.
Real lions up close: how a pride hunts, rests, raises cubs, and holds its ground.
A lion primps for a come-as-you-are party and turns up so groomed that the hostess shuts the door on him.
A boy's bond with a white lion faces separation and a promise of reunion.
A lion, elephant, and baboon must restore peace after betrayal disrupts the African plains.
Thick pages, enormous manes, and a first roar to practice — lion books for ages 0–3.
Two friends explore the vibrant colors of the seasons.
A mouse embarks on a quest to find his lion.
Can you outsmart a lion who hates baths?
A little lion must learn to share his toys.
Two friends explore opposites in a tactile adventure.
Can Roary the Lion learn to roar quietly? Help him find his inside voice.
Two sisters search for a lion on the African savanna. Will they find it?
Slide to find the hidden lion in playful scenes.
A lion cub explores the savanna, discovering the joys of play and family.
Explore with Baby Lion in a playful, interactive puppet book.
A lion cub's solo dining adventure turns into a delightful mess.
A mischievous lion cub's playful chase leads to unexpected encounters.
Read-aloud lions for ages 3–8, from fables and savanna photographs to the ones who move into the house.
A boy flees from a mysterious sound, discovering courage in a magical jungle.
Twins on safari hunt for elusive lions in Kenya's wilds.
A boy's bond with a stone lion faces the upheaval of war and relocation.
Expecting a kitten, but got a lion? Chaos ensues. Can a lion be the perfect pet?
A lion cub ventures alone, facing unexpected trouble.
A lion becomes a sharpshooter, but is fame true happiness?
A lurking lion awaits, but is it real or imagined?
A lion statue vanishes from the library. Can his friend find him before dawn?
A shy girl finds courage through an imaginary friend to make real connections in a new neighborhood.
A boy befriends a lion by removing a thorn from its paw.
Chloe's story is caught between a lion and a dragon. Can she find her way home?
A lion dreams under a sun, where imagination transforms reality.
For independent readers ages 6–12: pride politics on the savanna, wartime friendships, and one very famous lion in a snowy wood.
A lonely lion cub needs help, but the plan involves a daring risk.
A girl trades her favorite book for a flying lion, but magic's cost threatens her world.
A group of princesses work together to solve a mystery and rescue a group of animals.
A mysterious threat endangers Bravelands. Can the Great Herd unite to save their world?
A baboon, elephant, and lion must uncover a deadly truth to save Bravelands.
A murderer rules the savannah. Can unlikely allies restore balance before chaos reigns?
A lion and a tiger meet and fight, but who will win?
The Great Herd must unite to stop the rogue lion, Titan.
A lion is framed for a dog's death. Can Teddy uncover the truth?
A young detective and friend search for a missing lion in the wilds of Botswana.
A pug's safari adventure tests his courage against a lion cub.
A boy with a unique gift must rescue his kidnapped parents with the help of feline allies.
