Lion Books for Kids

Lions are fascinating animals that make wonderful characters in children’s books! Here is a collection of stories featuring these majestic felines.

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Lion Books for Toddlers

These lion books feature sturdy pages, interactive features, and sweet, simple stories, making them perfect for toddlers.

Daddy and Me — Finger Puppet Board Book by Sarah Ward

A sweet interactive board book about a fun day with Daddy Lion! Little ones can wiggle the adorable lion finger puppet as they follow along with the rhyming story and colorful illustrations.

That’s Not My Lion… by Fiona Watt

A durable board book with touch-and-feel patches on every page, making it perfect for toddlers! With colorful illustrations, repetitive text, and a little white mouse to spot on each page, it’s a fun sensory book for little ones.

Goodnight Lion by Joshua George

A sweet interactive bedtime story where children help Lion say goodnight to all his animal friends. A special cardboard flashlight slides between the pages to reveal animals hidden in the nighttime scenes, making this book extra fun for kids.

Can’t Catch Me! by Constanze von Kitzing

Kids will love this playful story about a mischievous lion cub! Little Lion tries to catch a grasshopper, chameleon, rabbit, and even a rhinoceros as he explores the savannah.

I Thought I Saw A Lion by Lydia Nichols

A fun hide-and-seek book with sturdy sliders that make it extra fun for little ones! Kids will love searching for the lion hiding every scene.

When Your Lion Needs a Bath by Susanna Leonard Hill 

What do you do when your lion needs a bath but absolutely does not want one? This silly board book explores how to get a reluctant lion into the tub!

Roary the Lion Roars Too Loud by Ame Dyckman

A silly story about Roary the Lion, who loves to roar a little too loudly! This fun book helps little ones learn about using their quiet voice.

Nosy Lion by Anna Milbourne

A sweet interactive board book that follows a curious lion cub as he explores the grasslands and meets other safari animals. Little ones will love lifting the sturdy flaps to discover what’s hiding underneath.

Kids’ Books About Lions

These books include fun stories featuring lions and are perfect for preschoolers and school-age kids.

Andy and the Lion by James Henry Daugherty

A charming retelling of the classic folktale Androcles and the Lion. In this story, Andy isn’t afraid when he encounters a real lion on his way to school, but he never expects the lion to be afraid of him!

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen

A sweet and funny story about a lion who discovers that the library is a wonderful place to visit! Kids will love seeing this unusual library guest become part of storytime.

The Lion and the Little Red Bird by Elisa Kleven

A sweet and beautifully illustrated story about an unlikely friendship between a lion and a cheerful little bird. Told through colorful mixed-media collage, this tale is wonderfully charming.

King Lion by Emma Yarlett

A sweet story about a lonely lion who just wants to make a friend! When his loud ROAR keeps scaring everyone away, it takes one kind little girl to understand what he’s really trying to say.

Dandelion by Don Freeman

A charming story about Dandelion, a lion who gets dressed up for a fancy party, but ends up being unrecognizable to his friends! This sweet tale is a fun reminder that sometimes it’s best to just be yourself.

Arlo: The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep by Catherine Rayner

A sweet bedtime story about Arlo, a very tired lion who just can’t seem to fall asleep. This calming book is perfect for little ones who have trouble settling down at bedtime.

Tawny Scrawny Lion by Kathryn Jackson

A classic Golden Book about a hungry lion who spends his days chasing animals for dinner. In this story, he sets his sights on a family of ten rabbits, but they come up with a clever plan to teach him to love carrot stew instead.

We’re Going on a Lion Hunt by David Axtell

A fun lion-themed take on the classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt! In this story, two sisters set off across the African savanna in search of a lion.

The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright

A sweet story about a shy little mouse who wishes he could roar like a lion! This charming tale follows Mouse on a journey to find his confidence and discover the “lion inside” himself.

Lion Lessons by Jon Agee

A funny story about a little boy who sets out to learn how to be a proper lion. With lessons in roaring, prowling, pouncing, and more, he discovers that looking out for your friends is the most important skill of all.

The Lion Who Wanted to Love by Giles Andreae

A rhyming story about Leo, a lion who would much rather hug his animal friends than act fierce! This sweet tale celebrates being yourself and embracing what makes you different.

Ranger Rick: I Wish I Was a Lion by Sandra Markle

A fun book for beginning readers that lets kids imagine what it would be like to be a lion! With fascinating facts and colorful wildlife photos, it’s a great choice for animal lovers who are just beginning to read, or for younger kids to enjoy as a read-aloud.

Learn More About Lions

If your little one loved reading about lions, there are plenty of ways to keep exploring these fascinating animals together!

August 10th is World Lion Day, making it the perfect time to enjoy lion-themed crafts and activities. Find lots of great ideas in my post Celebrating World Lion Day with Kids.

For even more lion themed fun, check out my FREE lion coloring page!