Lazy Lion

by Mwenye Hadithi, Adrienne Kennaway (Illustrator)

Lazy Lion orders the animals to build him a house on the African plain.



The Weaver Birds build him a house of nest grasses and palm leaves, but Lazy Lion is too heavy to reach the door. The Ant Bears build him a house with many rooms and caverns, but it is so dark Lion can't see anything.



The animals do their best to please Lion, but he is very difficult to please. Will he ever find a home?

This is the story of how Lazy Lion found his home on the great African plain.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Mwenye Hadithi, meaning "he who has the stories," is a name used by Bruce Hobson, who was inspired by Adrienne Kennaway's vibrant use of color to write stories for children. Mr. Hobson grew up on ten acres of bush garden with porcupines and gazelles; crocodiles in the rose bed; and a hippopotamus that once got stuck between the courtyard gates--all of which fostered his great love of animals and bush country of Kenya. Mr. Hobson lives in Nairobi with his wife and child.
(From the inside cover of one of his books)

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found in a pile of old bedtime stories destined for the attic.

A just so style story introducing some birds and animals from the African plains. Lazy Lion orders each animal in turn to build him a house. They build him a house in the style that suits them so it’s not what Lazy Lion wants. It's a fun book to read aloud as the animals can all have different voices and children who I have read this to have all enjoyed laughing at how bossy Lazy Lion is. Children interested in the natural world will find the wildlife and their various homes interesting. Lovely illustrations, this was a bedtime favourite of my children, I sure I could read this book with my eyes shut.

[Sithara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to get a book about African animals for my two year old neice- a simple story, with morals explained in a fun and engaging way. As soon as I saw LAZY LION by Mwenye Hadithi I knew I found my book!

The story is simple: The Lion, King of Animals, asks his subjects to find him a home. But he is very picky and lazy - this house is too big, that house is too small, this house is too wet...nothing pleases him.

When it rains, all the animals rush into their houses, leaving the LAZY LION wandering across the great African plains, which remains his home to this day.

The Moral? Don't be lazy and picky, either get what you need yourself or accept what is given to you with gratitude!

Accompanying this simple but great story are bright, colorful illustrations which really capture the essence, the beauty of the African Wilderness.

[Catherine Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great shared reading book. Beautiful illustrations and simple narrative with a moral to discuss further.

Would be good for introducing noun groups as there are heaps of adjectives and descriptive language. Also lots of activity by the animals so verbs and verb groups would also fit.

Writing type: narrative, recount, traditional tale, fable, animal story

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The repetition and the ability to predict why each home wouldn't work for Lazy Lion made it a terrific read aloud with preK.

[Kay Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lion demands animals to build him a house. It rains...he isn’t happy with any of their houses. This is why the lion has no house. Told like “How the leopard got his spots’
- Art 5* too

[Eddie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fittingly lazy story with a few interesting details. Weaver birds. Ant bears. Honey badgers. Crocodile tears.

[Andy Villalpando · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad but he looks so happy in the end so whatever one must imagine Sisyphus to be happy

[Celeste · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admit, I feel bad for the Lion. I am not sure that laziness is really the issue here, although things would probably work out better if he built his own house. But I think the crocodile's assessment (The Lion is so hard to please) is unfair. The Lion's criticisms of the various houses are totally justified--a Lion can't live in an ant hill or a bird's nest or a log!

Mostly I fear that this little fable actually teaches that homelessness is the fault of the homeless person--that if they just weren't so lazy they two could own their own home!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's going to rain and the lion wants someone to build him a home because he's, well, lazy. Various animals do so but he can't use them because he's too big or it's too high or too wet or whatever.

My kids thought it was funny and also thought the lion should go build his own house and deserved to get wet in the rain.

A cute little story with fun illustrations.

[LeeAnn G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Book to read to a perfect little God-Daughter on a cold, sunny day. It teaches to have manners and morals or else.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do like African folktales.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great exposure to lots of different African animals and a good story as well. Two thumbs up.

[Haydeliz Lopez]

Lazy Lion

[Lumi / Otso · Rating 3 out of 5]

not nearly as interesting as the hippo book.

[Christy Willis]

Perfect way to learn about nature and the wild life that live on the plains of Africa.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lion wants every other animal in the area to build a home for him but he's never satisfied with the houses they build. What will happen when it rains? Length makes it preschool plus.

[Ephie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story that teaches children not to be lazy, whilst also capturing Africa and accurate facts about African animals.