A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals

by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Once upon a time there was a very hungry lion and some adorable little animals...

What do you think happened next?

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Fantasy, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2016

About the author

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author, illustrator, and art director. She is the executive art director of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers where she has worked for two decades on picture books, middle grade books, and young adult novels. She also manages a team of talented art directors and designers.

Lucy made her critically acclaimed debut as an author and illustrator with A Hungry Lion, or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals. She is also the author-illustrator of Stumpkin, Vampenguin, and Our Pool.

She is the illustrator of several books written by other authors, including Truman, written by Jean Reidy; Sounds Like School Spirit, written by Meg Fleming; and The Rescuer of Tiny Creatures, by Curtis Manning. She is also the author of Sleepy Sheepy, and Sleepy Sheepy and the Sheepover, illustrated by Pete Oswald.

Lucy’s books have been chosen as Publisher’s Weekly Best Books, NPR Best Books, New York Times Best Children’s Books, and have also been celebrated with both Irma Black honors, and a Governor General’s award honor. Her books can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and preferably at Indie Bound or your own local bookstore! And of course she’s always thrilled if you check her out from the library.

Born in Canada, she is the youngest of six children, and her family lived in an actual log cabin. She grew up in Cortland, New York, and she now lives with her little family in Brooklyn, New York. Her favorite food is the french fry.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read that keeps you guessing. The ending provides a sense of satisfaction as karma comes calling.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title, with its use of long words, may be a hint that this is not really intended for the usual picture book demographic of small children. I took it back to the library without reading it to my little niece, because I was pretty certain it would upset her. It would have upset me when I was her age -- although, oddly, a similar book in which a bunch of HUMANS got eaten by a lion would probably have been fine with me. Kittens>people. Anyway, I can see older kids or ones with a dark sense of humor enjoying this, but I would urge parents of more sensitive tykes to read the entire thing before deciding whether or not to share it.

Sniff. Poor kitten.

[Melissa (Mel’s Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book for a while now and It has taught me a very valuable lesson: **ALWAYS READ A BOOK YOURSELF BEFORE READING IT TO YOUR SMALL CHILD!!**
I was shopping one day and found this book in dymocks. I don't know if I was in a hurry or just not paying attention, but I should have thought (FROM THE DARN TITLE MEL!!!) that perhaps this is slightly inappropriate for the very little ones. A DWINDLING Assortment of Animals. Sigh.

So as any other somewhat slightly intelligent person can figure out from the cover (not me obviously), there is a lion in this book, and there is a dwindling assortment of animals. As in, there are a lot of animals, and then there are not so many animals. One guess as to where they go.... But there are a few twists and turns to this book, don't start complaining I'm giving away the story for you... The lion's dietary preferences do not spoil the story here.

Anyway, there I was sitting with my (then 2 year old) son on the couch reading this book, he was extremely excited about the fact that there was a lion. I, on the other hand was silently regretting my choice of children's book purchase, and wondering if I could suddenly take it away without a tantrum. HOWEVER, he BLOODY LOVED IT!!!

I'm not sure if he was just at the age where he didn't really understand that a lion EATS other animals, or if he just didn't care. He thought it was the funniest book he had ever seen, and proceeded to make me read it to him 5 more times in the next hour.

So a year on, he certainly does understand that lions eat other animals now, but he still loves this book. He enjoys finding and pointing out the animals as I read them out, he loves the twists the book takes, and he LOVES the ending!

The only thing I don't like about this book is after we read it my son goes around the house yelling "HEY! WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS?!!".

Would we recommend A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals?

Yes, but only to children who are not sensitive to the food chain and the "cycle of life"!

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[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each year I and my family read and rate all the Goodreads picture book nominees. This one is nominated for 2016. I make a few comments and then add their separate ratings and a comment. There's 15 and this is the sixth being rated. My rating might be somewhat influenced by the family, naturally. This is our collective favorite so far, of eight books.

[And after reading all 20 books, this was our favorite book of the nominees. However, like other things (people) I voted for in November 2016, this did not win. Not only did it not win, it did not make the finals for Goodreads picture book voting but it did get 16th place overall which is not nothing, given how many picture books come out each year, but I was disappointed it was not in the top five. It is so good!]

Me? 4 1/2 stars. With 2 or three actual surprises in it. Actually I thought this might be the only Goodreads nominee about climate change! Uh, moving on. . . It's cute and surprisingly and hilariously dark, in a couple places (see above). (And see below, for actual spoilers from kids, ha).

Tara (my wife): 5 stars. Totally hilarious! I liked how the sentences made you inspect the pictures. And I like how it is unexpected, twice!
Harry (11): 4 1/2 stars. I liked how the turtle was protected by his shell, eating the cake at the end.
Hank (10): 5 stars. I like how it kept starting over from the beginning and the turtle got to eat the cake at the end.
Lyra (9): 5 stars. I like how the turtle got to eat the cake.

[Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁]

B/c that title.



Totally got it for my nephews.

[Essareh · Rating 4 out of 5]

من ترسیده‌ام و مادرم را می‌خواهم. 😭
داداشم این داستانه رو خیلی دوست داره و باهاش می‌خنده. بچه‌ها واقعاً پیچیده‌ن.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Animals extremely cute, especially when they're dressed up for the party -- I didn't expect the shocking twist at the end!

[Zahra Zarrinfar · Rating 5 out of 5]

داستانش خیلی بامزه بود ولی همش داشتم فکر می‌کردم بچه‌های هم بامزگیش رو درک می‌کنند یا نه
حتی شاید این طنزی که تو کتاب بود براشون مناسب نباشه.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. Oh my goodness. Read A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals yourself before reading with your child. Then keep a poker face while reading. Then be ready to discuss!

I love it. Technically, it's not my kind of book, but the theme is actually valid, and the particular kind of humor is one that a lot of little kids really appreciate.

Isn't there an old saying about a leopard not being able to change his spots? And wise advice about being true to yourself? *Of course* the lion is not going to be domesticated just because the small animals throw a party for him.

I need to have my husband and young adult sons read this.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our daughter asked for the lion book for DAYS!! And every time we read it, she laughed!

This is another book in the same brilliant vein of Jon Klassen (as he praises it on the back cover, "Sheesh.") It's witty, it's clever, it's dark, it's silly, it's surprising, it's a classic.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A diverse group of animals, gathered together with a hungry lion, gradually begin to dwindle in number in this humorous picture-book. Have they disappeared into the lion's stomach, as seems likely at first, or is something else responsible for their departure? If the latter, does this signal a happy ending, or is another surprise in store...?

With its pointed and very sharp sense of humor, this debut from Lucy Ruth Cummins reminded me of the work of Jon Klassen, which is fitting, as Klassen's recommendation can be found on the back cover of A Hungry Lion. I enjoyed the surprises here, and the way that the author continually misleads the reader, but suspect that more sensitive young people may not like the conclusion of the tale. I recommend that parents proceed with caution, reading this one first, before giving it to younger children, just to make sure it will suit them. The artwork, done in brush marker, gouache, graphite, charcoal and colored pencil, is absolutely charming, somehow managing to look hastily scribbled and skillfully done all at the same time. It looks very simple, but somehow manages to communicate a real sense of motion, and to capture its characters' various states of emotion. Recommended to anyone who enjoys picture-book fare of the slightly less-than-sweet variety.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can't be easy to get a plot twist into a 32-page picture book, but lots of picture books manage it. TWO twists?? Twists that make ME, a serious adult superconsumer of picture books, raise both eyebrows in surprise??? GENIUS.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s fabulous fun to read and discover exactly what this means by “dwindling” of animals. There are things to see, predictions to make, and surprises waiting on each page of the book. Some may call it a little bloodthirsty, but really it’s all “tongue-in-cheek” and meant for laughter. Illustrations are simple drawings, but don’t ignore the smallest details. Even the expressions change bit by bit.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark and twisty picture book about a hungry lion and an assortment of small adorable animals. This may be a little too blood thirsty for young preschoolers but readers who loved I Want My Hat Back and This is Not My Hat will appreciate the macabre humor.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one - pair it with I Want My Hat Back & This is Not My Hat for a great discussion on how views of a story change as we read on, and to get kids gasping and laughing in disbelief! This one has great sarcasm, and an interesting pov with the narrator.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully dark and droll.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cybils finalist for best fiction picture book.

[Abdie Estrella · Rating 4 out of 5]

File this under: books to tell parents to read themselves before they read them to their child.

The title is hilarious and I should have known what was coming but...sigh. It's the circle of life I guess??

[Alice Ludlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Very witty and plays with the concept of making predictions. Was definitely routing for the turtle the whole time though.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never trust a hungry carnivore!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was something oddly charming about this book, despite the abstract artwork and the possibly macabre tone. I think, for older children, this could be a nice bedtime read-aloud. They could use their reasoning skills to figure out which characters have disappeared each page. It's also a good book to work on reading comprehension and whether the child is actively listening and paying attention to the book.

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this six stars, I would. Oh this book is so witty. It's a joy. 'Once upon a time there was a hungry lion...packed into a picturebook with a pile of cutesy little animals. I wonder what will happen next...? The meta-play between narrator's expectations, animal behaviour expectations mixed in with soft, lovable expectations of picturebooks is played with so, so well by Cummins and I adore her for it.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the end of the very first page I was smiling! I love the lion with the scruffy looking main and Dracula fangs! I loved the interaction between writer and reader. I also loved that the writer encouraged the reader to use their imagination at strategic points. It's clearly a winner for me!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, actually surprising (for all ages) and fun illustrations!

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young readers will delight in this slightly sinister tale of a hungry lion and assortment of other (delicious) animals. Plenty of twists to keep readers guessing and gasping in surprise!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a smart and darkly funny book! I loved it!

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkly hilarious. I love it. And also, have no idea how it would go over in storytime. What do you think, fellow storytime presenters? Have you used this one?

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is simultaneously, exactly what you expect and not at all what you expect!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite book for teaching inference to elementary age kids!

[Elle Gainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious and dark but I would be hesitant to do it for a storytime.