The Night Lion

by Sanne Dufft

Morgan, an endearing tousle-haired little boy, feels big and strong during the day with his tall hat and his toy sword. But at night, when he dreams that a robber is coming through the woods to take these precious possessions, all of Mom’s assurances that “there is no robber” are not enough to ease his fears. Then Nana brings Morgan a stuffed toy lion, because everybody needs a lion sometimes—and because sometimes, fears in a child’s mind can only be conquered with the imagination. That night, Morgan rides a life-sized Night Lion into the woods and together they drive the robber far away. Comforting watercolour illustrations soothe any scary scenes, and the magical Night Lion will find an instant welcome in young readers’ hearts. A darling offering from author/illustrator Sanne Dufft.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Adventure

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 8, 2017

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

24 October 2018

Lovely art.

***
30 April 2023

On rereading it I am more enchanted. The art is lovely and evokes Max in a pleasant way, at least partly all those tree trunks, and the dreamed Robber is actually creepy. A good ending, too.

Library copy

[Amber Frechette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful tale of overcoming fears with gorgeous illustrations my 4 year old loved it!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The publisher's blurb is somewhat informative, but the reality of this beautiful expressive book goes far beyond! In words it is rather short, in illustrations it is delightful, and in the sentiment of banishing nightmares and finding a sense of empowerment it is perfect. Slightly larger than a sheet of computer paper, it has padded covers with discreet reflective properties, even the cover is fascinating.
I entered and won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and the Cleveland grandkids will go berserk!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As is the case of many of us, Morgan is strong and brave during the daylight hours, but at night, his dreams about a robber make him anxious. Even though he has his trusty sword and hat with which to do battle, he needs something else. His grandmother is wise to the ways of children and some of their fears and presents him with a lion that will help protect him. Once again, a grandmother seems to know best, and Morgan feels safe once again. Little ones will enjoy hearing this book read since it will assuage some of the fears while also empowering them. Plus, it's reassuring to be told that a stuffed animal has useful functions. I loved the watercolor illustrations and the padded cover, which will allow the book to stand up to multiple readings. The slight twist at the end with Morgan providing reassurance to his father is a nice touch that will be appreciated by its audience.

[Bexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, and a great book about providing different avenues to a child to help them confront their fears of the dark.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy is afraid of going to bed until he gets a stuffed lion to help guard him. Cute and relatable. Preschool and up

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

My 3 year old received this as a gift. In the first few pages Magnus, the young protagonist, stands on a chair, on his bed, one foot on the back of the chair. Great example of how to have any kid break their neck. A couple of pages later, an imaginary beast, the robber, who comes at night, is scaring Magnus. Great thinking, as if kids do not have enough unreasonable fears already. A couple of pages later, Magnus receives a lion dolly as a gift. And rides the lion that protects him from the robber and is no longer afraid. Great solution, offer an imaginary friend to tackle your kid's fears. I mean seriously? There's other subtle stuff that made me stash this book away. Like grandma carrying the little spoiled brat's stuff while they're out for a walk. But seriously, monsters in the dark? Two bright eyes on a dark figure that my kid now can't unsee? More like daft rather that Dufft.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was sweet, gentle, and wonderful and would sit nicely next to Where The Wild Things Are.

Morgan happily plays knight during the day, but when a bad dream threatens, even Mom's reassuring words aren't enough to keep Morgan from being afraid. Every parent wishes they could snap their fingers and quell their child's fears and alleviate stress, but love and kind words are not always enough. Then Nana arrives with a lion and Morgan finds a way to use his lion to make him "braver than anyone". With a squishy padded cover and lovable illustrations, The Night Lion is a perfect bedtime or anytime book.

A great book to share with a child who is having trouble going to sleep or struggling with nightmares.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stuffed animal, in the form of a brave lion, helps little Morgan to overcome his fear of robbers.

It's so common for children to have fears, including fears that lurk at night.

Okay, that's just as common for adults as well. Only, mainly, our fears are more "sophisticated."

Perhaps this delightfully detailed, inspiring story can bring some comfort. Even catharsis. For all readers.

RATING THIS BOOK

Easy. Between the elegant writing of Sanne Dufft, and also the magnificent illustrations, this book is surely a FIVE STAR read.

[Bettina Lippenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meine Meinung:
Wer kennt es nicht, nachts Angst zu haben. Magnus kennt das, er hat schlimme Träume, von einem Räuber. Da bringt die Großmutter einen Kuschellöwen und was soll ich sagen, der Löwe verwandelt sich. Er hilft Magnus.

Die Illustrationen laden zum Entdecken ein. Manches, sieht man erst auf den zweiten Blick. Sanft ist der Text, aber auch stärkend. Mutmachend.

Mein Fazit:
Eine löwenstarke Geschichte, über die Angst in der Nacht, den Mut Ängste zu überwinden, wenn man einen guten Freund an seiner Seite hat.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy loves his hat and sword; they make him tall and strong. When his Nana takes him for a walk he thinks he sees a robber in the woods. That night he has a nightmare. The next day Nana brings him a lion, because everyone feels afraid every now and then. That night the boy and the lion have adventures in his dreams. He has a hat that makes him tall, a sword that makes him strong and a lion that makes him brave.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a simple genius to this book. It acknowledges a real fear with a real solution that is perfect for a kid with a great imagination. I like that a grown-up plainly said that the bad guy doesn't exist (I think that message really needed to be said) and that another grown-up helped with a gentle but "everybody needs a lion sometimes"

[Olivia S · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations and the storyline of this kind of remind me of "Where the Wild Things Are"...except that I actually like this one. The illustrations of the lion are beautiful, especially the one where he transforms while the boy sleeps. The illustration of the bad guy is PERFECT for a kid's book. Will display for pets storytime.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

More bibliotherapy, only I think that this one could backfire. Read to a child without nighttime fears, this could bring them on!

More than that, this is translated from the German, and if the language is as stilted in German as it is in English, than it's just bad writing. Can't tell which. The art is charming though.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it was not one of my favorite children's books, it was an excellent book. It had so many elements that would appeal to a child. The boy in the story has a great imagination, and a wonderful grandmother who fosters that imagination.

[Biblioteca lui Lucas]

Inca o carte simpatica despre teama de intuneric si cum poate fi ea invinsa.

Biblioteca lui Lucas / Instagram.

[pati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want a night lion!

Excellent story with fabulous illustrations!

[Casandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A stuffed lion helps Morgan conquer in his bad dreams.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful watercolor spreads illustrate how to be brave at night when you have bad dreams.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet. I love the illustrations of the lion! My favorite scene was when Nana and Morgan go for a walk in the park, and Morgan thinks his hat and sword look good on his Nana.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtly brilliant. Perfectly paced, not too wordy. Knows its purpose and gets right to it without being preachy. But I had a stuffed lion I used to sleep with, too, so maybe I'm biased.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for one-on-one with kids who have trouble sleeping.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very stunted writing; wasn't my cup of tea.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boy finds he can deal with his scary dreams once he his given a stuffed lion to accompany him to sleep.

[Ana Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was adorable! Every child should have a lion as a companion. =D

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can a boy have any more nightmares with a sword, a hat and a lion for protection? Nana solves the problem.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely bedtime story

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the illustrations of the lion.

[Sonja Gieren · Rating 5 out of 5]

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