Ellen's Lion

by Crockett Johnson

Originally published in 1959 and out of print for two decades, this collection of very short stories chronicles Ellen’s relationship– complete with two-way conversations–with her floppy stuffed lion. Ellen’s temperament is a bit like Christopher Robin’s (though her appearance is a clone of Harold, from Harold and the Purple Crayon fame), but her lion is a no-nonsense, tougher-minded Pooh, with the voice of reason and reality to counter Ellen’s high-flying imagination. The stories range from fear of the dark and being sad to playing doctor, being a fairy princess, and dealing with a new toy that almost replaces lion.
Parents will find the subtly droll stories as entertaining as children, and a child who reads chapter books will find especially rewarding.

Genres: Fiction, Picture Books, Childrens, Short Stories, Classics, Kids, Humor

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Crockett Johnson was the pen name of the American cartoonist and children's book illustrator David Johnson Leisk. He is best known for the comic strip Barnaby (1942–1952) and the Harold series of books beginning with Harold and the Purple Crayon. [From Wikipedia.]

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

These twelve tales of Ellen and her stuffed lion are delightful, though may be too text-heavy for younger children. Originally published in 1959, one does have to wonder if a certain cartoonist born around that same time was perhaps inspired to write a comic strip about a boy and a stuffed tiger . . .

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before Calvin & Hobbes or Toy Story, there was Ellen and her lion. Powered by her imagination and tempered by his rationality, the duo have conversations both silly and deep, and adventures such as going to Arabia on the playroom train and getting a drink in the DARK. Originally published in 1959, it has an “old-fashioned” sweetness, but exhibits a timeless understanding of children’s fears and imagination as well as a subtle humor that hasn’t lost any luster in the intervening years.

[Tiuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m beginning to think Crockett Johnson was a bit of a genius...

[Milan Žila · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a timeless book. I think I enjoyed it even more than my daughter did.

Ellen is playing with her stuffed lion, creating stories and asking him questions. It's clever and sometimes funny. The pictures are nice and help to show the story but they are sparse.

I don't want to spoil anything but I really enjoyed the premise. It was a bit confusing for my daughter and I think more pictures would definitely help.

I would recommend this for 6 years or older.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first story is very funny. And clever and has enough mystery to it that a child who figures it out will forever love this book. Maybe. I mean, what do I know? But I was proud that I figured it out, and I'm only 46 and a half.

Ignore my review above. This is a very funny kid's book by the author of Harold & the Purple Crayon.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly amusing for adults perhaps...not entertaining for a kid; actually doing all these things is much better than reading about them. 8 out of the 12 stories are just about exactly what I did as a kid. But it's pretty accurate.

[Brennan Wieland · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are some funny and very short stories. They have a very simple plot, following a girl around with her stuffed lion that she pretends is alive. The introductory story I thought was best, and they all seemed pretty similar after that.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

One has to come to the conclusion that Bill Waterspn read these stories a lot when he was a kid. The basic premise is Calvin here is a little girl and Hobbs is a stuffed lion that only talks to her.
The book is 54 years old but reads like it could have been written yesterday.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to the kids tonight. I don't usually put those books on here, but I really liked these stories of a little girl and her toy lion an their conversations. Extremely funny. Often sweet. Great for reading out loud.

[Phillip Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and funny collection of short stories, by the author of the Harold and the Purple Crayon series and the Barnaby series. This is a delightful book for all of those who had a special stuffed animal friend in childhood and/or those with children or grandchildren who have such a friend.

[Dorsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my absolute favorite book as a child and it stands the test of time (better than the actual book which is falling apart!). Ellen and her lion are delightful and I’m pretty sure I learned to appreciate a dry sense of humor from the lion. I only wish it was still in print.

[Ellen Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can anyone not like this book? It's about an Ellen! My copy is almost in shreds. I think it might be one of the very first books I ever owned.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and funny--though most of the jokes would fly right over the heads of the children reading it. I love the lion's cool logic and Ellen's impetuously optimistic imagination.

[SarahBeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I love Harold and his Purple Crayon, I like Ellen and her Lion better. I was so thrilled when I found this in print a few years back and my Dad gave me a copy for Christmas.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/...

[Nancy Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift as a child because my middle name is Ellen. For some reason, the story about the clay figurines sort of stayed with me, leaving an impression in a hard-to-fully-control Claymation way. I also liked the story of the main character anticipating being a (literal) star in a nursery school play. Her mild spunk and occasional messiness are refreshing and reassuring reflections of kids that age. The subtle humor is good for adults. I liked the form of interrelated stories about the same characters. I re-read it when seeking examples of that form.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellen plays with her lion stuffed animal as if he were her imaginary friend -- think Christopher Robin and Pooh or Calvin and Hobbes -- but their relationship and interactions have a meta and confrontational manner that gives these twelve little vignettes a very odd quality. Still, a nice ode to imagination.

[Ellen Dougal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgic as I read this when I was little. I love it as I remember when I was little I loved the fact my name was in a book (this is a rare thing).
I love Ellen's connection with her lion as I used to have similar "convosations" with my teddy bears.
Maybe a bit heavy for small children to understand but I find Ellen to be relatable character

[Rita Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book. Especially if you have your own Ellen as a point of reference.

[Stacey Mulholland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Harold and the Purple Crayon and The Carrot Seed. I found this book at the library. It's a sweet book about a girl and her stuffed lion.

[kiaracrtk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bond between Ellen and her stuffed lion is irreplaceable; however, their conversations remind me of my own conversations with AI.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny stories, really cute, makes me feel like a little kid!

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for pleasure