Lizard's Song

by George Shannon, José Aruego (Illustrator), Ariane Dewey (Illustrator)

Bear was the kind who, when he wanted something, took it. And what he wanted was Lizard's song. Lizard was happy to share it, but somehow Bear just couldn't seem to get it right. "A jolly, amiable fancy about the value of finding one's niche and being one's own self."--Publishers Weekly. Also available in a Spanish-language edition, La Cancion del Lagarto.

Genres: Picture Books, Music, M M Romance, Childrens, Spanish Literature

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

George Shannon is a popular storyteller and former children's librarian whose many notable picture books include Tomorrow's Alphabet, Lizard's Guest, and White Is for Blueberry. Tippy-Toe Chick, Go!, illustrated by Laura Dronzek, was named a Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book. George Shannon lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Reviews

[Hayli Galupi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a about a lizard who likes to sing songs, more specifically about his home. One day, a bear had heard him singing his song and wanted to learn it. Bear couldn't remember the song and kept asking Lizard to teach him. Lizard then told Bear that he likes to sing about himself and his home so he asked Bear where he lived. Bear lives in a den, so he made his own song about his home. The themes I found in this book are music and home. When I was in preschool when the author, George Shannon came to my school and signed my book. I loved this book when I was little; I would always sing a long with the characters. I would recommend this book in the classroom for a fun singing activity for the kids. Kids always enjoy singing and dancing. Teachers can also use this book when teaching about habits and animals. It's a cute story that I think kids will enjoy and will love to sing along with.

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lizard that makes up a song about his home, that entices a bear to learn the song too. The bear keeps forgetting the song and has to keep asking the lizard to reteach it to him. The lizard ends up finding a way to help the bear remember.

[Cerberuz · Rating 4 out of 5]

买书不如借书。借着看完了，可爱！

[Jacob Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a lizard who loves to sing but is afraid to perform in front of others. It's a great lesson in overcoming fears and pursuing your passions.

[KhiN’Millie Friesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

He taught the song to bear but he forgot lots of times because rock wasn't his home. The bears home was den. My home is Suswa dorm in Kenya - Khi 3

[Amy Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizard lived on a big flat rock in the mountains of the west. He loved it so much he made up a song about it:

“Zoli zoli zoli – zoli zoli zoli
Rock is my home – rock is my home
Zoli zoli zoli – zoli zoli zoli”

Lizard sang his song every day as he danced on his rock and one day Bear heard the song. He made Lizard sing the song over and over until he had memorized it. Bear sang the song all day long, but various incidents make him forget the song and each time he runs back to Lizard to learn it again. Finally, Lizard figures out that Bear should sing about his home, a den, and Bear is finally able to remember the song.

This simple story focuses on the joy of singing your own song. Shannon’s experience as a storyteller is evident in the text, which is tailor-made for a read aloud. The “Zoli Zoli Zoli” song is repeated many times throughout and is an especially memorable part of the book. The illustrations are colorful and cheerful. Bear scampers through a landscape of orange and yellow flowers while many colored 16th notes dance in the air as he sings. The sheet music for the song is included within the text.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Shannon for story time. His stories seem to invite a lot of participation. This has Lizard singing a song. (Okay, I can't carry a tune, but I didn't get any complaints. Someone even checked out the book after Toddler Time.) Bear hears the song and wants it. He tries to learn it, but keeps forgetting, first when he falls in a pond, then when he chases a rabbit... I also like the message, that you don't have to learn someone else's stuff, you can make it your own. 1/6/12

Used for PJ Story Time. 12/4/12

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizard loves his home on a flat rock so much that he makes up a song about it. His song attracts the attention of Bear who wants the song for himself. Lizard teaches Bear the song, but when Bear crosses paths with other animals he forgets how the song goes. In the end, Lizard teaches Bear how to change the song to celebrate Bear's home.

LOVE this story, especially when told with puppets. Recommended for PreK-2.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

When one of my sons randomly pulled this book off the shelf at the library, I was whisked back to my own childhood. I loved this book! I still love it - the boys and I make up our own zoli-zoli songs for ourselves and all the animals we can think of. Read June 21, 2012

[Halea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about a lizard that sings a song that a bear wants to learn. The bear learned it but keeps forgetting the words as he is interrupted by other animal sounds. The illustrations are colorful and simply drawn. This would be a great book for a music class and first graders.

[Rosanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

zoli zoli zoli!

[Lyndsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE it!

[Bree · Rating 1 out of 5]

Notes:
a be-yourself book for preschoolers?
twaddle
annoying to read and sing

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

sing-a-long, music, house/home