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Jim: Who Ran Away from His Nurse and Was Eaten by a Lion
Award-winning illustrator Mini Grey turns her inimitable hand to Hilaire Belloc's classic cautionary tale of Jim: who ran away from his Nurse and was eaten by a Lion! First published in 1907, Belloc's wickedly funny poem describing the sad end of Jim is now fabulously illustrated by Mini Grey for this extra-special new edition. This is a perfect gift with much to explore...
26 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1987
2 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Hilaire Belloc
731 books407 followersPeople considered Joseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc, French-born British writer, as a master of light English prose and also knew widely his droll verse, especially
The Bad Child's Book of Beasts
in 1896.
Sharp wit of Hilaire Belloc, an historian, poet, and orator, extended across literary output and strong political and religious convictions. Oxford educated this distinguished debater and scholar. Throughout his career, he prolifically across a range of genres and produced histories, essays, travelogues, poetry, and satirical works.
Cautionary Tales for Children collects best humorous yet dark morals, and historical works of Hilaire Belloc often reflected his staunch Catholicism and critique of Protestant interpretations. He led advocates of an economic theory that promotes and championed distribution of small-scale property ownership as a middle ground between capitalism and socialism alongside Gilbert Keith Chesterton, his close friend.
In politics, Hilaire Belloc served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal party, but the establishment disillusioned him. His polemical style and strong opinions made a controversial figure, who particularly viewed modernism, secularism, and financial capitalism as threats to traditional Christian society in his critiques.
Influence and vast literary legacy of Hilaire Belloc extends into historical circles. Erudition, humor, and a forceful rhetorical style characterized intellectual vigor and unique perspective, which people continue to study and to appreciate, on history, society, and human nature.
Sharp wit of Hilaire Belloc, an historian, poet, and orator, extended across literary output and strong political and religious convictions. Oxford educated this distinguished debater and scholar. Throughout his career, he prolifically across a range of genres and produced histories, essays, travelogues, poetry, and satirical works.
Cautionary Tales for Children collects best humorous yet dark morals, and historical works of Hilaire Belloc often reflected his staunch Catholicism and critique of Protestant interpretations. He led advocates of an economic theory that promotes and championed distribution of small-scale property ownership as a middle ground between capitalism and socialism alongside Gilbert Keith Chesterton, his close friend.
In politics, Hilaire Belloc served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal party, but the establishment disillusioned him. His polemical style and strong opinions made a controversial figure, who particularly viewed modernism, secularism, and financial capitalism as threats to traditional Christian society in his critiques.
Influence and vast literary legacy of Hilaire Belloc extends into historical circles. Erudition, humor, and a forceful rhetorical style characterized intellectual vigor and unique perspective, which people continue to study and to appreciate, on history, society, and human nature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 21, 2012
Well, so much for a spoiler alert. The title pretty much says it all. And if it doesn't make you smile - then for God's sake - STAY AWAY from this book!!! - instead of whining about how it's not appropriate for children!
Jim is one melancholy looking tot, even though he gets tea and cakes and chocolate with pink inside(?). He even gets a trip to the zoo, though THIS zoo has enough rules to gag a python. Children are not permitted to hum, whistle, or giggle. Excitement of any sort is prohibited. There are EVEN rules for the animals! No trumpeting. No stampeding. No constricting. And definitely no ostentatious mating displays!
Is it any wonder Jim decides to slip his nanny's hand and go looking for some fun? And if you can't stand when bad things happen to cartoon children, you'd best cover your eyes for the rest of the book.
The illustrations are detailed, yet not fussy. There are lift-the-flaps and one big pop-up.
Even the endpapers are decorated with charming, embroidered samplers spouting folksy wisdom like, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a boy healthy, wealthy and quieter than usual", and MY next cross-stitch project, "Children should be eaten and not heard."
In short, this is a perfect book for a child who is not easily disturbed, or perhaps a child who is already disturbed.
Jim is one melancholy looking tot, even though he gets tea and cakes and chocolate with pink inside(?). He even gets a trip to the zoo, though THIS zoo has enough rules to gag a python. Children are not permitted to hum, whistle, or giggle. Excitement of any sort is prohibited. There are EVEN rules for the animals! No trumpeting. No stampeding. No constricting. And definitely no ostentatious mating displays!
Is it any wonder Jim decides to slip his nanny's hand and go looking for some fun? And if you can't stand when bad things happen to cartoon children, you'd best cover your eyes for the rest of the book.
The illustrations are detailed, yet not fussy. There are lift-the-flaps and one big pop-up.
Even the endpapers are decorated with charming, embroidered samplers spouting folksy wisdom like, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a boy healthy, wealthy and quieter than usual", and MY next cross-stitch project, "Children should be eaten and not heard."
In short, this is a perfect book for a child who is not easily disturbed, or perhaps a child who is already disturbed.
July 17, 2021
No needs for spoiler alerts, as the ending is pretty much broadcast by the title. This is one of the poems in Hillaire Belloc’s 1907 Cautionary Tales for Children, which I very much doubt was meant for children at all. Spoiled Jim learns why “Children never are allowed / to leave their Nurses in a Crowd,” although in his case the outcome is probably worse than usual. I don’t know why I found this so funny or why I loved Lord Basil T. Blackwood’s pen-and-ink drawings, but I think you will, too.
November 11, 2012
The book is about a boy named Jim and how he celebrates his birthday with his family and friends, however he never listens to his parents. They once went to the zoo where he met this lion that starts to eat him up.
I feel that this book has it’s good and bad points, the good point is that is teaching children a moral for not misbehaving, however the bad point is that if this is to be aimed at children at a young age, children would be frightened and may even be traumatized by what happens in the book. It does have some gruesome images that shouldn’t be shown to children and I feel that in order to illustrate the moral of this story it can be shown in a more appropriate way.
The age for this book would be children aged 9-10 years of age, even though I still this is young for this book but it should be appropriate for this age and over rather than a younger age.
I think it would be better to use this book to read as a whole class as the discussion can be through whole class and can also explore the moral of the story in a more discussion based way. This can be read independently as well to allow the children to gather their own thoughts through individual reading.
I feel that this book has it’s good and bad points, the good point is that is teaching children a moral for not misbehaving, however the bad point is that if this is to be aimed at children at a young age, children would be frightened and may even be traumatized by what happens in the book. It does have some gruesome images that shouldn’t be shown to children and I feel that in order to illustrate the moral of this story it can be shown in a more appropriate way.
The age for this book would be children aged 9-10 years of age, even though I still this is young for this book but it should be appropriate for this age and over rather than a younger age.
I think it would be better to use this book to read as a whole class as the discussion can be through whole class and can also explore the moral of the story in a more discussion based way. This can be read independently as well to allow the children to gather their own thoughts through individual reading.
May 19, 2019
This book was a little scary for me because there's too many flaps with scary stuff, and the lion jumped out. It started super happy so I knew it was gonna be scary. And if I ever saw that happen to one of my friends, I would obviously use this rope to walk him right back into his cage. This black rope, I would tie him up, and the cage would come and he would be trapped forever because the key was invisible so if you looked in there you saw no key and the key was not smellable, but I could see key, but he couldn't because lions have different eyesights.
September 3, 2009
In the early 20th century Hilaire Belloc published some books of cautionary verses for children, likely modeled on the classic grotesque-pastiche work from Germany Der Struwwelpeter (Shockheaded Peter). These verses were rediscovered and, some of them, re-illustrated by Edward Gorey in a very attractive book. And, in fact, over the years several talented illustrators have turned this or that individual Belloc verse into a stand-alone book. But of all of them, I think this little book best gives Gorey a run for his money. Victoria Chess’s illustrations make you oh-so-queasy as you read about this foolish little tyke getting “just what he deserves” and being devoured, piece after piece, by a lion. Really, you have to wonder if Shel Silverstein wasn’t thinking about Belloc when he wrote “Boa Constrictor” (“Oh, I'm being eaten/By a boa constrictor/A boa constrictor/A boa constrictor”).
December 22, 2010
Already loving the flaps and fold-outs. Oh Pierre! You have a brother now.
May 27, 2021
Me; a non English speaker who didn't know that a poem about a boy who was eaten by a lion exist: SHOCKED. I mean, who write a book that was supposed to be a children book, wrote/illustrate something about a boy that was eaten to DEATH and the only remain was his head. This book, at first, was too much for me.
But then I discovered that there was a poem. Still, it was not easy for me. I don't think I will read this book to my children, no matter how people told me "It's just a poem".
But then I discovered that there was a poem. Still, it was not easy for me. I don't think I will read this book to my children, no matter how people told me "It's just a poem".
January 29, 2019
Loved it. Very off, witty humor. OMgosh tweens and teens and adults will enjoy this. Kids who have a sick since of humor will enjoy as well. I love the lift the flap and illustrations, they help make the book. Kudos!!
August 13, 2024
I know there are warnings on the front, but I took them light-heartedly - not thinking that there would be a picture of a decapitated boy who's been eaten by a lion. Definitely one to read beforehand to check whether your child will find it hilarious or troubling.
July 29, 2019
Unpleasant, scattered, not clear which page and fold out to open to read.
June 12, 2020
hahaha every see the animated jingle Dumb Ways to Die? Here it is more than 100 years ago.
August 2, 2022
online - great illustrations
November 10, 2022
It is a too scary book for children at a young age and although it may give a good lesson, it may give young children nightmares
November 23, 2024
I wouldn’t share this with my granddaughter, unless I wanted to really frighten her. But I love the illustrations and interactive pages.
January 11, 2011
I grew up on this poem. My mother had it memorized, and we used to beg her to recite it for us. Accordingly, this book is her Little Christmas present. I've borrowed it back.
Now, there's always somebody who comments that little things like dead children are inappropriate for, well, children. If you're one of those people - don't buy this book, save the rest of us the angst. Jim DOES get eaten by a lion, there IS no happy ending, you HAVE been warned. If you're still unsure, the poem is in the public domain, so you can google it and pre-read before you buy.
With that said, since the poem IS available at Project Gutenberg and elsewhere, I'm not going to spend much effort reviewing the text. It's gory and over-the-top and the reaction of the parents when finding about their dead child ("Well, he'd never do as he were told!") is hilariously understated. It's the sort of thing impressionable young children beg their parents to recite over and over again on the train.
Let's talk about the art, though. This is a pop-up book, the pop-ups and flaps seem *reasonably* sturdy (but I'm not pulling at them THAT hard). There are plenty of funny details hidden in the art. For example, the line "They even took him to the zoo. But there it was a dreadful fate befell him, which I now relate" is written on a fold-out map (safely glued to the page, you won't be losing it) of the zoo, with the bylaws on the other side. The map is full of signs along the lines of "It's your own time you're wasting" and "Do not stroke the snakes", and the bylaws have a similarly long-winded list of rules, including "Strictly no ostentatious mating displays" and "No silly voices".
And of course, there's the scene where he gets eaten, which is where flaps really come in handy. First you have the little boy, and then you pull the flap and the boy is eaten but the words remain.
It's clever, it's funny, it's a classic poem - I may buy another for me. And it probably won't warp your kids for life. I, after all, am mostly sane :)
Now, there's always somebody who comments that little things like dead children are inappropriate for, well, children. If you're one of those people - don't buy this book, save the rest of us the angst. Jim DOES get eaten by a lion, there IS no happy ending, you HAVE been warned. If you're still unsure, the poem is in the public domain, so you can google it and pre-read before you buy.
With that said, since the poem IS available at Project Gutenberg and elsewhere, I'm not going to spend much effort reviewing the text. It's gory and over-the-top and the reaction of the parents when finding about their dead child ("Well, he'd never do as he were told!") is hilariously understated. It's the sort of thing impressionable young children beg their parents to recite over and over again on the train.
Let's talk about the art, though. This is a pop-up book, the pop-ups and flaps seem *reasonably* sturdy (but I'm not pulling at them THAT hard). There are plenty of funny details hidden in the art. For example, the line "They even took him to the zoo. But there it was a dreadful fate befell him, which I now relate" is written on a fold-out map (safely glued to the page, you won't be losing it) of the zoo, with the bylaws on the other side. The map is full of signs along the lines of "It's your own time you're wasting" and "Do not stroke the snakes", and the bylaws have a similarly long-winded list of rules, including "Strictly no ostentatious mating displays" and "No silly voices".
And of course, there's the scene where he gets eaten, which is where flaps really come in handy. First you have the little boy, and then you pull the flap and the boy is eaten but the words remain.
It's clever, it's funny, it's a classic poem - I may buy another for me. And it probably won't warp your kids for life. I, after all, am mostly sane :)
November 23, 2010
Looking for a picture book that is far from sweet and a bit wicked? Then look no further! Mini Grey takes the classic tale by Belloc and turns it into a book with lots of tiny details and pop-up pages that make for great fun in reading. The tale is one of Jim, who went to the zoo with his nurse and then slipped away from her. He hadn’t gotten far when a lion grabbed him and began to eat him from the feet up. Jim called for help and a zookeeper came running, but was too late, only Jim’s head was left. The story is written in verse that is dry and naughty. The voice of the poem makes what happens that much more unexpected and delightful. Grey’s illustrations have a modern feel that works well with the tone here. This is a picture book best shared with children who are slightly older and will understand the dark humor at work.
Belloc’s poem makes a great point from which Grey could build such a book. Though the writing is decidedly Edwardian, Grey’s modern illustrations work well with it. Her small touches enliven the book, getting readers interacting with panels to open, a zoo map to view, and a lion’s claws to dodge. Though we may see modern books as those with a darker edge, it took an Edwardian author to create one of the more dark picture books I have read in a long time. Children looking for a sudden happy ending will not find one. They will only find the sly humor of an urn shaped just like Jim’s head that holds his remains.
This is one of those books that readers will either love or hate. Me? I absolutely adored it and read it again and again just to get that same jolt from the ending. You know what kids will love this book. Get it into their hands! It would make an ideal holiday gift for that special child with a wicked sense of humor.
Belloc’s poem makes a great point from which Grey could build such a book. Though the writing is decidedly Edwardian, Grey’s modern illustrations work well with it. Her small touches enliven the book, getting readers interacting with panels to open, a zoo map to view, and a lion’s claws to dodge. Though we may see modern books as those with a darker edge, it took an Edwardian author to create one of the more dark picture books I have read in a long time. Children looking for a sudden happy ending will not find one. They will only find the sly humor of an urn shaped just like Jim’s head that holds his remains.
This is one of those books that readers will either love or hate. Me? I absolutely adored it and read it again and again just to get that same jolt from the ending. You know what kids will love this book. Get it into their hands! It would make an ideal holiday gift for that special child with a wicked sense of humor.
December 18, 2015
How is the story told?
The story is told through Belloc's rhyming couplets.
How do the words and pictures work together?
Much like the layout in The Stinky Cheese Man: And Other Fairly Stupid Tales the font can change size depending on the emphasis Grey wants to place on certain words. This offers a nice opportunity for children to do similar with their own poems that they could illustrate.
The reader is drawn into finding the rhymes at times through rhyming words which are hidden under flaps. The illustrations do a lot to make us feel sorry for Jim unlike the poem itself. Jim seems despondent - I like the fact that the images are contradicting the text.
What techniques can be seen?
There is a lot of play with Grey's placement of the text on certain pages. She also uses the pop-up and lift-the-flap to draw focus to the rhyming pattern of Belloc's poem or to add an element of surprise.
Cross-Curricular Links?
Children could be inspired to create their own pop-up book which illustrates a poem.
World to Text/Interttextual Links
I was reminded of two other texts when I read this. The first was Jim's Lion, illustrated by Alexis Deacon and the level of neglect shown to Jim reminded me of Not Now, Bernard
The story is told through Belloc's rhyming couplets.
How do the words and pictures work together?
Much like the layout in The Stinky Cheese Man: And Other Fairly Stupid Tales the font can change size depending on the emphasis Grey wants to place on certain words. This offers a nice opportunity for children to do similar with their own poems that they could illustrate.
The reader is drawn into finding the rhymes at times through rhyming words which are hidden under flaps. The illustrations do a lot to make us feel sorry for Jim unlike the poem itself. Jim seems despondent - I like the fact that the images are contradicting the text.
What techniques can be seen?
There is a lot of play with Grey's placement of the text on certain pages. She also uses the pop-up and lift-the-flap to draw focus to the rhyming pattern of Belloc's poem or to add an element of surprise.
Cross-Curricular Links?
Children could be inspired to create their own pop-up book which illustrates a poem.
World to Text/Interttextual Links
I was reminded of two other texts when I read this. The first was Jim's Lion, illustrated by Alexis Deacon and the level of neglect shown to Jim reminded me of Not Now, Bernard
February 13, 2017
The most twisted children's book I have ever read.
June 11, 2012
Lots of kids in grades 1st to 5th know Mini Grey from her funny Traction Man books. Her illustrations are perfect for Hillaire Belloc's 1907 text! This is fun to read aloud to kids in elementary school, who are surprised and delighted to see the severed head of the misbehaving boy. It was, however, a bit too much for grades K & 1st, and for those classes where the school or the teacher is overbearing and oppressively rules-oriented.
November 2, 2010
I do enjoy myself a good off kilter children's book, but this is going a little far. A lion eating a naughty child can be well done, like in Maurice Sendak'sPierre. But seeing little boy meat is ehh.
Please don't share this with young children.
Please don't share this with young children.
May 24, 2011
I read this today with my daughter's class. What a fabulous book! The illustrations are brilliant even if the story is a little on the gory side and sure to give small children nightmares! This is a new edition that has flaps and fold outs and makes for a very interesting read.
November 26, 2015
Nice design, scary lion pop-up. Does what it says on the tin. Kids young and older will be entertained and hopefully SCARED STRAIGHT
suggestion: replace "nurse" with "nanny" if you live in the U.S. in modern times
suggestion: replace "nurse" with "nanny" if you live in the U.S. in modern times
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October 19, 2011After seeing this I want to see the actual book pronto. Seems a match made in heaven (Grey and Belloc).
September 26, 2010
a really grim fable... but sort of cute at the same time?
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October 19, 2010great read for toddlers - grade 2
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April 12, 2011Ok, I'm not sure this book was for me, but my son loved it.
July 24, 2011
Good god! What a horrible story! But I liked it...and we shall see how my son sleeps tonight if he remembers the tale.
October 29, 2011
This book is filled with gorgeous, sometimes grisly, illustrations. Cheeky with a clear message, not for the faint of heart...
November 6, 2011
Brilliant book to read aloud to 8-11 year olds. The zoo rules and byelaws are "hilaireious "(no apologies for pun).
February 10, 2014
Very funny, a bit gory. Some British languagethat is unusual.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews