About the Author

Michelle Knudsen is the New York Times best-selling author of Library Lion and Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten, both illustrated by Kevin Hawkes; as well as the Trelian middle-grade fantasy trilogy, the Evil Librarian YA horror-comedy trilogy, and many other books for young readers. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Kevin Hawkes is the illustrator of more than forty books for children, including Library Lion and Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten, both by Michelle Knudsen; Weslandia by Paul Fleischman; and The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Godol by Arthur A. Levine. Kevin Hawkes lives in southern Maine.

Reviews

Proves that every now and then you have to break the rules.
—New York Times Book Review

This winsome pairing of text and illustration is a natural for storytime and a first purchase for every collection.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Knudsen's gentle tale of a revered yet welcoming community destination will ring true for many readers. Hawkes's (Weslandia) evocative, soft-hued acrylic-and-pencil illustrations have a timeless feel, depicting a cozy book-filled haven that any story fan would love to visit, rules and all.
—Publishers Weekly

Knudsen and Hawkes pick a perfect setting to express the idea that breaking rules can sometimes be a good thing.
—Kirkus Reviews

Appealing. . . . Children will easily see themselves in the wild lion, who yearns to explore and enjoy the library but worries about the constraining rules.
—Booklist

A beautiful book that is sure to be shared and wept over again and again.
—The Bloomsbury Review

A picture book treat for any library lover.
—Nancy Pearl Book Reviews, KUOW Radio “The Beat"

Sweetly celebrating all things bookish and guaranteed to tickle young readers’ funny bones.
—Child

Kevin Hawkes’ illustrations are a brilliant fit, rendering the lion’s softness and a modern library seen from a child’s eye level.
—Chicago Tribune

There are lessons here about making assumptions, breaking rules and taking care of friends.
—San Francisco Chronicle

The happy ending will leave a smile on children’s faces whether they read it themselves or hear it as a read-aloud.
—Kansas City Star

The delights of a small-town library come to life in this charming tale.
—Star-Ledger

An old-fashioned, heart-warming storybook.
—Louisville Courier-Journal

Written and illustrated in the orderly style of mid-20th century classics such as Andy and the Lion, the story’s special charm is in the characters.
—Times-Picayune

With masterful subtleness, [Hawkes] evokes emotions and movement around this magnificent furry lion.
—Sacramento Bee

If you can buy only one book this is the one.
—Daily Herald, featured in "Good Reads for Kids"

A very gentle book with a good word to say about breaking the rules.
—Detroit Free Press

Graceful details add to the retro feel of this utterly delightful book. Curl up at your favorite library with this winner of a tale!
—BookPage

This beautifully illustrated story will be a joy to read over and over again with your little cubs at bedtime.
—Houston Family Magazine

This is a book parent and child will enjoy again and again.
—About Family Magazine

Proves that every now and then you have to break the rules.
-New York Times Book Review

This winsome pairing of text and illustration is a natural for storytime and a first purchase for every collection.
-School Library Journal (starred review)

Knudsen's gentle tale of a revered yet welcoming community destination will ring true for many readers. Hawkes's (Weslandia) evocative, soft-hued acrylic-and-pencil illustrations have a timeless feel, depicting a cozy book-filled haven that any story fan would love to visit, rules and all.
-Publishers Weekly

Knudsen and Hawkes pick a perfect setting to express the idea that breaking rules can sometimes be a good thing.
-Kirkus Reviews

Appealing. . . . Children will easily see themselves in the wild lion, who yearns to explore and enjoy the library but worries about the constraining rules.
-Booklist

A beautiful book that is sure to be shared and wept over again and again.
-The Bloomsbury Review

A picture book treat for any library lover.
-Nancy Pearl Book Reviews, KUOW Radio "The Beat"

Sweetly celebrating all things bookish and guaranteed to tickle young readers' funny bones.
-Child

Kevin Hawkes' illustrations are a brilliant fit, rendering the lion's softness and a modern library seen from a child's eye level.
-Chicago Tribune

There are lessons here about making assumptions, breaking rules and taking care of friends.
-San Francisco Chronicle

The happy ending will leave a smile on children's faces whether they read it themselves or hear it as a read-aloud.
-Kansas City Star

The delights of a small-town library come to life in this charming tale.
-Star-Ledger

An old-fashioned, heart-warming storybook.
-Louisville Courier-Journal

Written and illustrated in the orderly style of mid-20th century classics such as Andy and the Lion, the story's special charm is in the characters.
-Times-Picayune

With masterful subtleness, [Hawkes] evokes emotions and movement around this magnificent furry lion.
-Sacramento Bee

If you can buy only one book this is the one.
-Daily Herald, featured in "Good Reads for Kids"

A very gentle book with a good word to say about breaking the rules.
-Detroit Free Press

Graceful details add to the retro feel of this utterly delightful book. Curl up at your favorite library with this winner of a tale!
-BookPage

This beautifully illustrated story will be a joy to read over and over again with your little cubs at bedtime.
-Houston Family Magazine

This is a book parent and child will enjoy again and again.
-About Family Magazine