The Lion & The Mouse

By: Jerry PinkneyPublished by: Little, Brown and Company

Winner of 2010 Caldecott MedalPresentation by: Kayla Johnson

Style & Media

• This book is told entirely through pictures (aside from an occasional use of an onomatopoeia). Pinkney’s illustrations are realistic, and he achieves this through painterly media including watercolor.

Line

Pinkney uses various lines throughout. In these two pictures, the lines are vertical, indicating movement.

The Picture above uses diagonal lines to indicate that the lion is moving deeper into the forest. The picture to the right uses diagonal lines to show the car continuing on the path.

Shape

• Pinkney uses recognizable shapes to convey his story. The setting of The Lion & The Mouse is most likely an African plain. The illustrations are mostly comprised of curved shapes, which is representational of things found in the wild.

More About Shape

• The story, however, does include a vehicle in the wild. It is created with an angular shape.

Colors Creating Setting

Pinkney uses colors that create an authentic setting. He uses various shades of brown, yellow, and orange. These are the colors that come to mind when I think of the plains of Africa. These warm colors also help to convey climate. When the lion moves into the forest, Pinkney uses cool colors. Although the colors are realistic, they also communicate that the climate has changed.

Colors Creating MoodColors also help to describe that the character is in danger (or soon will be).

On the left of each picture set, the setting isn’t dangerous. On the right, the character is getting ready to (or is already in) a dangerous situation.

Notice how the lion’s fur changes from a light orange/yellow into a dark red and orange.

The setting changes from warm yellow to cautioning dark green and brown.

The illustrations used create a 3 dimensional feel. The lion’s mane looks fluffy, soft, and wispy. It creates a sense that the reader can actually touch the lion. The brush strokes and layers of color also lend a helping hand in creating complexity.

Texture

Composition

The composition of the illustrations is irregularly balanced. There is also consistent object dominance throughout. In the pictures below, the lion and the vehicle are the dominant objects.