Lion & Tiger & Bear

December 21, 2015
Long (Fright Club) kicks off a series featuring a trio of pals: Lion, Tiger, and Bear. Lion is trying to paint by himself, but Bear and Tiger want to play tag. “Artists need peace and quiet,” Lion tells his friends. The more he tries to make himself “extremely unavailable,” the more his friends (who have quickly realized that two-person tag is unsatisfying) just can’t quit him. Finally, a compromise is struck: Tiger and Bear will postpone tag until Lion finishes his painting—which, in a mild bit of comic irony, turns out to be a tribute to their friendship. Long’s sketchlike story seems designed to establish the characters’ personalities—fussy, exuberant, and sweetly clueless, respectively—and the parameters of their friendship; it’s not unlike watching a TV pilot. But the pacing and framings hit their marks, Long’s cartoon stylings give the book a breezy feel, and there’s enough of a friendly, goofy vibe to make readers wonder where Long will take these characters next. Ages 5–7. Agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management.

January 15, 2016
Long's amusing cartoon-style animals work through friendship issues, balancing alone time with playtime in a picture book that introduces three new, recurring characters. One sunny day, Lion is "enjoying some time in his Alone Spot when suddenly" his good friend Bear startles the feline Picasso, shouting, "TAG! YOU'RE IT!" Lion is not happy about being disturbed, so Bear runs off to play with Tiger--who straightaway tags Lion. Lion just wants some peace and quiet to finish his painting. The tension escalates as the two troublemakers keep pestering Lion. "But it's playtime," insists Tiger. Lion tries to separate himself, but finally he reaches his breaking point and shouts back, "PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE! I do NOT want to play!" Long's digital artwork keeps the tone light, with pastel colors, clean lines, and exaggerated expressions; those expressions, body language, and speech bubbles do the heavy narrative lifting, with just a few lines of narrative stitching the action together. Once Lion promises that he'll play after his painting is done, Tiger and Bear leave him alone to work. Long skillfully avoids didacticism while showing children how they can use their words to navigate the tricky waters of friendship. Young readers will giggle at the final page as Lion tags Bear in the never-ending favorite childhood game.A humorous reminder of the importance of time alone. (Picture book. 3-6)

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March 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-Long's fans will embrace this tale of friendship with its fun, colorful digitally created cartoon illustrations. The book opens with Lion intently painting a picture, when Bear sneaks up and tags him, in hopes of starting this game with his friend. Annoyed Lion does not join in, but Bear gets Tiger to play instead. Lion still does not want to play when Tiger tags him. Lion even makes a wall out of sticks so his friends will get the message. "Lion made himself extremely unavailable." Tiger and Bear continue playing tag by themselves but eventually try double teaming Lion in hopes he will change his mind. But this doesn't work, either. "PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE! I do NOT want to play! I just want to finish my painting!" Tiger then asks, "Okay but do you promise you'll play when you're done?" Lion agrees. Illustrations work well with the text. The story ends with the three friends sitting down to enjoy Lion's painting. Guess who wants to start the next game of tag? VERDICT This lighthearted story about conflict resolution with friends is a good addition to public and school libraries.-Robin Sofge, Alexandria Library, VA

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