Honey... Honey... Lion! - Softcover

Brett, Jan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0147513529 ISBN 13: 9780147513526

Publisher: Puffin Books, 2014

Synopsis

The African plains provide a stunning environment for Jan Brett's latest animal adventure. For as long as anyone can remember, the honeyguide bird and the African honey badger have been partners when it comes to honey:Honeyguide finds the honeycomb, Badger breaks it open, and they share the sweetness inside.

But this day, Badger keeps all the honey for himself. Foolish Badger!

In no time, Honeyguide leads Badger on a fast chase. Badger thinks it's for honey; but Honeyguide has a surprise waiting for her greedy friend.

As they swim across a pond, push through a thicket of reeds, leap over a huge anthill, a menagerie of exotic animals passes the news along in a kind of animal Bush Telegraph. Finally Badger faces a lift-the-flap page, revealing the twist that teaches Badger a lesson. Can you guess who's under that flap?

Honey . . . Honey . . . Lion! will surely become a family favorite for readers of all ages.

About this title

About the Author:

Jan Brett and her husband, Joe, have visited Botswana three times. Their guide, Ali Tiego, told them the true story of the honeyguide, and then the legend—if you don’t share the honey, the next time the honeyguide will lead you to a lion! “Ali taught us that large cats could be hiding anywhere, especially under the candle pod acacia,” Jan says. “In Tswana, the language of Botswana, this shrub is called ‘the house of the lion.’”

How does news travel without any telephones? “It’s a bush telegraph, we were told. Ali is always listening to the sounds. The yelp of a jackal or a guinea hen’s cackle spells out a whole story—if you know how to listen."

You can visit Jan Brett at www.janbrett.com

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 2–This title is based on the legend of the honeyguide, an African bird that leads an animal to a honeycomb and then shares the spoils once the stronger creature has broken it open. In Brett's version, Honeyguide takes revenge upon a greedy honey badger that refuses to share the sweet treat. She leads him on a merry chase that ends up not at a honeycomb but at the lair of a lion. Badger's pursuit of the honeyguide and flight from the lion are reminiscent of We're Going on a Bear Hunt, with each landmark and sound effect revisited on the return journey. Brett has created another lush winner with beautifully detailed illustrations of the animals and a clear, fast-paced story. Honeyguide's anger and subsequent punishment of Badger is witnessed by the other animals that form a bush telegraph, passing news along from individual to individual. This process is visualized on the edges of each page in typical Brett style–a story within a story. This lovely title works equally well for storyhours or for one-on-one sharing. Readers interested in other versions of the legend can check out Francesca Martin's The Honey Hunters (Candlewick, 1994).–Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA
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About this edition

• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0147513529
• ISBN 13: 9780147513526
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Brett Jan