'Library Lion' read by Mindy Sterling

Summary

In 'Library Lion' by Michelle Knudsen, a lion's unexpected visit to the library starts as a disruption but soon turns into a heartwarming tale of belonging. Initially causing a stir, the lion wins over the librarian and patrons with his gentle nature and helpfulness. However, when he breaks the 'no roaring' rule to seek help for an injured librarian, he faces banishment. The community's realization of his importance leads to a new rule, embracing the lion's return and highlighting the message that sometimes rules are meant to be broken for a good cause.

Takeaways

• 🦁 'Library Lion' is a story about a lion that visits the library and becomes a part of the community.
• 📚 The lion's presence in the library initially causes confusion as there are no rules about lions.
• 🔍 The head librarian, Miss Merriweather, decides not to intervene as long as the lion is not breaking any rules.
• 🛋️ The lion becomes a regular at story hour and eventually helps around the library, earning the affection of the staff and patrons.
• 📖 The lion's actions, such as dusting encyclopedias and helping children reach books, show his integration into the library routine.
• 🤔 Mr. McBee, a staff member, is skeptical about the lion's presence, believing that lions do not understand or belong in the library.
• 😭 A turning point occurs when the lion roars to get help for Miss Merriweather after she falls and potentially breaks her arm.
• 🚫 The lion, realizing he broke the 'no roaring' rule, feels he must leave the library.
• 🏥 Miss Merriweather, despite her injury, acknowledges that sometimes rules can be broken for good reasons, like helping someone in need.
• 🏆 Mr. McBee introduces a new rule that allows roaring in the library for valid reasons, leading to the lion's return and a changed perspective on rules and exceptions.

Q & A

What is the title of the book that Mindy Sterling introduces in the video?

The title of the book is 'Library Lion'.

Who are the author and illustrator of 'Library Lion'?

Michelle Knudsen is the author and Kevin Hawkes is the illustrator of 'Library Lion'.

Why did Mr. McBee run to Miss Merriweather's office?

Mr. McBee ran to Miss Merriweather's office because there was a lion in the library.

What was Miss Merriweather's initial response to the lion's presence in the library?

Miss Merriweather's initial response was to ask if the lion was breaking any rules, and upon learning he wasn't, she instructed Mr. McBee to leave the lion be.

What did the lion do during story hour?

The lion attended story hour, listened to the stories, and stayed until the children started to leave.

Why did the lion roar at the end of story hour?

The lion roared because he wanted to continue listening to stories, but the children informed him that story hour was over and it was time to go.

What was the little girl's suggestion to Miss Merriweather regarding the lion?

The little girl suggested that if the lion promised to be quiet, he could come back for story hour the next day.

How did the lion help around the library?

The lion helped by dusting the encyclopedias, licking envelopes for overdue notices, and letting children stand on his back to reach high shelves.

What incident caused the lion to break the library's quiet rule?

The lion broke the quiet rule when he roared loudly after Miss Merriweather fell and injured herself, trying to get Mr. McBee's attention.

Why did the lion not return to the library after the incident with Miss Merriweather?

The lion did not return to the library because he believed he had broken the rules by roaring and expected to be banned from the library.

How did Mr. McBee help the lion return to the library?

Mr. McBee helped the lion return by creating a new rule that allowed roaring under certain circumstances, such as helping a friend in need, and informing the lion about this change.

Outlines

00:00

🦁 Library Lion's Arrival and Adjustment

The story introduces Mindy Sterling narrating the tale of 'Library Lion' by Michelle Knudsen. A lion enters a library, surprising the staff, but continues to explore without breaking any rules. The head librarian, Miss Merriweather, allows the lion to stay as long as he behaves. The lion becomes a regular at story hour, eventually helping around the library and becoming an asset to the community. However, Mr. McBee, another staff member, is skeptical about the lion's presence, believing lions don't understand library rules.

05:01

🤔 The Lion's Dilemma and Miss Merriweather's Fall

The lion continues to assist in the library, but one day, Miss Merriweather falls while reaching for a book, injuring herself. The lion, in an attempt to get help, roars loudly, breaking the library's quiet rule. Mr. McBee, upset by the noise, rushes to Miss Merriweather's aid, while the lion, feeling guilty for breaking the rules, leaves the library. Despite the lion's absence, the library patrons miss him and his contributions.

10:04

📚 The Lion's Return and Rule Change

After the lion's departure, Mr. McBee realizes the importance of the lion's help and decides to look for him. He finds the lion outside the library and informs him of a new rule: roaring is allowed if there's a good reason, like helping a friend. The next day, Mr. McBee tells Miss Merriweather that the lion has returned. The story concludes with the message that sometimes, rules can be broken for good reasons, even in a library, and the joy of the lion's return is celebrated.

Keywords

💡Library

A library is a place where books, periodicals, and sometimes films and musical materials are kept for reading, studying, and reference. In the video, the library serves as the central setting where the lion's story unfolds, highlighting the theme of community and learning. The library becomes a place of acceptance and growth, as the lion becomes a part of the library's community.

💡Lion

A lion is a large, powerful carnivorous mammal with a tawny coat, a hairy tuft at the end of its tail, and a typical 'roar'. In the script, the lion symbolizes the unexpected and the potential for change. His presence in the library challenges the status quo and leads to the development of new rules, reflecting the theme of adaptability and the acceptance of the unusual.

💡Rules

Rules are a set of defined instructions or principles. In the context of the video, rules initially govern the behavior within the library. However, the lion's actions prompt a reevaluation of these rules, emphasizing the idea that rules can be flexible and that exceptions can be made for good reasons, thus challenging the rigidity of rules.

💡Story Hour

Story Hour refers to a scheduled time when stories are read aloud to an audience, often children, in a library or similar setting. In the video, Story Hour is a recurring event that the lion attends, indicating his integration into the library's routine and his role in fostering a love for reading among children.

💡Miss Merriweather

Miss Merriweather is the head librarian in the story, representing authority and adherence to rules. Her character evolves as she adapts to the lion's presence, demonstrating the theme of flexibility and the importance of balance between rules and compassion, as seen when she allows the lion to return after understanding his actions.

💡Mr. McBee

Mr. McBee is a character who initially reacts with alarm to the lion's presence, symbolizing resistance to change. His character arc reflects the theme of growth and acceptance, as he eventually helps reintegrate the lion into the library, showing that even the most rule-abiding individuals can change their views.

💡Helpfulness

Helpfulness refers to the quality of being willing to help others. The lion's helpfulness is a key aspect of his character, as he assists in various tasks around the library, such as dusting encyclopedias and helping children reach books. This trait contributes to the lion's acceptance and the theme of community service.

💡Acceptance

Acceptance is the act of being willing to receive or undertake something. In the video, the library patrons' acceptance of the lion signifies the theme of inclusivity. The lion, initially an outsider, becomes a valued member of the library community, illustrating the importance of embracing differences.

💡Quiet

Quiet refers to a state of low or no sound. In the context of the library, quiet is a rule that the lion initially breaks with his roar. However, the story shows that sometimes breaking the quiet can be justified, as when the lion roars to get help for Miss Merriweather, highlighting the theme of exceptions for the greater good.

💡Roar

A roar is a loud, deep cry or sound made by certain animals, such as lions. In the video, the lion's roar is a significant action that leads to both his initial exclusion and eventual acceptance. The roar symbolizes the lion's power and the need for communication, even when it disrupts the norm.

💡Rules Breaking

Rules breaking is the act of violating established rules or regulations. The video explores the concept that sometimes breaking the rules can be necessary, as seen when the lion roars to get help for Miss Merriweather. This action leads to a new rule that allows for exceptions, emphasizing the theme of adaptability and the importance of context in rule enforcement.

Highlights

Introduction to the book 'Library Lion' by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.

A lion enters the library and starts exploring, raising concerns among the staff.

Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, decides not to intervene as the lion is not breaking any rules.

The lion becomes a regular at story hour, listening intently to the stories being read.

The lion's presence initially makes the story lady nervous, but she continues reading.

After story hour ends, the lion expresses his desire to stay with a loud roar.

Miss Merriweather confronts the lion about the noise, reminding him of the library's quiet rules.

A little girl suggests allowing the lion to return if he promises to be quiet.

The lion returns the next day and begins helping around the library with various tasks.

The library patrons grow accustomed to the lion's presence and find him helpful.

Mr. McBee, a staff member, remains skeptical about the lion's place in the library.

The lion assists Miss Merriweather with a task, leading to an accident where she might have broken her arm.

The lion breaks the rules by roaring loudly to get help for Miss Merriweather.

Miss Merriweather acknowledges that sometimes rules can be broken for good reasons.

The lion does not return to the library, leaving the staff and patrons missing his help.

Mr. McBee goes out of his way to find the lion and reassures him that there's a new rule allowing roaring in emergencies.

The lion is welcomed back to the library, highlighting the theme of flexibility and compassion.

Mindy Sterling concludes by encouraging listeners to visit the library and enjoy its resources.

Transcripts

Hi. Welcome to the Screen Actors Guild Foundation Storyline Online.

I'm Mindy Sterling and I get a great chance to share this wonderful book with you.

I just found it recently and fell in love with it.

It's called Library Lion and it's written by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

One Day, a lion came to the library.

He walked right past the circulation desk and up into the stacks.

Mr. McBee ran down the hall to the head librarian's office.

"Miss Merriweather!" he called.

"No running," said Miss Merriweather, without looking up.

"But there's a lion!" said Mr. McBee. "In the library!"

"Is he breaking any rules?" asked Miss Merriweather.

She was very particular about rule breaking.

"Well, no," said Mr. McBee. "Not really."

"Then leave him be."

The lion wandered all around the library.

He sniffed the card catalog.

He rubbed his head against the new book collection.

Then he padded over to the story corner and went to sleep.

No one was sure what to do.

There weren't any rules about lions in the library.

Soon it was time for story hour.

There weren't any rules about lions at story hour, either.

The story lady seemed a little nervous.

But she read out the first book's title in a good, clear voice.

The lion looked up.

The story lady kept reading.

The lion stayed for the next story. And the story after that.

He waited for another story, but the children began to walk away.

"Story hour is over," a little girl told him. "It's time to go."

The lion looked at the children.

He looked at the story lady. He looked at the closed books.

Then he roared very loud.

Miss Merriweather came striding out of her office.

"Who is making that noise?" she demanded.

"It's the lion," said Mr. McBee.

Miss Merriweather marched over to the lion.

"If you cannot be quiet, you will have to leave," she said in a stern voice.

"Those are the rules!"

The lion kept roaring.

He sounded sad.

The little girl tugged on Miss Merriweather's dress.

"If he promises to be quiet, can he come back for story hour tomorrow?" she asked.

The lion stopped roaring. He looked at Miss Merriweather.

Miss Merriweather looked back. Then she said,

"Yes. A nice, quiet lion would certainly be allowed to come back for story hour tomorrow."

"Hooray!" said the children.

The next day, the lion came back.

"You are early," said Miss Merriweather.

"Story hour is not until three o'clock."

The lion did not budge.

"Very well," said Miss Merriweather.

"You might as well make yourself useful."

She sent him off to dust the encyclopedias until it was time for story hour.

The next day, the lion came early again.

This time, Miss Merriweather asked him to lick all the envelopes for the overdue notices.

Soon the lion began doing things without being asked.

He dusted the encyclopedias. He licked the envelopes.

He let small children stand on his back to reach books on the highest shelves.

Then he curled up in the story corner to wait for story hour to begin.

At first, the people in the library were nervous about the lion.

But soon they got used to having him around.

In fact, he seemed very well suited for the library.

His big feet were quiet on the library floor.

He made a comfy backrest for the children at story hour.

And he never roared in the library anymore.

"What a helpful lion," people said.

They patted his soft head as he walked by.

"How did we ever get along without him?"

Mr. McBee scowled when he heard that.

They had always gotten along fine before.

No lions were needed!

Lions, he thought, could not understand the rules.

They did not belong in the library.

One day, after he had dusted all the encyclopedias

and licked all the envelopes and helped all the small children,

the lion padded down the hall to Miss Merriweather's office to see what else there was to do.

There was still some time left before story hour.

"Hello, Lion," said Miss Merriweather.

"I know something you can do.

You can bring a book back into the stacks for me.

Let me just get it down from the shelf."

Miss Merriweather stepped up onto the step stool.

The book was just out of reach.

Miss Merriweather stood on her toes.

She stretched out her fingers.

"Almost...there..." she said.

Then Miss Merriweather stretched a little too far.

"Ouch," said Miss Merriweather softly.

She did not get up.

"Mr. McBee!" she called after a minute. "Mr. McBee!"

But Mr. McBee was at the circulation desk.

He could not hear her calling. "Lion," said Miss Merriweather.

"Please go and get Mr. McBee."

The lion ran down the hall.

"No running," Miss Merriweather called after him.

The lion put his big front paws up on the circulation desk and looked at Mr. McBee.

"Go away, Lion," said Mr. McBee. "I'm busy."

The lion whined.

He pointed his nose down the hall toward Miss Merriweather's office.

Mr. McBee ignored him.

Finally, the lion did the only thing he could think of to do.

He looked Mr. McBee right in the eye.

Then he opened his mouth very wide.

And he roared the loudest roar he had ever roared in his life.

Mr. McBee gasped.

"You're not being quiet!" he said to the lion.

"You're breaking the rules!"

Mr. McBee walked down the hall as fast as he could.

The lion did not follow him.

He had broken the rules.

He knew what that meant.

He hung his head and walked toward the doors.

Mr. McBee did not notice.

"Miss Merriweather!" he called as he walked. "Miss Merriweather!

The lion broke the rules! The lion broke the rules!"

He burst into Miss Merriweather's office.

She was not in her chair. "Miss Merriweather?" he asked.

"Sometimes," said Miss Merriweather from the floor behind her desk,

"there is a good reason to break the rules. Even in the library.

Now please go call a doctor. I think I've broken my arm."

Mr. McBee ran to call a doctor.

"No running!" Miss Merriweather called after him.

The next day, things were back to normal. Almost.

Miss Merriweather's left arm was in a cast.

The doctor had told her not to work too hard.

"I will have my lion to help me," Miss Merriweather thought.

But the lion did not come to the library that morning.

At three o'clock, Miss Merriweather walked over to the story corner.

The story lady was just beginning a story for the children.

The lion was not there.

People in the library kept looking up from their books and computer screens,

hoping they would see a familiar furry face.

But the lion did not come that day.

The lion did not come the next day, either. Or the day after that.

One evening, Mr. McBee stopped by Miss Merriweather's office on his way out.

"Can I do anything for you before I go, Miss Merriweather?" he asked her.

"No, thank you," said Miss Merriweather.

She was looking out the window.

Her voice was very quiet. Even for the library.

Mr. McBee frowned as he walked away.

He thought there was probably something he could do for Miss Merriweather, after all.

Mr. McBee left the library.

But he did not go home.

He walked around the neighborhood.

He looked under cars. He looked behind bushes.

He looked in backyards and trash cans and tree houses.

Finally he circled all the way back to the library.

The lion was sitting outside, looking in through the glass doors.

"Hello, Lion," said Mr. McBee.

The lion did not turn around.

"I thought you might like to know," said Mr. McBee,

"that there's a new rule at the library.

No roaring allowed, unless you have a very good reason -

say, if you're trying to help a friend who's been hurt, for example."

The lion's ears twitched.

He turned around. But Mr. McBee was already walking away.

The next day, Mr. McBee walked down the hall to Miss Merriweather's office.

"What is it, Mr. McBee?" asked Miss Merriweather in her new, sad, quiet voice.

"I thought you might like to know," said Mr. McBee,

"that there's a lion. In the library."

Miss Merriweather jumped up from her chair and ran down the hall.

Mr. McBee smiled. "No running!" he called after her.

Miss Merriweather didn't listen.

Sometimes there was a good reason to break the rules. Even in the library.

I love this book!

And there are so many other books just like this

and other types of stories with other kinds animals in the library

and it's so easy

to just go there and check out a book or read a book in the library

and they even have people that will tell stories so check that out

Well, hopefully, I'll see you in the library someday.