Cannonball Coralie and the Lion

By Author / Illustrator

Grace Easton

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

3+

Publisher

Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd

ISBN

9781786030313

Format

Hardback

Published

03-05-2018

Synopsis

Coralie longs to join the circus - but the Man in the Big Hat says her tricks just aren't good enough. With the help of her new friend, Lion, Coralie realises she's perfect just the way she is. A heart-warming story about the friendship between a girl and a lion, this fun, quirky picture book celebrates daring to be different the importance of standing up for yourself.

Reviews

Lucy

A nice story based around an unlikely friendship between a little girl and a lion! The girl, Coralie, lives in the woods and doesn't like to follow the rules of society. She likes doing tricks and playing in the woods but she feels quite lonely. Without warning, a group of circus acts come trooping through the woods. Coralie watches in awe as they pass through the woods and then she decides to follow them. Eventually they arrive at the circus where Coralie and the lion begin to make friends. The circus leader in his very large hat gets cross with Coralie and says she isn't talented enough to be in their show unless she wants to be a human cannonball! Will she dare? Is it worth it to maintain her friendship with Lion and be able to stay with her new friends? This pleasant story has a satisfying ending where true friendship conquers. The main bulk of the story could have benefited from more detail but it does have a positive message and moral behind it. Picture book / Ages 3+ / Reviewed by Lucy Newton, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+

Kyle

Cannonball Coralie is a charming story of friendship. Coralie is alone and longs to join the circus so she can show off her skills. Then one day a whole host of circus performers march past her in the woods - including a lion! Coralie bravely follows the parade of performers until they arrive at a place of lights and colours, like none she has seen before. Mesmerised by it all, Coralie asks if she can stay and share her skills. The ringmaster agrees but unfortunately does not believe Coralie is skilled enough to do anything other than be the human cannonball. Coralie musters all her strength and completes the trick to the amazement of the crowd, however, the ringmaster is not so impressed and banishes her from the circus. It is at this point where Coralie realises she is no longer alone as her new friends come to the rescue. She soon finds that her life is now full of friends who share her talents and what to be around her. The children I read this to really connected with this part pf the story and wanted to to express their own experiences of when friends had been there for them. Many of my children also really enjoyed making links between the book and 'The Greatest Showman' which they had recently watched and enjoyed. Grace Easton has written a book that not only uses language to engage and enthuse readers, but also to share an important message about friendship. The illustrations that accompany the book are beautiful and are certainly in keeping with the style of the book. Reading it you can really feel yourself becoming emotionally connected to story and feeling great satisfaction when the ringmaster gets taught a valuable lesson. I would recommend this book to be used in schools in circle times when discussing making and maintaining friendships. Picture book / Ages 4+ / Reviewed by Kyle Matravers, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 5+

 

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