Lion vs Rabbit

Picture books are one of my favourite format of books. Good ones are able to move me, sometimes far more than a big chunky adult book that is supposed to be a tear jerker Sometimes I find then a little too calculated. I love how Picture Books have a kind of innocence that hangs over them.
I also love how authors are able to draw parallels, sometimes obscure ones between what is going on in the picture book and with real life. This book by Alex Latimer isn't obscure at all but does deal with a situation that many children, unfortunately will face.
Lion is a bully. A big, nasty bully. He does all sorts of mean things. He gives Buffalo a wedgie; he sticks a sign on Zebra, that says "I am a horse". He is mean and needs teaching a lesson.
Sadly it appears that there is no animal in Africa capable of teaching him this lesson. so the animals put out an  online advert for the strongest animals in the world to come and sort him out.
Moose comes from America, and challenges Lion to a fencing bout(!). Moose loses, Lion is triumphant. Bear comes from Russia, and Lion beats him, and Tiger comes from India, and Lion trounces him. The animals are distraught.
Then, from Europe,  Rabbit turns up. He's small and Lion is almost kind. He lets Rabbit choose the challenges that they will undergo. Rabbit is smart. The rabbit chooses a marshmallow eating contest. Who wouldn't? Rabbit wins. So follows a series of challenges where Lion and Rabbit go head to head. Lion knows he can beat the rabbit, but Rabbit has other ideas.
This book is one of my favourite picture books this year. It has a lovely moral, that even if you are stronger than everyone else, you don't flaunt it, you respect others and you do not bully other people. Shamefully I didn't get the plot twist until right at the very end. My excuse is that I was enjoying the book so much.
Lion vs Rabbit is a wonderful book, it is very funny and the images are rather wonderful, the look on Lion's face when Rabbit challenges him to an art contest is superb. It's the little touches too that abound in the book that really make it an absolute riot. It's a lovely addition to a young child's library.
Please buy it, read it and love it!