Christian, the lion who was adopted from a London department store by the authors (and whose story has garnered worldwide attention via a popular YouTube video), narrates this scrapbook-style account, based on the authors' 1971 work, A Lion Called Christian
. Captions and photographs (both in b&w and color) create an entertaining and lighthearted portrait of the lion, beginning with images of his “dad” and “mom” at England's Ilfracombe Zoo Park, followed by his life after being adopted by Bourke and Rendall (a section titled “Exploring!” shows Christian sheepishly chewing on a trash basket and rummaging through a drawer of clothes). When Christian finally ends up in Kenya, he declares, “My new home! Africa was very different. It was very hot and dry.” An endnote from Bourke and Rendall explains the circumstances of their moving reunion with Christian a year after leaving him in Kenya. Animal lovers in general as well as those already familiar with this true story should appreciate the intimate, visual presentation. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)
