Jim's Lion

Description

Russell Hoban's moving, unflinching tale of a boy who finds bravery during illness is dramatically reimagined in graphic-novel format with new art by Alexis Deacon. From the incomparable Russell Hoban comes a moving, unflinching tale of a boy who finds bravery during illness, beautifully re-imagined as a graphic-novel by award-winning illustrator Alexis Deacon. Asleep in his hospital bed, Jim dreams of a great lion with white teeth and amber eyes. This lion is Jim's finder. According to Nurse Bami, everyone has a finder, a creature who comes looking for us when we are lost. But when the time comes for Jim's operation, will his lion be able to find him and bring him safely home? With the inclusion of powerful dream sequences, and a triumphant message of facing one's fears, Russell Hoban's tale of a boy's search for strength and courage will resonate with any child dealing with adversity or sickness.

Russell Hoban was the renowned author of many famous novels, including Turtle Diary (which was made into a film starring Ben Kingsley and Glenda Jackson) and Riddley Walker, which won the John W. Campbell Award for science fiction. He also wrote over 50 children's books, including such classics as The Mouse and His Child, Bedtime for Frances, How Tom Beat Captain Najork and The Sea-Thing Child. Born in Pennsylvania in 1925, he moved to London in 1969, and spent the rest of his life there. Alexis Deacon's first picture book Slow Loris was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award. His second Beegu was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award and selected by the New York Times as one of the year's best illustrated children's books. In 2008, he was chosen as one of the Booktrust's ten Best New Illustrators. About illustrating Jim's Lion, Alexis says, "I wanted the reader to see the choices Jim makes in his dreams. Will he turn and run or will he keep on walking?" Alexis lives in South East London. Visit his website at www.alexisdeacon.co.uk.

Deacon's reimagining of Hoban's 2001 tale is a visually stunning masterpiece, bursting with energy, emotion and spirit. Jim's dreamscapes are hauntingly atmospheric and elegantly rendered, combining simple motifs with pages bursting with life and colour. A dark and magical story told through a superb marriage of words and art. Children's Books Ireland Recommended Read It lingers long in the mind. -- Carousel Carousel A beautiful celebration of the importance of kindness and the life-affirming power of our imaginations, this deeply moving tale about a very ill boy is part story, part graphic novel. A masterpiece, this book was shortlisted for this year's CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. -- Nicky Parker Amnesty International