Busy Ida, a precocious white youngster, noticed everything in her town, especially things that other people didn’t. That’s why she saw the Hedge Lion. She knew it was a lion, even though he blended into the sidewalk hedges, complete with sticks, leaves, birds, and bugs nestled in his mane. Terrific line drawings with effective use of hatching lend charm to the cityscape and create camouflage for the shy lion. Springtime colors, with a notable sunshine yellow, make it easy to spot the Hedge Lion and Ida in her suspender rain pants. Ida confronts and befriends the hidden lion, determined to help him get his roar back. When it comes, it is full of sadness and anger. It’s also a little bit scary. With Ida’s patience and perspective, the Hedge Lion allows that he is still lovable and perhaps no longer needs to hide, although Ida and the birds and bugs are the only ones who see him in this offbeat exploration of emotional regulation and acceptance. (Ages 4-7)

Discover your inner-roar with Ida, and your inner kindness with Hedge Lion!

Ida sees Hedge Lion every day on her walk around town. Hedge Lion wants everyone to think he’s a hedge. Nobody’s scared of hedges. But Ida is brave, she notices things that other people don’t, and she’s not fooled. She knows Hedge Lion is a lion, she just needs to help him find his roar. Along the way, Ida learns to be patient and kind, and Hedge Lion learns to be brave and confident.