Happy Lion

Roger Duvoisin was born in Geneva in 1900. He studied at the Ecole National Superieure des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. His first job was designing scenery, making textiles, and painting murals. He married Louise Fatio, another artist from Switzerland. In 1927 they moved to New York City. Duvoisin wrote and illustrated forty books, and illustrated over 100 more by other authors. In 1947 he won the Caldecott Medal for White Snow, Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt and in 1966 their Hide and Seek Fog won a Caldecott Honor. The Happy Lion was the first book created together by Duvoisin and his wife Louise and it won the inaugural German Children's Book Prize in 1956.

'This classic from 1954 has been reprinted, and not before time... Duvoisin's illustrations are exceptional, and his big-picture format would make a roaringly good present for a summer birthday.' The Times;'The timeless narrative, gentle humour, tender friendship between the lion and Francois, and the delightfully characterful illustrations are a reminder why this book is still a firm family favourite and make it the ideal gift for a new generation of readers.' Lancashire Evening Post;'A beautifully illustrated, beautifully presented work. Full marks.' Norther Scotland Papers;'Louise Fatio's timeless tale about friendship still sparkles and Roger Duvoisin's elegant illustrations are as engaging as ever' School Library Journal;`Roger Duvoisin's whimsical illustrations, in lion-like colours of tawny yellow and orange, remain irresistible.' The Washington Post