Counting Lions by Katie Cotton and Stephen Walton, with Foreword by Virginia McKenna (Frances Lincoln Children's Books)

This eye-catching book can't fail to grab your attention with one of the most striking monochrome covers I've seen on a children's book in a long time...
Once inside, "Counting Lions" has a serious message to impart about the plight of many animal species we share our planet with.

Virginia McKenna, Actress and wildlife campaigner, has written the foreword to this wonderful book by Katie Cotton and Stephen Walton, highlighting the real challenges that organisations such as the Born Free Foundation are facing as they struggle to ensure that animal species, familiar and unfamiliar, do not become extinct.

Partly a counting book that will draw in the very young, partly a beautifully written collection of prose about each species, "Counting Lions" is a truly amazing piece of work.

At the end of the book, the hardest message is saved until last as each species is described in more detail, with a stark note on their current status (mostly endangered, alas).

With 5% of royalties going to the Born Free foundation, this is definitely a book I'd urge anyone to consider buying for their little ones (and with Christmas coming up fast, it would make a really wonderful present for a little animal lover).

Charlotte's favourite bit: Learning more about the fabulous Ethopian Wolf.

Daddy's favourite bit: Atmospheric prose perfectly underpins the wonderful monochrome charcoal illustrations in this fabulous book, which shares a serious and important message about animal conservation in a child-friendly way. Stunning, stunning stuff.

(Kindly sent to us for review by Frances Lincoln Children's Books)

"Counting Lions" 

Written by Katie Cotton

Illustrated by Stephen Walton

Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books

Release Date: 1st October 2015