#422 - The Butterfly Lion

by Michael Morpurgo and illustrated by Christian Birmingham

“The Butterfly Lion” by Michael Morpurgo and illustrated by Christian Birmingham. Published by Harper Collins. A touching tale of an inseparable bond between Bertie and a white lion spanning across continents and years.

The story is narrated by the author himself. He recounts this tale from his childhood days. When he tries to run away from his dreary life at a boarding school, he comes across a mansion where he meets an old lady and her dog. He gets to hear a story from the past of a boy called Bertie who was born in Africa. He rescued an orphaned white lion cub from a pack of hyenas. An unusual bond develops between the two of them making them inseparable. But fate has something else in store for them. For who can have a lion for a pet!

Bertie is sent to faraway England to join a boarding school for his education. The same boarding school which the author is trying to run away from! The lion is sold to a circus in France. They both must make these inevitable journeys across the sea. Bertie promises the lion cub that they will see each other again in future. All this in the beginning of the twentieth century. But can that happen? Will their friendship sustain the tests of time? When WWI happens, Bertie joins the British army. Will he ever meet his lion again? How was the old lady connected to Bertie? Read this heartwarming and moving story of a unique friendship, which is going to be tested to the brink, to know all of these.

My (then) almost nine year old and I loved reading this poignant tale. Some incidents can shape our lives and destinies. For Bertie, it was setting sight on the white lion  cub which ended up becoming his friend. The story is a testament to friendship, integrity, determination and love above all. I somehow felt a bit let down with respect to the illustrations. I am not sure if our copy wasn’t a good quality one or that is how it is supposed to be. Some pictures were too blurry for our liking. The cover pic was definitely the highlight for us and enough to melt our hearts. The Butterfly Lion is one that is sure to leave an impression on anyone who gets to know its story which is like no other. This was one of the books that I had gifted to my son on his eighth birthday to introduce this popular author. The book and the author came highly recommended in the reading raccoons group on Facebook. Thankfully we managed to read this just before my son’s ninth birthday :) Now, he is keen to read other books by the author as well.

Recommended Age

The book is apt for children aged 8 and above.

Reasons to Read

For a touching story of an unusual and beautiful friendship between a boy and a lion cub that portrays how promises are kept and how destinies can be changed sometimes by chance events.