Review: Mila and the Missing Lions

Mila is a lion tamer. She's relatively new to the game, but that doesn't tarnish her enthusiasm. Her dog, Ralph, has been her practice lion. but the thing is, Ralph isn't a lion. And he doesn't want to be one, either.

Mila's parents are lion tamers and have their very own lions, but Mila isn't yet allowed to practice with the real lions. Until today. Today, it is time.

She grabs the keys and opens the cage...
Of course, the lions escape and Mila is beside herself. She dashes all over the circus, asking the acrobats and the strongman and the clowns and the elephant if they've seen any escaped lions.

Along the way, the reader is treated to a lion tail peek, here and there, as Mila searches the grounds for those pesky big cats. Can she find them and return them to their cage before it's too late? And will her dreams of being a lion tamer be quashed along the way?

This is a sweet story with a plucky main character. A divine and dusky colour palette is beautifully showcased on uncoated paper, with both full scene and vignette illustrations in a modern-vintage style that's utterly charming. Pages are beautifully typeset, and the endpaper pattern will delight aficionados.

This is Celeste's first book as both author and illustrator.

Title: Mila and the Missing Lions
Author/Illustrator: Celeste Hulme
Publisher: The Five Mile Press, $19.95
Publication Date: 1 September 2016
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760066826
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book