Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

When young Caro moves to a new home with her mum, she derives comfort and strength from a mysterious, large, white lion. The cover art and endpapers immediately draw readers into a world where a lion as enormous and gentle as the famous red dog Clifford will play a starring role. The story begins, however, with a dark, nighttime double-page spread showing a car heading up a hill toward Caro's new house. Next, Caro explores her new home's interior, as art verifies text: "The walls were white, the ceilings were white, and even the doors were white." When Caro wishes for a playmate, the Snow Lion appears, and for a full week the two play and play. More than once, the wise Snow Lion encourages Caro to play with other children, and she finally connects, at the playground, with a welcoming boy named Bobby. Eventually, Caro's mother engages Bobby and other young friends in a house-painting party. Will the colors eliminate the Snow Lion? The mixed-media artwork is a splendid complement, using just enough detail and geometric patterns against large planes of muted colors, both indoors and out. The human figures have solid, toddlerlike appearances, while the Snow Lion is appropriately well-camouflaged against the house's white walls. Caro has pale skin and curly, auburn hair; Bobby is a boy of color with brown skin and black hair.A well-crafted tale about healthy adaptation to new environs merges with superb artwork. (Picture book. 3-7)

ALA Booklist (Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Caro and her mother move to a new home with an all-white interior. As a lonely Caro explores the house, she is surprised to find a large white lion camouflaged in a blank wall. The illustrations depict Caro as happy and protected with her new friend, the Snow Lion. Gradually the lion encourages Caro to try some new things rhaps the slide at the park? Visiting the child next door? Changes in Caro's world are demonstrated visibly. As the walls are painted with new colors, the lion moves out to the snow-covered garden. When summer comes, the lion appears in the clouds. Framed photographs show a small, red-haired Caro holding a man's hand, as well as another house, but his absence and the reason for the move are not explained. Young children will take the story at face value, understanding the anxiety Caro faces. Older readers may contemplate the idea of imaginary friends and why Caro needs the lion. Beautifully designed and executed, this book provides a gentle exploration of a challenging situation many children face.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

After Caro and her mom move to a new home, the lonely girl finds an indoor playmate in the Snow Lion. When they spot some kids out the window, the lion encourages Caro to make human friends. In this subtle book's deftest touch, the white lion is barely visible against Caro's home's white walls--a gentle intimation of his being imaginary.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

When young Caro moves to a new home with her mum, she derives comfort and strength from a mysterious, large, white lion. The cover art and endpapers immediately draw readers into a world where a lion as enormous and gentle as the famous red dog Clifford will play a starring role. The story begins, however, with a dark, nighttime double-page spread showing a car heading up a hill toward Caro's new house. Next, Caro explores her new home's interior, as art verifies text: "The walls were white, the ceilings were white, and even the doors were white." When Caro wishes for a playmate, the Snow Lion appears, and for a full week the two play and play. More than once, the wise Snow Lion encourages Caro to play with other children, and she finally connects, at the playground, with a welcoming boy named Bobby. Eventually, Caro's mother engages Bobby and other young friends in a house-painting party. Will the colors eliminate the Snow Lion? The mixed-media artwork is a splendid complement, using just enough detail and geometric patterns against large planes of muted colors, both indoors and out. The human figures have solid, toddlerlike appearances, while the Snow Lion is appropriately well-camouflaged against the house's white walls. Caro has pale skin and curly, auburn hair; Bobby is a boy of color with brown skin and black hair.A well-crafted tale about healthy adaptation to new environs merges with superb artwork. (Picture book. 3-7)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Shy Caro and her mother have moved into a new house: -The walls were white, the ceilings were white, and even the doors were white.- Her loneliness is interrupted by the sudden appearance of a huge, kind lion who seems to materialize out of the monochromatic décor. The Snow Lion is not only a wonderful playmate (winking from the walls he can easily disappear against), he-s also wise, gently nudging Caro to play with a neighborhood boy named Bobby, who in turn introduces Caro to his friends (-I won-t know anyone,- she worries. -You-ll have a great time,- the lion replies, -and you do know Bobby-). Caro begins to fit in but now wonders whether she-s being disloyal to her first friend. Unfussy prose by Helmore (Letterbox Lil) makes for lovely, measured storytelling, and it-s a fine match for Jones-s generously scaled art. The illustrator places his doll-like characters in swathes of textured color punctuated with shades of orange (Caro has deep auburn hair). Visually and emotionally, there-s expansiveness, poignancy, and hope in these pages, the Snow Lion-s benevolent presence presiding over it all. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

PreS-Gr 2 Caro and her mom move to a new house in which all of the walls are white. The child explores the house, but is lonely; she really wants a new friend to play with. Just as Caro starts wishing she had a friend, she hears a deep but kind voice asking if she wants to play. Caro looked around and notices a white snow lion. Her new friend is amazinghe can disappear and merge with the white walls, which makes him great at playing hide-and-seek. While playing with her snow lion, Caro looks out the window and sees two boys. One of the boys waves, but she is too shy to go out and meet him. After a week, Caro's lion friend suggests that she go to the park. When the child resists, the Snow Lion assures her that he will still be there when she returns. So Caro goes outside and makes some new friends and her mom invites them to come to their house for a painting party. The kids paint the house many different colors, so that no white is left. That evening, Caro can not find her Snow Lion until it begins to snow outside. She runs outside and embraces her Snow Lion, sharing her fear that she won't ever see him again. The lion assures her that lions are happier outside and that Caro would be able to find him whenever she needs him. The beautiful illustrations add even more sentiment to a wonderful and touching story. VERDICT A great comfort to children facing big changes in life, this story is an excellent addition to any library. Nicole Detter-Smith, Homestead High School, IN