Call Me Lion: questions to ask and activities to try
Leo loves dancing, but selective mutism makes speaking very hard. Call Me Lion is a sensitive story about friendship and finding your voice.
What age is it for? Call Me Lion is best for ages 8–11. Good for: Selective mutism, dancing and finding your voice.
Call Me Lion (Camilla Chester)
- Age
- 8-11
- Best for
- Selective mutism, dancing and finding your voice
Read it with older children. Talk about how Leo communicates, and how to be patient with friends who find talking hard.
What it helps with
- Selective mutism
- Anxiety and communication
- Friendship
- Following a passion
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What does Leo love?”
- “What makes speaking hard for him?”
- “Who is Richa?”
- “How do they communicate?”
- “What happens at the dance show?”
- “How can we help a quiet friend?”
5-minute activities to try together
Without words
Have a conversation using only gestures and drawings.
Dance it
Express a feeling through dance instead of words.
Free printables: Call Me Lion worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Cinnamon (Neil Gaiman and Divya Srinivasan)
- Best for
- Finding your voice, in a fairy tale from a hot country
- Age
- 4-8
Quiet! (Kate Alizadeh)
- Best for
- Listening to the sounds of home
- Age
- 1-5
I Talk Like a River (Jordan Scott)
- Best for
- Stuttering and communication differences
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.