The Lion Inside: questions to ask and activities to try
A little mouse who feels overlooked asks the lion to teach him to roar, and finds out the lion is frightened too. The Lion Inside is about being nervous and doing it anyway.
What age is it for? The Lion Inside is best for ages 4–7. Good for: A child who feels too small or too quiet to be noticed.
The Lion Inside (Rachel Bright)
- Age
- 4-7
- Best for
- A child who feels too small or too quiet to be noticed
The surprise is that the confident-looking lion is scared too. Use it to talk about how everyone feels nervous sometimes, and about the brave thing Mouse does: he goes and asks.
What it helps with
- Shyness and feeling overlooked
- Being nervous and doing it anyway
- Seeing that confident people feel scared too
- Finding your own voice
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 helped Mouse feel brave enough to try?”
- “Why did Mouse want to learn to roar?”
- “What surprised you about the lion?”
- “Do you think everyone feels scared sometimes?”
- “When have you been brave even though you were nervous?”
- “What does your “lion inside” sound like?”
5-minute activities to try together
Brave things list
Each write or draw three times you felt nervous and did the thing anyway.
Big voice, small voice
Take turns saying the same sentence in a tiny mouse voice and a big lion voice. Talk about which one feels like you today.
Free printables: The Lion Inside 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
Giraffes Can’t Dance (Giles Andreae)
- Best for
- A child who measures themselves against what other children can do
- Age
- 4-7
Perfectly Norman (Tom Percival)
- Best for
- A child who hides something about themselves to fit in
- Age
- 4-7
The Snail and the Whale (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Children who feel small, or too little to make a difference
- Age
- 3-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 1 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.