Renato and the lion

The story brings together the upheaval of leaving a familiar home and the comfort Renato finds in a beloved statue. It may offer a way to talk about what children value when circumstances change.

War and a family’s forced move are central to the setup. Renato’s worry about leaving the lion may also bring up feelings about separation from familiar places or treasured objects.

If you had to leave a place you loved, what would you most want to take with you, and what might help you feel safe somewhere new?

Before reading, mention that war leads Renato’s family to leave home, then let the child set the pace for talking about that change. Afterwards, revisit what the lion means to Renato.