The Happy Lion is a 1954 children's picture book by Louise Fatio

Louise Fatio

Louise Fatio Duvoisin was the author of the Happy Lion series of children's picture books, which were illustrated by her husband, Roger Duvoisin.- Background :...

 and illustrated by Roger Duvoisin

Roger Duvoisin

Roger Duvoisin was a Swiss-American author and illustrator. Born in Geneva, Switzerland, his first job was making textiles. He moved to New York City in 1927 where he wrote his first book.-Books and awards:...

. In the book, the Happy Lion lives in a small zoo in France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

. When he escapes, he is surprised that people are now scared of him.

The book was so popular that it spawned several sequels and an 8-minute short film by Weston Woods Studios

Weston Woods Studios

Weston Woods Studios is a production company that makes audio and short films based on well-known books for children. It was founded in 1953 by Morton Schindel in Weston, Connecticut, and named after the wooded area near his home. The company's first project was Andy and the Lion in 1954, and its...

. It won the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis

Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis

The Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis is an annual award established in 1956 by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth to recognise outstanding works of children's literature. It is Germany's only state-funded literary award. In the past, authors from many countries...

in 1956.

Books in the series

• The Happy Lion
• The Happy Lion and the Bear
• The Happy Lion Roars
• The Happy Lion's Treasure
• The Happy Lion's Holiday
• Three Happy Lions
• The Happy Lioness
• The Happy Lion's Rabbits