As a translucently veiled book about a morally corrupt leader, I found it funny. As a children’s book, I found the king to be too wicked. In my opinion this is a satirical story for enlightened voters and a guidebook for politicians.

Spare but pointed drawings draw the reader and listener in to this very apt modern fable in which a warthog lies his way to the top of the heap, only to ensnared by his own growing lies. This would be a wonderful place for talking points between caregiver and child.

The Lying King is a clever and delightful illustration of a current political times, suitable for the young or old. Dedicated to "Uncle Sam", this children's book clearly lays out how an immoral leader can grab power. through falsehoods and gas-lighting.

Warthog lies his way past all the other animals on the savanna to steal King Lion’s crown. He brags that he is faster than Cheetah, more beautiful than Peacock, and stronger than Rhinoceros. He even claims that he can fly! But can King Warthog’s outlandish claims keep him on the throne? A wonderfully illustrated, rhyming tale that will engage and amuse picture book crowds and grown-ups, alike.

I recommended to the publisher to change the cover so that it doesn't come across as a juvenile title. It's also not, as some suggest, satire, in my opinion, simply a quick fable that is timely. I liked the illustrations and font well enough, but was not overwhelmed by them (save the peacock, maybe??). A quick read, enjoyable, but nothing to write home about.

I initially thought this was a kid's book....but immediately upon starting to read it....saw that this is really a book for adults! The drawings & the text are really good & aimed at adults, but kids might understand the message here too....? This is a commentary on the current political issues in the USA. It's written in poetic form, maybe like a fable.....I really liked it & would recommend it to everyone!
I received this e-ARC from NetGalley, in exchange for my own honest review/opinion.

Satire at it's best in a wonderfully illustrated package. Some reviewers seem to be missing the part of the blurb that says, "this funny and pointed parable has lessons for everyone, from the playground to the boardroom and beyond!" They aren't getting it, satire isn't for everyone, sadly.

From the dedication to "Uncle Sam" to the warthog telling bigger and bigger lies, to creating distractions and divides, it speaks of a truth that many don't want to hear. That today's runt of a pig will eventually topple, let's just hope that it happens before our and other governments crumble.

Thanks go to NetGalley for the copy and Beard for the hope that one day our current warthog will choke!

In a society where news is sensationalized, politicians make duplicitous promises and many people believe everything posted on Facebook, children may find it difficult to discern what's true and what's not. What is worse, they may not understand the consequences of telling an untruth. This adorable book addresses all of those concerns in a whimsical fashion. Although the lyrics are light and the drawings fun, the story manages to tactfully explain an oh, so complicated issue on a level that children will clearly understand. #TheLyingKing #NetGalley

A contemporary fable with a runt of a warthog as a self-proclaimed kIng, and turing the tables on all that is true. Confused zebras wonder, are we black with white stripes, or white with black stripes? Was night really day? Are lions vegetarian? The white background and hand lettered rhyming text allows the warthog to play his part while the other animals react to the warthog's "truths". As in all fables, goodness and truth prevail over evil and falsehoods..

The Lying King
by Alex Beard
Greenleaf Book Group

“The Lying King” has an interesting perspective on the consequences of lying. Most morality tales tend to focus on the bad things that happen to people who break the rules or are dishonest. This book did a great job of showing that good things can happen even if you do bad things, but the bad deeds will catch up with you in the end.

Slightly too long but a fun book for a children story time. I loved the illustrations and the writing style!

I really enjoyed this book. I was surprised to see that it was 63 pages long, but then I realized that each page had very little text, which I like in a storytime book.. It is too long to read the entire thing at storytime, but would be easy to shorten. I expected the pig to realize the error of his ways, correct his behavior and be welcomed back by his subjects, maybe not as a king, but as just an average "citizen." He wasn't, which was an equally satisfying ending because it is more true to life. I also couldn't help but connect the story to the current situation our country is in in regards to our "leader."

I feel like this book is partly good lesson fable and then half forced propaganda lesson. I'm not a fan of shoving propaganda on children so I wasn't a fan.

An eerily acute and timely portrayal of what happens when you elect a lying pig into office and finally figure out that he can't be trusted.