The Lying King

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."

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.

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..

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

I liked the story but I kept thinking about Donald Trump as I read it. Great message for kids and adults alike.

I liked the illustrations in this book, but I think the message was too transparent . It's clear who the "warthog king" is in "real life". The ending, although a nice thought, is probably not realistic.

Note to other reviewers who may had this problem: I had some trouble getting the pdf to launch, because of a new computer and need to re-install Adobe reader with a fresh ID (i.e used another email not associated with previous pc).

Politics and children's books, not two things that I would expect to go together. Yet Alex Beard, in The Lying King, weaves a story of a warthog that rises to power through a series lies and the (supposed) inevitable outcome of such actions.

While this tales is definitely a nod to Aesop and/or Kipling in its style, I found it a bit disturbing. While I can't lay my finger on what exactly unnerves me about the story, I can say that the plot seems to be written more for adults than children. While the illustrations are engaging and the rhyming prose keeps us turning the pages, the story just feels off to me.

I will say that Beard's tale is a cautionary tale of choosing to look the other way when faced with overt lies. Children may be able to glean the notion that lying is bad from this fable, but in the end, it isn't one I would put on our bookshelf.

This fabulous fable should be read by everyone. It is a tale for children that all adults need to read as a reminder that truth is truth and up is up no matter how much a king likes to lie and say differently.

The Lying King is a perfect teaching book. Beard teaches the importance of honesty and integrity all while rhyming. The Lying King begins by fibbing to get his way and to convince his subjects to agree with him. But, as the story continues, his loyal subjects start to waver and decide they don’t want a liar as a king. Unfortunately, the king has to suffer the consequences and lose his crown.

I will use this book as one of our daily read alouds in my classroom. This is a perfect book to emphasize the importance of having good character and integrity. The illustrations are simple yet fun, and the rhyming adds a nice cadence to the story. Definitely a recommended read for me!

An absolutely delightful morality fable for our troubled times. Though I was given access to an e-galley of this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, I have already pre-ordered a hard copy for my bookshelf of children’s books. After all, we must teach the young about the mistakes of the past so they will not be repeated. The satire and clever wit and rhythm of the writing is a treat for adults who need something to make them smile these days. The illustrations are delightful, with plenty of additional commentary on the tale, that has been so cleverly dedicated to Uncle Sam.

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.

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

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.

The Lying King is the story of a warthog who thinks a little too highly of himself and begins to think that he is a more important than he actually is. Although it is a picture book, the vocabulary and language make this book enjoyable for "kids" of all ages. The illustrations lend themselves perfectly to the story line and the labels that accompany them are perfect! This book would be a great discussion starter!

I really enjoyed this modern-day fable about fake news and the power of the truth. Warthog becomes King by lying his way to the throne. The other animals know he can't be counted on to tell the truth - but too few speak out, so Warthog reigns supreme. Will he stay in power? Will the animals figure out how to depose their untruthful King?

I'm not sure anyone could read this book without seeing obvious parallels to current American politics. It's clever and hopeful - and teaches young readers the importance of telling the truth and standing up for what is right.

An allegorical saga in the vein of Aesop’s Fables, this tale from the watering hole chronicles the dire consequences of lying. Warthog desperately wants to be important, but he chooses to make himself seem prominent by telling lies.
Finally, he becomes the king.
Eventually, as his lies grow, he turns the other animals of the African savannah against each other until one day the lies are so big the animals realize that something must be done about their lying king.

With whimsical illustrations and a witty, satirical rhyming verse, readers will immediately recognize that lies are dangerous and there is untold value in the truth. Although marketed as a children’s book, adults will find the thinly-disguised commentary on the current political climate impossible to miss, especially with the “Uncle Sam” dedication page. Whether “The Lying King” serves as a morality lesson for children or as a timely reminder for adults, its lesson is one of the value of truth and the danger of lies . . . and there is truth within these pages.

Highly recommended.

Initially, my kids thought the talking animals was just hilarious. Yes, they get it’s fiction, but talking animals amuse my children. Let alone, a talking warthog that wants to be king, I deem hilarious as well. Of course, me being a visual person, I LOVED the illustrations. The water-colored pictures were beautiful and definitely attracted me to the book immediately. My daughter and twin boys, (8 and 6), were drawn to the book due to the bright colors and vivid imagination of Alex Beard of having animals come to life in order to teach a lesson.

Teaching the lesson of not lying is definitely a steady feet in the world of parenting and what a creative way to teach it. I’m a visual person, so this book definitely made the lesson fun and I loved the art work. My kids were able to easily understand and enjoy the concept of the book and it flowed very nicely. My children were definitely amused by the talking animals and the “crazy” warthog as my son had mentioned. I found the story to be witty and smart, and will recommend the book to other parents.



Kirkus Review: “When other animals fail to take a stand, a lying warthog becomes their king with devastating results. This witty, contemporary fable brilliantly champions truth in an era of fake news, alternative facts, and rampant lies. (Picture book. 4-8)”

This book read like an Aesop's fable. It was a tale about lying and how destructive it can be to a kingdom. A quick read that leaves you with something to consider--you can't believe everything that you hear or read. The book has very interesting illustrations.

"A runt who wanted to be a huge pig..."

The Lying King, wordplay noted, is a wonderfully illustrated, hilariously told modern day fable about a warthog who wanted to be king. He made promises he couldn't keep, told lies that grew more preposterous with each telling and bullying all who got in is way. He lied to get money, questioned whether the truth was actually the truth and pitted those in the kingdom against one another to gain favor for himself.

Hmmm... why does this sound so incredibly familiar? No idea. Soon, the king's lies catch up to him and bring about his folly. <sigh>

Written for children and obviously for adults who never learned the very important lesson that LYING is not acceptable and, ultimately, you will get caught; this book is utterly delightful for "kids" of all ages. Beard is an artist as well as a writer and his illustrations are a beautiful, captivating addition to the book. I read this out loud to guests staying with us and everyone loved it - especially the kids! It's a perfect "lesson" book that can teach all of us the importance of the truth in this era of "fake news" and alternative facts. FIVE brilliant shiny stars for The Lying King - no lie!

I'm super happy to have received this book from #Netgalley and to #AlexBeard for his collection of children's books. Although this was a download originally, I'm now the proud owner of his entire collection. They are too good not to own!

Though “The Lying King” is described as a children’s book, I have to agree with other reviews I’ve read that I think it’s more effective as a social commentary for adults or teens. Children will probably enjoy the spare but elegant illustrations and the rhyme that tells the story of a lying warthog who turns truth on its head, bullies his way to power and then learns his lesson the hard way (karmic payback from black biting flies and mosquitoes is hell), but I’m not sure young children will be able to grasp the lesson being delivered to the lying king. I would have liked to see the king show signs of learning his lesson and not just enduring his payback and also see his former subjects righting his wrongs. My vote is for the Mouse to take over. B

I loved this children's book. What an excellent way of teaching what can happen if one lies. The illustrations are so darn cute! I'm getting this for my grandkids.
Too cuuute!!

A satire books about a warthog who becomes king by lying through. Good lesson for kids to understand that lying has many consequences and it will never let you succeed. illustrations are funny.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

What would you do to get attention, feel important or appear bigger than you are? A warthog that is small starts to tell tall tales for attention. The next thing he does is tell lies. At first the others ignore him, but the warthog starts telling them lies about each other that gets them very upset. However the warthog becomes king and it doesn’t stop his lying. What will happen to warthog? What will his subjects do?

The story is iluustrated with ink and watercolors that goes perfectly with the story. This inventive humorous tale shows how truth is necessary and important in this time of fake news, different (alternate) facts and unrestrained lies.

What a fantastic fable for today!

Great art, wonderful story, and an excellent moral.

I really liked this…and will probably purchase it for my shelf.

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for a copy in return for an honest review.</i>

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute story about a warthog who lies. The rhyming text and bright pictures show many of the animals in his kingdom. It helps to illustrate to children why they should tell the truth.

Well, this is a timely book! While geared towards children, perhaps a few adults could learn from this...ahem. This is the story of a warthog who lied about literally everything, made his way to the top from nothing, and (of course) ultimately lost everything when his subjects finally come to their senses. A wonderful message for children - both about not lying, but also about how to respond to those that do before it gets out of hand. The illustrations are nice (added fun for children to identify all the animal characters!)

The Lying King by Alex Beard is the tale of a warthog whose wish to be more results in the creation of an avalanche of lies that gets him exactly what he wants ... until he gets swept away in it.

A runt warthog's lies start out small to make himself feel better, but as that succeeds, he realizes he wants more. His lies become bullying and morph into such ridiculous and impossible things that the other animals begin to question what is real. What begins as bowing down due to confusion and intimidation becomes a rally cry to overthrow the king of lies.

While the rhythmic text and simple, whimsical watercolor illustrations are aimed at the intended audience of 4-8 year olds, the length of the book and the meaning behind the Aesop-inspired fable, belie that ... as does the dedication of "For Uncle Sam." While there is some value to this as a children's book, and it will certainly be a great jumping off point for discussion, it will definitely appeal to adults who can see the hidden meaning behind this 2018 book of an unlikely politician's rise to the top.

Thank you to the Greenleaf Book Group and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book to give my honest review of.