Added to the library in honor of the birth of Aleila Lou Smith. School Library Journal: K-Gr 3: An embossed front cover, line drawings, and eye-popping black and gold and digital illustrations combine to produce a stunning visual representation of the brief text of this friendship story. Willoughby, dejected because of an unwanted move, sees a gold lion sitting on a rock in his backyard. The lion can grant him 10 wishes but warns: "unless you wish for the most wonderful thing of all, I'll be stuck on this rock forever." The boy wishes for a bigger house, a roller-coaster ride, the fastest shoes in the world, and many more delights. Each time, the lion complies on a grand scale. The house becomes a magnificent golden palace; the ride is provided by a giant black-and-gold roller coaster; the shoes are huge golden sneakers. Crowds stretching over a spread come to observe Willoughby and his amazing lion. But still, the youngster hasn't made the wish that will free the animal. He sits in black gloom as he dreams of running free, his longing represented by a golden spread of cavorting lions, their movement captured in flowing white outlines. Finally, an enlightened Willoughby whispers his most important wish to the lion and awakens the next morning to find his cozy house once again, the lion gone, and in his place, a gold coin with the words, "true friend." This wonderful offering is the first of several forthcoming stories about these two friends.-Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT