Book Review: Finnigan the Lionhearted

Finnigan the Lionhearted. Mary T. Wagner, Waterhorse Press, December 2020, Electronic and Print, 159 pages.

Reviewed by Casie Gambrel.

Mary T. Wagner’s Finnigan the Lionhearted is a charming tale perfect for children of all ages, even the young at heart.

This book is a marvelous trip down memory lane for anyone who remembers going to the circus as a child—and a most authentic introduction to the magic of the circus for those too young to have ever experienced it. The descriptions are so vivid you can almost hear the Ringmaster’s baritone voice announcing “Ladies and Gentlemen” with such power that it will have you leaning forward and rustling your popcorn box in excitement. Adorable pen illustrations add a visual sprinkle of joy for younger readers.

The storyline features a vast array of unique circus characters forming the most unexpected friendships and delivering meaningful life lessons along the way. The main characters are two curious mouse cousins, Max and Leroy, and their sweet pal Finnigan the Cat.

 Their adventure begins when the circus rolls into their hometown of Beechville, Wisconsin. They eagerly band together along with Boomer the dog to leave the comfort, safety, and secrecy of their home at the Farnsworth Circus Museum and embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

Their escapades bring them face to face with lions, tigers, and elephants. As the trio finds their way around the tent, they soon discover that things aren’t always what they seem: the most threatening-looking characters turn out to be the kindest, and those that seem to be the weakest rise to the occasion to face their fears and find their courage. As the suspense builds page after page, lessons in acceptance, trust, vulnerability, growth, and perseverance are delivered flawlessly, as if directed by the Ringmaster himself.

Finnigan the Lionhearted is the third book in this series of stories about Finnigan the Cat. It comes as no surprise that author Mary T. Wagner’s story is inspired by her family’s real-life rescue kitten, her home state of Wisconsin, and her younger daughter’s talent as a contemporary circus aerialist.

I highly recommend this book to any parent who’s looking for a delightful story and some good old-fashioned fun along with a few timeless lessons for themselves and their little ones