The Carved Lions by Mrs Molesworth When two life sized carved lions from the east are given as a gift to an English household, the children of the house are enchanted, especially when the lions come to life and help take care of them. This is a delightful book for young girls but retains some adult appeal. The author Mrs Molesworth (1839 - 1921) has been called "the Jane Austen of the nursery.