The New York Public Library’s flagship on Fifth Avenue is watched over by two majestic lions: Patience and Fortitude, once referred to as “New York’s most lovable sculpture” by architecture critic Paul Goldberger.

Sculpted by Edward Clark Potter and originally dedicated in 1911 at the opening of the library, the lions have been referred to by different names over the years. They were first known as Leo Astor and Leo Lenox, after the NYPL founders, and then as Lady Astor and Lord Lenox (despite both being male) until the 1930s, when Mayor Fiorello La Guardia gave them their current names for the qualities he felt New Yorkers would need to weather the Great Depression.

Over the decades, the lions have donned Christmas wreaths, Mets and Yankees hats and graduation caps. Now they’ll be able to boast a children’s book to their roster of accomplishments: “Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude” by Josh Funk (published by the New York Public Library.)

Beautifully illustrated by Stevie Lewis, the book tells the tale of one New York dawn, when Fortitude wakes from his stone pedestal to find that Patience is missing. He heads into the Library (where else?) to see if he can track down his friend, and in looking for him takes a tour of some of the building’s delights.