FICTION

Nani and the Lion

by Alicia D Williams (text) & illus. by Anna Cunha
Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy. Feb. 2026. 40p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781665914222. K-Gr 3
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K-Gr 3–From multiple award–winning author Williams comes a lively, folktale-style story about Nani, a brave girl whose love of drumming helps save her village from an angry lion. Told with rhythmic language and repetition, the narrative builds tension as Nani tries to keep her drumming quiet so as not to disturb the king lion who despises noise. The onomatopoeic drum sounds, presented in playful fonts, add visual energy to the text and invite an animated read-aloud. Cunha (A Story About Afiya) fills the pages with bright illustrations capturing the warmth and color of the African landscape to follow Nani’s story.
VERDICT Children will delight in the adventure and admire Nani’s bravery and cleverness in taming the lion in this bright, musical new folktale perfect for read-alouds.
Reviewed by Heidi Dechief , Nov 21, 2025

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