The Lion Queen: Rasila Vadher, the First Woman Guardian of the Last Asiatic Lions

by Rina Singh (Author) Tara Anand (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Author Rina Singh and illustrator Tara Anand present a true tale of big cats and even bigger courage in this picture book inspired by the personal story of the Lion Queen, Rasila Vadher, who was Gir Forest’s first female guard.

“Never look a lion in the eyes,” a mother tells her fearless girl. After a field trip to the Gir Forest, the girl learns all about the rare Asiatic lions of India, and from that day on, she dreams of taking care of them when she grows up. But not everyone thinks a girl has a right to such a dream, and so she stifles what she wishes for most, a roar growing inside her. That is, until the day she comes face-to-face with a lion.

This empowering and exciting picture book is inspired by the story of Rasila Vadher, who grew up to become the first woman guardian and real-life Lion Queen at India’s Gir Forest, the very place where she first fell in love with lions.
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Hardcover
$19.99

Kirkus

A stirring story of persistence and courage.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2--Rasila Vadher wants to work at the Gir National Park in Gujarat, India, when she grows up, taking care of the endangered Asiatic lions who live there. But women aren't hired at the forest because "handling wild animals is a man's job." When Vadher passes all the required tests, she is given a desk job. She bides her time until an opportunity arises to prove herself in the forest by saving a lioness and her cubs. Soon, she's rescuing all types of animals and helping the people who are impacted by them, as well as training more women to join her in guarding the forest. Vadher's story is presented in first-person verse. The poetic imagery of the text is paired with lush illustrations rich with metaphor. The lions she loves serve as a visual and thematic metaphor for her character. When she is ignored and diminished, roars and rumbles grow within her. As she pushes against boundaries and speeds through the forest on her motorbike, her braided hair flies out behind her, mimicking the lions' tails streaming behind them as they prowl across the pages. A note after the story provides more information about Gir National Park and its Lion Queens, Vadher's life, and the Asiatic lions she protects. VERDICT This story of a woman bold enough to run with lions, and break barriers in the process, will appeal to animal lovers and social crusaders. Recommended for general purchase.--Elizabeth Lovsin

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

[H]er determination and commitment are deeply moving. A stirring story of persistence and courage. — Kirkus
Rina Singh
Rina Singh was born in a small town in India, moved to Canada, and now lives in Toronto. She is a former schoolteacher and is now a full-time children's book author. The Lion Queen is her first book with Cameron Kids.
Tara Anand is an illustrator and visual artist from Bombay, India. The Lion Queen is her first book with Cameron Kids. She lives in New York.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781951836849
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Cameron Kids
Publication date
October 03, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF007120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Women
JNF003130 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Lions, Tigers, Leopards, etc.
Library of Congress categories
Biographies
Picture books
Women
India
Lions
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiograp
Wildlife conservation
Conservation
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Animals / Endangered
Forest rangers
Park rangers
Women park rangers
Vadher, Rasila
Gir Forest National Park (India)

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