  | Lion Queen : Rasila Vadher, the first woman guardian of the last Asiatic lions Author: Singh, Rina | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
"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. 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.
| Illustrator: | Anand, Tara |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (10/01/23)
School Library Journal (10/01/23)
Booklist (10/15/23)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 10/01/2023 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 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 10/15/2023 Following a field trip to the Gir National Park in Gujarat, India, a young girl dreams about caring for the preserve’s Asiatic lions, but as a girl from a poor family, she despairs of achieving her goal. Instead, she helps support her family and takes care of her siblings for her widowed mother. As an adult, she persuades the forest guards to hire her and works her way up from an office job to leading rescue missions. Based on the life of Rasila Vadher, Singh’s text conveys Vadher’s courage in the face of adversity as well as the magnificence of these creatures brought back from the brink of extinction. Both text and art include lion references: Rasila and her mother “roar” inside to express their displeasure, and Rasila’s long braid is depicted much like a lion’s tail. The richly hued, realistic illustrations’ use of blues and greens allows the tan lions to stand out on the various spreads. Back matter includes additional information about Vadher and the other women guards. An empowering and inspiring narrative. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
