An ecosystem is a fragile commodity. Disturb any of its parts and the results can be catastrophic for all. This reality is brought to life with the true story of Lady, the last lioness in Liuwa Plain National Park located in a remote section of Zambia.

It’s the story of how political decisions, conflict, and war can cause upheaval to a thriving ecosystem. There is also hope as scientists and the citizens of Zambia make efforts to restore the balance of life. It’s a project making huge strides.

Filled with stunning photographs and smart narration, this should be required reading for any young person studying ecosystems. It’s presented in an understandable way woven into Lady’s story of survival. She is truly a beauty in the wild.

I enjoyed the  African proverbs at the beginning of each chapters along with  details of how difficult it is to restore an ecosystem. A snapshot of the predators and herbivores present in the park today and a glossary were most helpful.  The book concludes on a hopeful but cautious note of how important humans are in keeping a thriving ecosystem. Civil instability and poaching are still problems to watch out for.

Thank you National Geographic and Bradley Hague for bringing this stirring turn around story of a land brought back from disaster. I hope the story in the future has a happy ending.

The Book’s Synopsis From NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS:

Rise of the Lioness by Bradley Hague (ages 8-12) — “Engrossing and masterfully executed” – starred review, Booklist

In western Zambia, the vibrant world of the the Liuwa Plains provides a perfect habitat for zebras, wildebeest and the mighty lions.  But poaching and war have severely damaged this isolated wilderness, reducing its lion population to just one:  Lady, the last lioness. Author Bradley Hague documents Lady’s fight for survival in this evocative narrative on the decline, fall, and rebirth of the Liuwa Plains. Follow Lady as she
grapples with an environment altered by human hands and discover how both Lady and humankind have struggled to restore balance to a damaged environment.  Hague seamlessly weaves together the tales of rebirth and survival in the natural world, reinforcing the importance of our roles as nature’s guardians and reminding us once again that when we take care of animals, we take care of ourselves. Booklist goes on to say in their starred review that “National Geographic’s trademark flair for breathtaking wildlife photos is well matched by Hague’s authoritative and well developed narrative.”

*****************************

Enjoy your weekend. Have fun, relax, and READ!