Talala: the Curious Leopard Cub Who Joined a Lion Pride - Vita Murrow - ★★★★

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AUTHOR: Vita Murrow
ILLUSTRATOR: Alexandra Finkeldey
GENRE: Children's Picture Book
PUBLICATION DATE: September 7, 2021
RATING: 4 stars

A cute little story about how a baby leopard in Gir found a new family with a pride of lions. The book narrates her quest through various animal families before she finally settles on the lions as they seem to match her idea of what constitutes food and shelter and fun.

Of course, the quest part of the story is entirely fictional. But the essence – a leopard cub finding a new home with a lioness and her cubs – is true. I liked how the authors have taken a lovely true story and turned it into a tale of acceptance and adjustment. I liked the photos at the end showing the actual leopard-lion family. At the same time, I feel that the true hero of the story is not Talala the leopard cub but the lioness who willingly gave a place to the orphaned leopard in spite of having her own cubs to tend to. There is a small fact section at the end of the book that talks of lions and leopards and how they don’t usually intermingle.

The language of the book is very simple and can be a great book for independent reading by early readers.

The illustrations are beautiful and bring alive the Gir National Park beautifully. They complement the story wonderfully.

Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group, for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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