The Lonely Lioness and the Ostrich Chicks

Written by Verna Aardema

A lioness steals ostrich chicks. Can Mother Ostrich reclaim them?

3.5 Goodreads · 120 ratings

32 pages· 742 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud· AD700L

$17.00Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

In an African savanna, a lonely lioness steals ostrich chicks, longing for a family. Mother Ostrich, desperate to reunite with her young, seeks help from the savanna's creatures. As gazelle, hyena, jackal, and mongoose join the chase, the question remains: who will outsmart the lioness and bring the chicks home? This tale of courage and cunning unfolds with vibrant illustrations, capturing the heart of a classic animal adventure.

From the publisher

Illustrated in full color. Beloved storyteller Verna Aardema is at her finest in this African animal tale, weaving charm and suspense with a delightfully satisfying resolution. Peering down from her treetop perch, a lonely lioness admires the noisily cheeping clan of Mother Ostrich and thinks, “I would be happy to have just one child.” So she leaps down, gurum! and steals all four ostrich chicks. Accepting the lioness as their mother, the chicks follow right behind he. Mother Ostrich is frantic! As she chases after the lioness, she enlists the help of gazelle, hyena, jackal, and mongoose. But which one can help her to get her chicks back? With art by Yumi Heo that blends primitive, African, and folk styles, The Lonely Lioness and the Ostrich Chicks is a captivating picture book destined to be a classic.