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This nimble and engaging story about a real-life heroine would make a worthwhile addition to a home or school library.
In the Ashanti Kingdom, a powerful and wealthy kingdom in West Africa with the strongest and bravest of warriors, Queen Yaa Asantewaa is worried for her people. After many years of war, the British have taken over the Kingdom and captured King Asantehene. Next in their sights? The revered Golden Stool given to them by their Supreme God. Abandoned in fear by her fierce warriors, the Queen must find the courage to defend the Ashanti homeland and inspire a new generation of warriors who will stand up for what is right. Will she find the strength?
This timeless tale of courage and leadership is a wonderful resource for families and educators of young children to instill the importance of leadership, advocacy, and protection while teaching an important period of history.
Anchored in the historical record, this engaging and informative story introduces young readers to the intrepid Ashanti Warrior Queen who fought against the British in the early 1900s.
Yaa Asantewaa was a prominent queen of the Ashanti Kingdom of the Gold Coast in West Africa (present-day Ghana). Home to brave warriors and lot of gold, the kingdom was also the site of many battles between the British and the Ashanti. As the story details, the queen led the Ashanti war also known as the War of the Golden Stool, or the Yaa Asantewaa War of Independence, against the British Empire in 1900.
When Asantehene is captured, the British want a valuable artifact. Steadfast, the queen refuses to give it up. Unsure how to proceed, Yaa Asantewaa receives instructions about how to lead and defend her people in a dream. The queen travels to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom, and meets with the chiefs. She is determined to stand up for her people and protect the “Golden Stool.” When Yaa Asantewaa asks the Ashanti men to fight with her, they quail. She asks the women to fight with her. They respond in the affirmative. Thus, the British governor never finds the Golden Stool.
Packed with action and intrigue, this is a highly readable story. It’s briskly paced and will not strain young attention spans. Sentences are short and easy to digest. Vibrant colors and age-appropriate vocabulary enhance the text.
Ralph Yendaw’s eye-catching and colorful illustrations will also grab the attention of young readers and keep them turning pages as they learn about this fascinating and courageous woman. Loved the cover art!
At less than forty pages, this clever and highly readable book will appeal to young readers. Additional clarity regarding Asantehene’s identity and why his capture was significant would be helpful. It’s not entirely clear in the narrative. This may leave some readers guessing. A glossary with key terms is included.
Yaa Asantewaa The Warrior Queen would make a worthwhile addition to a home or school library.
My Rating: 3.5
Lifelong bibliophile. Library Board Member. Select book reviews featured on my blog and Goodreads, etc. I'm a frank but fair reviewer, averaging 400+ books/year in a wide variety of genres on multiple platforms. Over 1,550 published reviews. Still going strong!
In the Ashanti Kingdom, a powerful and wealthy kingdom in West Africa with the strongest and bravest of warriors, Queen Yaa Asantewaa is worried for her people. After many years of war, the British have taken over the Kingdom and captured King Asantehene. Next in their sights? The revered Golden Stool given to them by their Supreme God. Abandoned in fear by her fierce warriors, the Queen must find the courage to defend the Ashanti homeland and inspire a new generation of warriors who will stand up for what is right. Will she find the strength?
This timeless tale of courage and leadership is a wonderful resource for families and educators of young children to instill the importance of leadership, advocacy, and protection while teaching an important period of history.
Margaret Asante is a first-generation Ghanaian-American whose parents were immigrants from Ghana. Asante studied sociology and law at Spelman College, University of London, and Northeastern University. She is a wife, mother of two young girls, a lawyer. view profile
Published on May 25, 2024
0-1000 words
Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆
Genre: Picture Books
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