Sundiata: Lion King of Mali [Hardcover]

David Wisniewski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 1992 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

In the thirteenth century, Sundiata overcame physical handicaps, social disgrace, and strong opposition to rule the West African trading empire of Mali.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the oral tradition of the griots (minister-like functionaries "with the wisdom of history"), Wisniewski brings to life a story of courage from the African country of Mali. Sundiata, born to the King and his second wife, "proved unable to speak or walk," and despite glowing predictions for his future he is hounded from his country. After years of exile, he is invited back to oust a tyrant and return his land to prosperity and peace. This retelling, though imbued with dignity and intelligence, proves somewhat confusing. Children may not be able to follow the convoluted series of events, while the multiplicity of characters--most with strange, hard-to-pronounce names--could well befuddle even the most assiduous reader. Wisniewski's stunning cut-paper illustrations, however, introduce to the text a striking vitality and beauty. Historically accurate images are sharp without starkness, expressive of raw power and delicate fragility by turns, and full of strong dynamism and motion. Bright rainbow colors capture the fabrics of Africa, and the text's patterned borders are suggestive of kilim rugs. An unremarkable narrative redeemed by inspired artwork. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-- An appealing biography of Sundiata, credited as the founder of the Mali empire. A lengthy author's note informs readers as to how little firsthand information on the topic is available, and that what is known has been handed down orally by griots , or African storytellers. Therefore, the narrative has the distinctive, if somewhat mystical, flow of an oral history. Sundiata neither walks nor speaks for the first seven years of his life, but is still named heir over his older brother. Regardless of the pronouncement, following the king's death, Sundiata and his mother are forced into exile. How the Lion King of Mali defeats his enemies and becomes the rightful ruler makes for an exciting tale. Wisniewski's characteristic artwork (vivid colored paper designs that have been intricately cut, arranged, mounted, and then photographed) add to the drama of the tale and are consistent with the folkloric tone. The characters have personality and vitality, and the setting has a texture and richness that heightens climactic moments of the story. Neither straightforward biography nor folktale, this is an interesting combination of the two. While some younger listeners may have difficulty following the somewhat choppy nature of the narrative as years fly by between the major events, older children will appreciate both the flavor and intrigue. All in all, another fine effort from a talented author/illustrator. --Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (October 19, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395613027
• ISBN-13: 978-0395613023
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,311,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Africa
  • #55 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > African

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheers for the Real Lion King, June 13, 2000

By 

Christopher Fung (honolulu) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sundiata: Lion King of Mali (Hardcover)

Anyone who wants to introduce a child (or even someone who is not so young) to the REAL glories of ancient Africa could do a lot worse than start with this book.

Beautifully illustrated, and simply written it retells the life of the great culture hero Sunjata (variously spelled Sundiata, Son-Jara or other ways depending on the language and inclination of the translator).

According to the story, Sunjata defeated the sorcerer-king Suma'oro Kante and liberated the Manding people (of modern day Guinea, Mali, plus parts of Senegal, Gambia, Cote D'Ivoire and Burkina Faso) wielding them together into a great empire in the mid 13th century. To modern Manding poeple, Sunjata is roughly equivalent in stature to Abraham Lincoln, Moses or the first Qin Emperor.

This version is very close to the original tale as told by the griots of west Africa (check out D.T. Niane's "Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali" for a traditional telling of the story or, for the really adventurous, D.W. Johnson and Fa-Digi Cissoko's scholarly rendition "Son-Jara: An African Epic"). A sung version of part of the Sunjata fassa (epic praise poem) can be found on the CD "An Be Kelen (We are One): Griot Music from Mali" also available on Amazon.

Sunjata's story includes sorcery, prodigious battles, and the triumph of nobility over gossip and envy. For modern readers, an especially powerful feature is the famous story of Sunjata overcoming childhood disability (he is crippled and -in some versions, unable to talk) to become the leader of the Malian people.

One final critical point: While Wisniewski's version is fairly faithful to the original, it should be pointed out that key secondary figures (such as Sunjata's mother Sogolon Keju, his sister Nana Triban, Fran Camara (the king of the Blacksmith clan), and above all, Sunjata's griot Bala Fasseke Kouyate) are given little mention. Thus it replicates a western emphasis on key individuals rather than stressing the importance of each of the various segments of Manding society (men, women, siblings, parents, warriors, traders, sorcerers, griots, blacksmiths, farmers)which was an essential point in the original story.

This is a beautiful, skillfully-rendered book on an exciting topic. Sunjata belongs with the Viking Sagas and the Knights of the Round Table as a key example of world literature. Do yourself a favor and buy this book.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The wonders of sundiata, December 12, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Sundiata: Lion King of Mali (Paperback)

My history teacher read us this book and thought it was great. I hope to own it some day. also the pictures are beautiful.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ignore previous review, October 22, 2004

By 

Daniel Solomon "Dan S." (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sundiata: Lion King of Mali (Paperback)

For anyone concerned by the previous Nov. 2003 review - Wisniewski's book does not contain this episode. The reviewer must be thinking of another version (although I can't argue with the sentiment!)