What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lion Cub's Secret
Lauren St John's White Giraffe series has become internationally beloved. This is the perfect time to discover - or rediscover - this bestselling series.
After Martine rescues an orphaned lion cub from a market, she dreams of keeping him forever. But Tau, the cub, already has a home. He's been snatched from one of South Africa's most famous game reserves.
When Martine and her best friend Ben are invited to the reserve to help settle Tau in, they leap at the chance. But the beautiful wilderness is riddled with mysteries and secrets, and the lion cub's secret is the biggest of all.
As Martine and Ben start asking questions, they quickly discover that there are those who'll stop at nothing to get to Tau. Will the lonely lion cub ever be truly free?
'The charm of this series lies in its fabulous setting and a wide cast of characters' The Times on selecting The Lion Cub's Secret as Children's Book of the Week
After Martine rescues an orphaned lion cub from a market, she dreams of keeping him forever. But Tau, the cub, already has a home. He's been snatched from one of South Africa's most famous game reserves.
When Martine and her best friend Ben are invited to the reserve to help settle Tau in, they leap at the chance. But the beautiful wilderness is riddled with mysteries and secrets, and the lion cub's secret is the biggest of all.
As Martine and Ben start asking questions, they quickly discover that there are those who'll stop at nothing to get to Tau. Will the lonely lion cub ever be truly free?
'The charm of this series lies in its fabulous setting and a wide cast of characters' The Times on selecting The Lion Cub's Secret as Children's Book of the Week
159 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
6 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Lauren St. John
66 books408 followersLauren St John grew up on a farm and game reserve in Africa, the inspiration for her acclaimed memoir, Rainbow's End, and her award-winning White Giraffe series for children. Dead Man's Cove, the first in her Laura Marlin mystery series, won the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award in 2011. Her bestselling One Dollar Horse trilogy for teenagers was followed by The Glory, a breathtaking YA adventure and romance about a long distance horse race across the American West. Formerly a sports and music journalist, Lauren is the author of Seve and Hardcore Troubador: the Life & Near Death of Steve Earle, a superb, gripping biography of an Americana legend. The Obituary Writer, her first adult novel, was published in 2014 and she is currently at work on her second. Both The White Giraffe and The Glory have been optioned for film.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 27, 2025
This review is a personal one… and a bit of a ramble.
The White Giraffe (book one) was a yearly reread for me. A childhood favourite that holds such a special place in my heart as a book series that my Ouma gave me when we stayed there in South Africa.
This is a middle grade series that holds so much nostalgia and love, set in South Africa with a heroine who is initially from rainy England.
Both my parents are Afrikaans, all of my family live in South Africa; but my parents, brothers, and I now live in Wales.
My spirit animal is a giraffe, I have a tattoo of a mummy and baby giraffe, I have painted numerous canvases.
That is to say, I saw/see myself in the heroine, I recognised the places, slang, even road signs like:
CAUTION! DON’T FEED YOUR FINGERS TO THE ANIMALS!’
This particular instalment is about a lion cub that Martine rescues from a rich guy.
We don’t get as much Jemmy the white giraffe or, indeed, Sawubona Wildlife Reserve. We do get Ben, we get mentions of Grace, and we get such an important message about safekeeping our future for the younger generation.
Yes, reading this as an adult, I can roll my eyes at the plot conveniences and how easy everything is at the end, but I was still moved and touched.
Be right back, I’m going to ask my family if I can come stay with them again.
Arc gifted by publisher.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
The White Giraffe (book one) was a yearly reread for me. A childhood favourite that holds such a special place in my heart as a book series that my Ouma gave me when we stayed there in South Africa.
This is a middle grade series that holds so much nostalgia and love, set in South Africa with a heroine who is initially from rainy England.
Both my parents are Afrikaans, all of my family live in South Africa; but my parents, brothers, and I now live in Wales.
My spirit animal is a giraffe, I have a tattoo of a mummy and baby giraffe, I have painted numerous canvases.
That is to say, I saw/see myself in the heroine, I recognised the places, slang, even road signs like:
CAUTION! DON’T FEED YOUR FINGERS TO THE ANIMALS!’
This particular instalment is about a lion cub that Martine rescues from a rich guy.
We don’t get as much Jemmy the white giraffe or, indeed, Sawubona Wildlife Reserve. We do get Ben, we get mentions of Grace, and we get such an important message about safekeeping our future for the younger generation.
Yes, reading this as an adult, I can roll my eyes at the plot conveniences and how easy everything is at the end, but I was still moved and touched.
Be right back, I’m going to ask my family if I can come stay with them again.
Arc gifted by publisher.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
September 8, 2025
The Lion Cub’s Secret by Lauren St John is a fabulous contemporary children’s novel that is perfect for ages eight years and over. It is the second book in The White Giraffe series and can be read as a stand-alone. However, I recommend reading book one first as this book continues on where the previous book ended.
Once more we join eleven-year-old Martine, her friend Ben and her grandmother on Sawubona game reserve in South Africa. All are caretakers and guardians of the animals. “If we don’t fight for them, who will?” As the book progresses, we see how important it is, to look after our animals and planet for their future and for our future generations.
The focus of the novel are lions. We ‘meet’ the literary lion, Aslan, and also stolen and ill-treated cubs and lions. Their heritage and breeding shines through as characteristics from ancestors have passed down the lines.
Life gives us scars. Scars show where we have been. There reveal our battles and show that we have survived. “Even with all his scars he was… perfect.” Our scars reveal our character.
Martine is connected with the ancients. “When Martine heard the lion’s command, she spun round… she felt as if he’d spoken to her heart.” Her heart ‘hears’ even if her eyes do not see. When Martine speaks, she can be trusted even though she is young.
Education is important. Ironically it is the children who recognize the importance of preserving the planet and animals for future generations.
Even if your life is on a bad path, “it’s never too late to do the right thing… Whatever you’ve done in the past, you can choose to be different now.” Our futures still need to be written.
Lauren St John adds humor to her story, with her road signs. “Warthogs and children have right of way… Save dung beetles! Don’t drive over elephant poo!... Please check under your vehicle for penguins.”
Africa springs to life under the author’s descriptive pen.
Whatever your age, The Lion Cub’s Secret is a perfect read. We all need to look after others and our planet. The importance can be summed up in the “motto at Sawubona… No animal left behind.”
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Once more we join eleven-year-old Martine, her friend Ben and her grandmother on Sawubona game reserve in South Africa. All are caretakers and guardians of the animals. “If we don’t fight for them, who will?” As the book progresses, we see how important it is, to look after our animals and planet for their future and for our future generations.
The focus of the novel are lions. We ‘meet’ the literary lion, Aslan, and also stolen and ill-treated cubs and lions. Their heritage and breeding shines through as characteristics from ancestors have passed down the lines.
Life gives us scars. Scars show where we have been. There reveal our battles and show that we have survived. “Even with all his scars he was… perfect.” Our scars reveal our character.
Martine is connected with the ancients. “When Martine heard the lion’s command, she spun round… she felt as if he’d spoken to her heart.” Her heart ‘hears’ even if her eyes do not see. When Martine speaks, she can be trusted even though she is young.
Education is important. Ironically it is the children who recognize the importance of preserving the planet and animals for future generations.
Even if your life is on a bad path, “it’s never too late to do the right thing… Whatever you’ve done in the past, you can choose to be different now.” Our futures still need to be written.
Lauren St John adds humor to her story, with her road signs. “Warthogs and children have right of way… Save dung beetles! Don’t drive over elephant poo!... Please check under your vehicle for penguins.”
Africa springs to life under the author’s descriptive pen.
Whatever your age, The Lion Cub’s Secret is a perfect read. We all need to look after others and our planet. The importance can be summed up in the “motto at Sawubona… No animal left behind.”
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
February 12, 2026
The Lion Cub’s Secret
By Lauren St John
Published by Hachette Children's Group
This is the second story in the Lauren St John's White Giraffe series which has become internationally loved and admired.
After Martine’s amazing bravery and commitment to saving the White Giraffe, comes another adventure full of twists and turns.
Imagine seeing the proudest of lions, warrior like with scars to tell of his battles but everyone close to you denies it, a mirage maybe.
Martine rescues an orphaned lion cub from a trader at the market and dreams of keeping him forever. But Tau, the cub, has a story. Snatched from one of South Africa's most famous game reserves, Tau and his family are troubled by glory hunters, animal traders and pet exotics.
After some research, Martine and her best friend Ben are invited to return Tau to the reserve to help settle him in. But something isn’t quite right. The beautiful reserve and its surroundings is riddled with mysteries and secrets, and the lion cub's secret is the biggest one of all.
Martine and Ben can’t help themselves.
They are curious, bound by the love they have for nature and committed to finding out the truth.
Will they discover who they can trust?
Will they be brave enough to stand up for what they believe?
Will Tau ever be truly free?
This is the perfect class read for Y5 upwards to engage animal lovers, conservationists and a time to discover or rediscover this bestselling series.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery
#waterstones
By Lauren St John
Published by Hachette Children's Group
This is the second story in the Lauren St John's White Giraffe series which has become internationally loved and admired.
After Martine’s amazing bravery and commitment to saving the White Giraffe, comes another adventure full of twists and turns.
Imagine seeing the proudest of lions, warrior like with scars to tell of his battles but everyone close to you denies it, a mirage maybe.
Martine rescues an orphaned lion cub from a trader at the market and dreams of keeping him forever. But Tau, the cub, has a story. Snatched from one of South Africa's most famous game reserves, Tau and his family are troubled by glory hunters, animal traders and pet exotics.
After some research, Martine and her best friend Ben are invited to return Tau to the reserve to help settle him in. But something isn’t quite right. The beautiful reserve and its surroundings is riddled with mysteries and secrets, and the lion cub's secret is the biggest one of all.
Martine and Ben can’t help themselves.
They are curious, bound by the love they have for nature and committed to finding out the truth.
Will they discover who they can trust?
Will they be brave enough to stand up for what they believe?
Will Tau ever be truly free?
This is the perfect class read for Y5 upwards to engage animal lovers, conservationists and a time to discover or rediscover this bestselling series.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery
#waterstones
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews