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Mansa Musa: The Lion of Mali
When an evening celebration in his village is disrupted by the cries of slave raiders, young Kankan Musa runs to find his spear, but in a moment he is taken. Suddenly, the world he has known is gone. Is he to be a slave? Or will destiny carry this son of a proud people to a different future?
Caldecott Medalists Leo and Diane Dillon capture the grandeur of Africa's ancient empires, lands, and people in stunning paintings as this richly imagined tale of the boyhood of Mansa Musa, one of Mali's most celebrated kings, carries us across the continent on a triumphant journey of self-discovery.
Caldecott Medalists Leo and Diane Dillon capture the grandeur of Africa's ancient empires, lands, and people in stunning paintings as this richly imagined tale of the boyhood of Mansa Musa, one of Mali's most celebrated kings, carries us across the continent on a triumphant journey of self-discovery.
56 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 3, 2022
Highly recommend for both early and upper elementary ages. (A bit dense for toddler and preschool ages)
Mansa Musa was, far and away, the richest person who ever lived. Nobody else comes close. Richer than Croesus. Richer than Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates -- by a hundredfold, at least. This book tells a legendary version of his young adulthood (teens and early twenties)... I say legendary because Musa's arc includes some supernatural elements, yet he and his family are known to be real.
If your audience is in the upper ranges, please don't be put off by the picture book format -- the text here is vivid and rich, and would do absolutely fine without even a peek at the pictures. This particular publication is a rare occasion when the illustrations in a picture book aren't doing anything necessary, yet are beautiful and welcome by those of us who enjoy the format.
PS: this would work very, very well as a follow-up to Sundiata: Lion King of Mali -- read in that order, the two together give a solid, consecutive, chronological baseline on the Kingdom of Mali. I'd love a good one of Mansa Musa's brother, Abubakari II, as well... what an amazing couple of generations.
Mansa Musa was, far and away, the richest person who ever lived. Nobody else comes close. Richer than Croesus. Richer than Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates -- by a hundredfold, at least. This book tells a legendary version of his young adulthood (teens and early twenties)... I say legendary because Musa's arc includes some supernatural elements, yet he and his family are known to be real.
If your audience is in the upper ranges, please don't be put off by the picture book format -- the text here is vivid and rich, and would do absolutely fine without even a peek at the pictures. This particular publication is a rare occasion when the illustrations in a picture book aren't doing anything necessary, yet are beautiful and welcome by those of us who enjoy the format.
PS: this would work very, very well as a follow-up to Sundiata: Lion King of Mali -- read in that order, the two together give a solid, consecutive, chronological baseline on the Kingdom of Mali. I'd love a good one of Mansa Musa's brother, Abubakari II, as well... what an amazing couple of generations.
October 16, 2009
"When your children's children and their descendants for many generations unborn say to those in distant lands, 'I am descended from the Malinke of Mali,' will people ask them, 'Where is Mali?' When the epic tales of great nations are told, will the glories of Mali be remembered, or will some of little gold and few victories say that the Malinke went naked in the forests, ate their grains wild, their meat raw, and were fit only to be salves? Who then will be able to challenge such evil misstatements and say, 'We knew Mali in her glory. Her kings and heroes, her great beauty, and the legend of her might lives on in our memory'?"
from Mansa Musa by Kephera Burns
from Mansa Musa by Kephera Burns
February 12, 2018
Fictionalized biography of the boy who eventually became Mali's king. Gorgeous book design and illustrations by Leo and Diane Dillon.
September 20, 2018
Beautiful illustrations and an interesting story. A bit too long for my 8-year-old to get through in one sitting. We finished it in 2 days. I'll check it out again for my daughter when we get to this point in our history curriculum. We read this as recommended in The Story of the World, Vol. 2.
April 10, 2011
Another book for my son. It is not a one night read for him, being seven so we're treating it like a chapter book. The artwork is incredible!
March 7, 2024
What a rich telling of a possible biography of the wealthiest man who ever lived. I enjoyed the artwork as well but this one is all about the story. It is listed as a picture book but this one is dense and will take some work for a child to get through. It took me a couple of sittings to get through myself. The supernatural elements woven into the historical story made it even more fun. I recommend this one highly if you want to understand more about Africa's ancient and powerful empires.
August 2, 2017
Nice book to read and have in your library. The history aspect of it is good. The real story of Masa Musa is in thr last few pages of the book only.
I would honestly say I wanted to know more of the real character but there is not much known of the ancient history about him. Still, it is nice to have in an Islamic library section. The illustrations is so nice and the color is great
I would honestly say I wanted to know more of the real character but there is not much known of the ancient history about him. Still, it is nice to have in an Islamic library section. The illustrations is so nice and the color is great
March 28, 2019
Beautiful illustrations and romantic prose tell the story of a great king of Mali and the journey that educated him. An essential book to have to help fill the gap in U.S. students knowledge of the kingdoms and civilizations of Africa. An author's note helps distinguish fact from fiction. SOurces are provided.
November 27, 2020
Mansa Musa, in my opinion is a must read.
When I studied West African Ancient History in School, Mali Empire was one of the topics I was taught and I covered Mansa Kankan Musa.
Mansa Musa was one of West Africa's greatest Rulers.
When I studied West African Ancient History in School, Mali Empire was one of the topics I was taught and I covered Mansa Kankan Musa.
Mansa Musa was one of West Africa's greatest Rulers.
February 5, 2018
A great little tale from Mali. Will have you daydreaming about travelling deserts, meeting jinns and finding lost cities!
June 10, 2018
Part folklore, part historical fiction, this short story shows Africa's rich history explaining present day circumstances and culture. A (fun!) must read for researchers!
July 11, 2021
This book is a work of art--the words, the illustrations. All beautiful. Thank you.
April 28, 2022
This picture book was awesome. It has nice quotes throughout and that helped me to have good discussions with my kids.
October 18, 2022
A wonderful book and the first one I have read about Mansa Musa. Hope to read many more!
March 27, 2023
I really liked this book. I also liked Tariq and Can Can, and how this book was fact and some legend.
April 2, 2025
“There is no greater freedom than freedom from the fear of death.”
What a great quote! This is the freedom that I find in Christ alone!
Neat story that I was able to read at archive.com for free. Highly recommend using them for borrowing books to see if you want to add them to your collection!
What a great quote! This is the freedom that I find in Christ alone!
Neat story that I was able to read at archive.com for free. Highly recommend using them for borrowing books to see if you want to add them to your collection!
June 24, 2013
A picture book for older readers, for sure. This is a somewhat fantastical story--told in the style of a great folk tale or legend--but it has a lot of grounding in history. As usual, the Dillons' illustrations are stellar. The format of the book reminds me of what an African illuminated manuscript might look like if there are such things.
August 11, 2009
It looks as though it would be for a younger grade because of the cover and size. However, it is a book for grades 6 to 8. Beautiful artwork. Not a lot of historical "meat" but it gives the framework for researching the truth behind this extrodinary person and his life.
August 10, 2016
This tale provides an engaging account of the youth of Mansa Musa, from his childhood where he was sold into slavery until he becomes the great king. Stunningly illustrated and warmly told, this is a simple yet inspiring story.
November 19, 2015
This picture book tells an imagined tale of the boyhood of Mansa Musa, one of Mali's most celebrates kings. It's beautifully illustrated by Caldecott Medalists Leo and Diane Dillon. We read this to complement our Middle Ages history lesson about Africa.
March 20, 2016
I value children's books like this that are able to keep the attention of an adult yet invoke powerful imaginings. I also value that this book represents a civilization I know little about. Reminds me of the magical realism of Marquez.
April 12, 2009
Beautiful Story of Mansa Musa in Africa. Africa, trade, cultures, coming of age story, self-discovery. Great Moon Level Read Aloud, or Sun Level Independent Reader.
August 30, 2010
Illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon. Coming of age story. Gorgeous illustrations!
February 20, 2011
A Children's book about Mali and it was wonderful! Not just the story but also the illustrations. Get it for your kids :-D
November 7, 2016
great story, i read it to my son!
October 6, 2021
Partly fictional
June 16, 2011
Story of the great king of Mali in the early 1300's. Beautifully illustrated!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews