Rise of the Lioness: Restoring a Habitat and its Pride on the Liuwa Plains

In western Zambia, the vibrant world of the the Liuwa Plains provides a perfect habitat for zebras, wildebeest and the mighty lions.  But poaching and war have severely damaged this isolated wilderness, reducing its lion population to just one:  Lady, the last lioness. Author Bradley Hague documents Lady’s fight for survival in this evocative narrative on the decline, fall, and rebirth of the Liuwa Plains. Follow Lady as she  grapples with an environment altered by human hands and discover how both Lady and humankind have struggled to restore balance to a damaged environment.

Hague seamlessly weaves together the tales of rebirth and survival in the natural world, reinforcing the importance of our roles as nature’s guardians and reminding us once again that when we take care of animals, we take care of ourselves. Booklist goes on to say in their starred review that “National Geographic’s trademark flair for breathtaking wildlife photos is well matched by Hague’s authoritative and well developed narrative.”

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My Review

Do you know how many lions are left on the Liuwa Plains? One, that’s right. One. And this is her story. The photography in this book is beautiful and the information in it is so interesting. If you have kids who love nature and animals, they will love reading about the Liuwa Plains, Lady and the habitat in which she lives. Though this book is meant for middle grade readers, I think any kids who are animal lovers are going to love this book.

About the Author

BRADLEY HAGUE is a self-employed writer and researcher for books, television, and film. His work can be seen in National Geographic Children’s Books, and on The History, The Discovery and National Geographic Channels.