author / illustrator: Souleymane Mbodj, Magali Attiogbé
ages: 5+
32 pages
22 x 28.5 cm
hardback
French
Les Éditions des Éléphants
Sama The Little Elephant Who Wanted to Be Loved
The uplifting story of a little white elephant, rejected from his herd because he is different.
Sama is a little white elephant. Nobody wants him. Leaving his village and his family, he reaches after a long journey a kingdom where hospitality is the rule and mocking is forbidden. There, they value his kindness so much that the genie of the bush decides to reward him: he makes a lake appear and entrusts it to Sama.
In this kingdom where water is scarce, Sama, the guardian of such a precious commodity, is highly respected, and the water is equitably shared. However, Bouki, the infernal, envious and ill-bread hyena, doesn't care about Sama's rule: not only does she drinks the lake water and bathes in it, but she also relieves herself in it! Outrage!
A beautiful and optimistic tale about differences, altruism, and equal access to vital resources.
BY THE SAME ILLUSTRATOR
Rue des Quatre-Vents, 2019 Bologna Ragazzi Award, Mention
Unfold the World - series (several titles)
My House From 1 to 10 - Come see series
BY THE SAME AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: