A Leap for Legadema: The True Story of a Little Leopard in a Big World

by Beverly Joubert, Dereck Joubert

Overview

The special bond between a mother leopard and her cub is illuminated in this heartwarming coming-of-age story set in Botswana's lush Okavango Delta. Stunning photographs from a legendary duo of National Geographic explorers are sure to captivate young readers and raise awareness about this amazing species and the threats leopards face.

The little leopard Legadema has to learn to find her place in a big, big world. When the cub was born during a fantastic African storm, the sky cracked and brightened with lightning, and Legadema, which means "light from the sky," was named. She soon learns from her mother that the path to adulthood isn't always easy. She also has to learn from experience, like when she encounters a hungry pride of lions! Luckily for Legadema, her mom is one fierce protector. Amidst the vibrant, chirping grasslands, bristling with danger and predators, will little Legadema learn to hunt, hide, and thrive as she strikes out on her own?

This sweet story, with its breathtaking photographs, explores the challenges and joys of family, love, and growing up, and is a perfect bedtime read-aloud tale.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426329739
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/06/2018
Series:	Baby Animal Tales Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Beverly Joubert is an award-winning filmmaker/photographer and conservationist from Botswana who has been filming, researching, and exploring in Africa for more than 25 years. Together with her husband, fellow National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dereck, she has produced many articles for National Geographic and other scientific journals, as well as more than 20 films and 10 books. They have initiated several conservation projects, including the Big Cats Initiative to save the planet's endangered big cat species.

Dereck Joubert is an award-winning filmmaker/photographer and naturalist who leads a life of adventure that most people can only imagine. For more than 25 years, he and his wife, fellow National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Beverly, have made the African wilderness their home, dedicating their lives to understanding and protecting its majestic creatures. They have numerous Emmys and a Peabody for their movies. In addition to their filmmaking, Dereck has written many articles and books for National Geographic.

Editorial Reviews

01/22/2018
The Jouberts—husband-and-wife photographers, conservationists, and National Geographic explorers-in-residence—document their time spent filming a young leopard and her mother, Tortilis, in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Sharp photographs depict quiet moments between Legadema and Tortilis, as the mother leopard protects and cares for her cub: “Each day that Legadema’s mother was playing with her, she was teaching her how to be a big leopard.” The Jouberts capture the threats inherent in the “noisy, chirping, squeaking, trumpeting, bellowing, roaring Eden” of the leopards’ sub-Saharan home, most dramatically when Legadema and her mother are nearly attacked by a lion. It’s a straightforward but gripping portrait of leopards in the wild and a young animal developing into a capable, independent adult. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

"Stunning photographs laid out over a bold color palette of oranges and greens will entertain readers and have them gushing about the beautiful big cats... A strong addition for any children’s collection, especially where Deborah Lee Rose and Susan Kelly’s Jimmy the Joey: The True Story of an Amazing Koala Rescue and Lucy Cooke’s A Little Book of Sloth are popular." — School Library Journal

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From the Publisher

02/01/2018
Gr 1–4—Legadema is a young leopard who must learn to survive in the Okavango Delta, in Botswana, Africa. Award-winning filmmakers, photographers, and authors, the Jouberts watched Legadema for four and a half years as she grew from a days-old leopard cub into a full-grown adult who must live and survive on her own. On the very first page, the authors tell readers to look for a certain unique spot right next to Legadema's nose to help distinguish her among multiple leopards. The narrative progresses through the early years of Legadema's life, with mini-stories about a close call with some lions and her love of chasing squirrels. Stunning photographs laid out over a bold color palette of oranges and greens will entertain readers and have them gushing about the beautiful big cats. At the end of the book, the authors provide kid-friendly fun facts about leopards and various resources for learning more. However, the suggested reading is mostly aimed at an older audience. VERDICT A strong addition for any children's collection, especially where Deborah Lee Rose and Susan Kelly's Jimmy the Joey: The True Story of an Amazing Koala Rescue and Lucy Cooke's A Little Book of Sloth are popular.—Kristin Unruh, Siersma Elementary School, Warren, MI

School Library Journal

2017-12-21
Stunning color photographs and a lively, engaging text depict both the special bond between a mother leopard and her cub and how the cub learns to become independent.This coming-of-age story about Legadema, meaning "light from the sky" in the Setswana language, takes place in Botswana's lush Okavango Delta region. The Jouberts chronicle how the cub learns from her mother and from experience the skills she will need to survive on her own. One dramatic moment finds the cub encountering a pride of hungry lions and narrowly escaping by climbing a tree. The descriptive text is vividly evocative of Legadema's world: "When crimson clouds blanketed the horizon and the forest came alive with a cacophony of animals and an orchestra of frogs that sounded like tiny bells, Legadema's mother carried her cub in her mouth and settled into their sheltered den." Beverly Joubert's captivating photographs capture the cub at play, at rest, interacting with her mother, and hunting. The Jouberts explain in an afterword that they spent four and a half years living with Legadema. In addition to Legadema's story is general information about leopards and a color map showing where they live in Africa. An attractively designed, appealing, and informative story suitable for reading aloud or reading independently. (maps, photos) (Nonfiction. 4-8)

Kirkus Review