Sundiata: Lion King of Mali

Sundiata: Lion King of Mali brings to life the thirteenth-century legend of Sundiata Keita, who overcame a severe physical disability, social disgrace, and exile to ultimately rise up and found the great West African trading empire of Mali. David Wisniewski's dramatic, intricately cut-paper collage illustrations — inspired by Malinke art and artifacts — give this oral history the visual power of a striking folktale while remaining grounded in historical fact. This Caldecott Medal-winning book is an excellent choice for students because it introduces a celebrated African historical figure and empire largely absent from Western history curricula, modeling resilience and overcoming adversity through extraordinary visual storytelling.

Publishing Details

Author : David Wisniewski

Illustrator : David Wisniewski

Author Nationality : United States

Physical Details

Type of Book: Picture

Cover: Softcover

Pages: 32

Size: 11.0 x 8.7 inches

Year Published: 1997

Instructional Details

Reading Grade Level: Kindergarten

Genre: Non-Fiction

Sub-Genre: Biography

Theme: About POC, Social Studies, Black History, Disabilities