Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion: Volume 1

Misha and Ziggy are twins with amazing superpowers. Misha can talk to animals and Ziggy can shape shift into them. Their father is a TV wildlife presenter and one holiday they get to travel with him to Ethiopia, to make a film about the rare black lion. But the black lion is in danger; there are poachers in the area. Can two children find and save the black lion and will their dad manage to make his film?

Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion is a lively, highly illustrated book for younger readers. The illustrations by Emma McCann, zip across the pages with as much life and fun as the twins themselves. All of the animals spring to life and the cartoon-like quality of the pictures is very appealing.

Misha and Ziggy are great fun as characters and their superpowers make it a wildlife story with a difference. Whilst the message is serious, about conservation and protecting the wildlife, the story makes it fun and not at all serious.

I particularly appreciated the facts in this book; I’d never heard about the black lion before. At the end of the book are some fun facts about black lions and Ethiopia, which I enjoyed. Suitable for those aged six plus, this would be a good early read for newly confident readers.

176 pages / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+

Looking for a chapter book that showcases a far-off country, features twins, promotes conservation of endangered species AND has a touch of magic? Look no further, just enjoy the first book in (what I hope will be) a new series.

Abiola Bello is a recognised author of Young Adult books and Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion is her first foray into fiction for younger children. It tells the story of twins Misha and Ziggy who just happen to have rather special talents - Misha can speak to animals and Ziggy can shapeshift into them! When they go with their dad to Ethiopia they think they are going to help him find the endangered, legendary black lion. However, when it goes missing only the twins can use their powers to track it down and protect it from poachers. Will they save the day? Let's hope so...

Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion is a brilliant starter to exploring the sensitive topics of endangered species and conservation in a sensitive way. Using this book with Year 2 or Year 3 children (ages 7+) will start conversations and hopefully spark a lifelong appreciation of how fragile our eco-system is and how some species are on the verge of being lost forever.

It presents Africa, in particular Ethiopia, as lush and vibrant, which makes a change from the disaster, famine-ravaged lands many are guilty of thinking it still is. The added sparkle of mysterious shape shifting and animal communication powers are a great addition to the story because the sense of mild danger is tangible at certain points.

Use this as your class reading book and the groans will be heard when the bell rings to mark the end of the day. I hope this new series goes far.

176 pages / Reviewed by Wendy Kelly, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+

Twins, Misha and Ziggy, share a secret. Misha can talk to animals whilst Ziggy can shapeshift into them. When they accompany their dad, a wildlife TV presenter, on a trip to Ethiopia, they are determined to help him find the legendary black lion. However, when they discover poachers are threatening the wildlife, they are sure they can use their powers to help.

Legend of the Black Lion is a very engaging and enjoyable adventure story. The idea of being able to   is really appealing, making this sure to be a very popular book - the first of a new series. The twins are lively and full of personality, who share a lovely relationship with their hard-working dad. Excited to see all the wildlife, they are also keen to use their powers to help their father get footage of the famous - and elusive - black lion.

Their adventure contains just the right amount of jeopardy and tension to make the story exciting without causing upset and reaches a very satisfying conclusion where the goodies triumph and all is well! Another lovely thing about this story is the amount of general information it contains about Ethiopia and its wildlife. Readers are sure to be fascinated by the fact that Ethiopia has a different calendar from the Western one, for example.

Additional information at the end of the book about both black lions and Ethiopia is included and there are plenty of lovely illustrations, bursting with personality, which add much to the story. Legend of the Black Lion would make an excellent class story!

176 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+