IDIA OF THE BENIN KINGDOM

A picture book tells the story of Queen Idia of the African kingdom of Benin.

A girl named Idia dreams of a battle and “a woman who helped to heal those who were hurt by mixing herbs and potions.” The next day, Idia attends a festival, where she performs a traditional dance for the Oba (king) with other villagers. But she remains distracted by her dream. As she gets older, Idia learns about magic and medicine from her mother. Now an adult, Idia is a skilled dancer and is invited to perform for the new Oba. He is impressed with Idia and wants to marry her. She asks her parents for guidance. They seek a native doctor who “made two deep marks in Idia’s forehead, to which he applied special medicines.” Idia dreams of the battle again and realizes the woman is actually her. She sees her future son, a king. Idia decides to marry the Oba. The story concludes: “She became a queen, a warrior, the first woman to fight for the kingdom, and the first Iyoba (Queen Mother) of Benin.” Aire’s intriguing tale is beautifully written. The story of Idia’s journey will captivate readers, offering a vibrant plot and a special protagonist. Shabelnyk’s depictions accentuate the text, delivering lovely portrayals of the narrative’s events and detailed scenery. The book includes useful backmatter: a short history of the Benin Empire and biographical information about Queen Idia.

An excellent, informative tale of an African queen for readers of all ages.