THE LION QUEEN

Rasila Vadher’s dream of caring for lions began when she visited the Gir Forest as a girl.

Each day after school, young Rasila sold peanuts to help her family make ends meet. On a school trip to the Gir Forest, she learned about the Asiatic lions, which were nearly hunted to extinction. Inspired to protect these magnificent beasts, she seized an opportunity to work as a forest guard, but gendered roles kept her confined to office work. Rasila tamped down her desires but jumped at the chance to head a rescue operation for an injured lioness. Her one face-to-face encounter with a lion left her with a sense of elation. Rasila’s confidence and abilities grew as she took on more responsibilities—catching pythons, patrolling for poachers, caring for abandoned lion cubs at the rescue center, and training other women on the force—which earned her the title Lion Queen. The bright illustrations in vibrant indigos, sunset oranges, and deep greens showcase lush forest landscapes as Singh details how Vadher realized her goal of becoming the first woman forest guard despite the constraints she faced as a woman in a conservative community. Though the narrative is a bit choppy in places, her determination and commitment are deeply moving. Backmatter offers information about Vadher, the other “Lion Queens” hired as rangers in Gujarat in 2007, and Asiatic lions.

A stirring story of persistence and courage.