Nani and the Lion

By Alicia D. Williams

From Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award winner Alicia D. Williams comes a rhythmic picture book about an irrepressible little drummer determined to outwit the grumpy, noise-hating Lion.

Nani loves to drum. Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum. Her music captures the sounds of life, rustles the forest leaves, rouses all the critters, and never fails to get the villagers up and dancing, dancing, dancing. But one day, they're too scared to dance. Lion, king of the land, has outlawed noisemaking of any kind. The villagers beg her to stay quiet.

Nani's heart pounds with fear, but her love for drumming beats more loudly. To keep playing her music and bringing joy to her village, Nani must stand up to the biggest bully around armed with only courage, quick thinking, and her drum.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 166591422X
• ISBN13: 9781665914222
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Atheneum Books
• Length: 40 Pages
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 11.0" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3