Leopard's Drum: An Asante Tale from West Africa Book

Osebo the leopard has a fine drum, a huge drum, a magnificent drum. All the animals covet Osebo’s drum, but he won’t let anyone else have it, not even Nyame, the Sky-God. So, Nyame offers a big reward to the animal that brings him the drum. All try — the monkey, the elephant, even the python — and all fail. Can a very small tortoise succeed in outwitting the boastful leopard?

Jessica Souhami’s vibrant collage illustrations, full of movement and humor, add additional appeal to this delightful story. The short, rhythmic text is perfect for reading aloud.

Children's Literature

Osebo, the leopard, has a beautiful drum. All the animals of the forest would like to own or at least play the drum. Osebo refuses to share. Nyame, the Sky God, asks Osebo three times if he could have it, borrow it, or at the least try it. Each time Osebo obnoxiously refuses. Nyame tells the animals that whoever can get the drum for him will receive a large reward. As a good just folk tale, the tortoise is the most unlikely character to cleverly acquire the drum. Souhaim paints the brightly-colored animals against a white page enhancing the bold energy of this traditional tale.