4 Stars

Talala is the true story of a leopard cub that finds home with a lioness and her little cubs. The book is based on a real-life incident that took place in Gir National Park in Gujarat, India.

The author has created a fictional backstory of how the leopard cub walks through the forest at night, looking at various animals ‘families and trying to fit in. Finally, Talala finds a lioness with her cubs and is welcomed by the lioness, who accepts her as a part of her family.

The story is cute, showing how emotional bonds are something stronger than everything else and can defy even nature’s laws. The illustrations are soft and heartwarming, perfect for bedtime reading.

The adoptive mother, the lioness, needs a special mention as she has lovingly accepted a leopard cub as one of her own. The book has pictures of real Talala at the end. I remember seeing them on social media, and it felt good to see a story based on it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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