Kandinga the Lion

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there was a lion called Kandinga.
He was the most powerful lion, but also the most wicked one. His evilness was so great that he would devour his friends if he was hungry. This is why he ended up lonely. His friends, his wife and his children left him alone.

The story of Kandinga treasures the wisdom of the African people, their millenary oral tradition and the richness of their culture. A tale that invites us on an imaginary journey to the hidden savannah to meet its inhabitants: crocodiles, elephants… And exercising his hegemony over them all, the lion.
The protagonist of this fable is a king in decline – old, sick and abandoned – because of his cruelty. Selfishness and greed are bad travelling companions, not only for wild animals, but also for people.
Elisa Arguilé complements the text with primitive-style illustrations that stand out for their expressive power and contrasts of colour.

Key points

2011 – IBBY Brasil, Highly Recommended by FNLIJ
2011 – Special mention in Città Di Bella Award
2009 – CJ Cultural Foundation Award, Corea

• A story from the Bantu oral tradition of Cameroon.
• A reflection on human behaviour such as generosity and greed.

Boniface Ofogo

2023 – Banco del Libro de Venezuela, Best Books for Children and Young People Award

Elisa Arguilé

2014 – Finalist in Cuatrogatos Foundation Award
2007 – National Illustration Award, Spain