{"id":282695,"date":"2010-02-05T12:57:11","date_gmt":"2010-02-05T17:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/archives\/2342"},"modified":"2010-02-05T12:57:11","modified_gmt":"2010-02-05T17:57:11","slug":"teaching-ancient-civilizations-with-children%e2%80%99s-literature-sudiata-lion-king-of-mali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/282695","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Ancient Civilizations with Children\u2019s Literature: Sudiata- Lion King of Mali"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"9780395613023.jpg\"<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

“Listen to me, children of the Bright Country, and ear the great deeds of ages past. The words I speak are those of my father and his father before him. Listen, then, to the story of Sundiata, the Lion King, who overcame all things to walk with greatness.”<\/p>\n

Passed down through oral tradtition and rooted in truth, this dramatic story recounts the story of Sundiata, the prince of Mali, who overcame\u00a0diversity\u00a0and his\u00a0physical handicap and saved the kingdom of Mali. Sundiata: The Lion King of Mali <\/a>written and illustrated by David Wisniewski <\/a>is a charming tale of courage and strength appropriate for all ages. Readers will fall in love with a young Sundiata who, unable to walk,\u00a0is taunted and ridiculed by the very people\u00a0he is fated to lead. Sudiata is loved and protected only by his mother Sologon, his father the King, and his friend and griot<\/em> Balla. With only the kindness in his heart,\u00a0Sundiata survives many attempts on his life and ploys for his throne.<\/p>\n

\u00a0After the death of the King and the banishment of his only friend Balla, Sundiata decides to flee Mali in hopes of returning when he has become stronger. Sundiata makes many friends and allies in his journey and they help him grow in strenth and in stature. When word comes to Sundiata that the Kingdom of Mali has been taken over by an evil sorcerer king Sassouma, he gathers an army of his allies and rides to take back Mali. Sundiata takes back his title as King of Mali and spreads his kindness through the land for many years.<\/p>\n

“Now I return as your king. Henceforth none shall interfere with anothers destiny. You, your children, and your children’s children shall find their appointed place within this land forever.”<\/p>\n

\nCurriculum Connections<\/strong><\/p>\n

The tale of Sundiata:\u00a0Lion\u00a0King of Mali along\u00a0with the vivid paper cut illustrations, is\u00a0a perfect supplement\u00a0for the Third Grade Social Science\u00a0curriculum. Relating directly to the SOL 3.2 students will learn all about the\u00a0South American kingdom of Mali.\u00a0Sundiata’s tale is told by an elder\u00a0explaining how the story\u00a0has been\u00a0passed down for generations allowing students to learn all about the rich\u00a0oral tradition of the people of Mali. Sundiata’s struggle to\u00a0keep and gain back his title\u00a0gives a lot of insight into Mali’s government and along with the map at the beginning, students will get a better picture of\u00a0Mali. Although relating directly to\u00a03rd grade curriculum,\u00a0the strength and patience of\u00a0Sundiata can be an uplifting story for any age.<\/p>\n

Virginia\u00a0Standards of Learning 3.2, 3.5<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n