Blue Lion Wanini 6- Lion Asante

“There is no shame in losing. “The real shame is running away.”
The best-selling 'Blue Lion Wanini' series, a fairy tale elementary school 'read one book a semester' that supports children moving toward a new world, has returned with the sixth story. Volume 6 begins with Asante, the first male lion born in the Wanini pack, leaving her family and setting out on her own path. Readers who remember 'Uncle Asante', who left a strong impression in Volume 1, will be happy with just the name of the main character this time. He was called 'The Great Asante' and is a legendary lion who died fighting a strong opponent to protect young Wanini. . Young Asante, who had always been proud after inheriting a special name, was frustrated from the first day he set out to the grassland with his younger brother 'Huru' to realize that he had the same name as Uncle Asante, but was smaller and weaker. However, he faced several crises during his subsequent journey. He overcomes himself, meets wise lionesses, and grows into a responsible investigator. Asante's touching adventure of believing in himself and adapting to an unfamiliar plain will resonate not only with existing fans of the Wanini story but also with readers who are new to the series.

“What an investigator really needs to do is become as wise as he or she is strong.”
Courage and wisdom to overcome fear and protect what is precious

As soon as he sets out on the grassland, Asante is laughed at by other animals, saying he is not a lion worthy of his great name. Then, through the advice of the wandering lions she met by chance, she realizes that repeating her foolish mistakes is just a part of growing up and not because she is a weak lion. After going through large and small conflicts, Asante lives with the group of lioness 'Wedge', and learns that true strength is the attitude of listening to the hearts of beings different from 'me', and is reborn as a mature lion who shows courage to protect what is precious. Asante's adventure, as he escapes the protection of the group and solves all problems on his own for the first time, reminds me of the heart of a child who will one day leave a familiar place and face an unfamiliar world. Through Asante, author Hyun Lee conveys that true strength comes from believing in oneself, and encourages children to always believe in themselves and overcome their fears.

What kind of lion will Asante be? Sometimes he is brave, sometimes he is cowardly, sometimes he is wise, sometimes he is foolish, and sometimes he does things that even he cannot understand. At every moment, he will make his own choices, move on his own, and create his own story._ From “Writer’s Notes”

“We are the sweetest horses in the whole meadow.”
The beauty of the grassland, embracing ‘difference’

This work vividly depicts the African grassland ecosystem and captures the moment when love and friendship overcome the logic of the might of the jungle. Asante breaks his malevolent principles to form a group with Wedge, whom he fell in love with at first sight. The babies who were being cared for by the Wedge group were saved. In return, Wedge stays by Asante's side when he is in danger. The ethics of a male lion who protects the herd by eliminating competitors are bound to be different from that of a lioness who finds food and takes care of her babies. However, as they make choices for each other and overcome difficulties together, Asante and Wedge build deep trust. The images of lions trying to understand beings different from 'me' remind us of the beauty of accepting differences and living together. Meanwhile, Wanini, who was feeling lonely after losing her two sons, smells the scent of Asante and Huru, who were carried by the wind, and 'Maisha', the lioness who left Wanini in volume 5, and is thankful that everyone is safe. What else will happen to Wanini, who experiences the joys and sorrows of the grassland and fulfills his responsibilities as the leader of the group? The ‘Blue Lion Wanini’ series will continue in the future.