Blog Archives
A Bit of a Crazy Event
Book 5 – The Lions follows a frightened but kind-hearted hero as she navigates a dangerous wilderness, forms unlikely alliances, and discovers that courage can exist even when fear never fully fades. What were some sources that informed this book’s development?
The Lions is the 5th book in a 10 book series, all written whilst I was travelling through Africa in a camper van with my husband. The lion’s story developed from a bit of a crazy event we experienced ourselves. We were on a guided walk in the Botswana Delta with a guide we later discovered was really quite inexperienced. We were aware there had been a lion kill that morning, as we had all heard it from our tent, and we stumbled upon a pride of lions just about to start their buffalo breakfast. It was a huge buffalo (particularly compared to us – we literally would have been a side of chips in comparison), and the lions had fought hard for it, The male roared so loudly at us that I think my heart stopped for a minute or two. We had a bit of a stare off for a minute, us and them, until both parties left – us walking backwards slowly, they walking in the long grass, quite quickly, in the opposite direction. It was that moment that inspired Book 5, particularly how the lions all scoff at Casper, a teeny weeny house cat, worried that they’d bother eating something that was smaller than the average hairball they cough up every now and then.
What inspired Casper’s personality? Especially the choice to let her stay scared while still being brave?
I think Casper is all of us, brave and scared all the time. Anxious and confident. I mean, I know I’m anxious, and I know so many of my friends and family are too, but nobody ever really knows that, because we are confident too. We spend our life navigating new waters; whether it’s a new job or a new school or a new friend or a new town – how can we not be scared and anxious? But we have to do it, we have to get through, or wouldn’t we just be a shivering wreck all the time? Never leave home? I ran a film school for some years, back in Australia, and so many of my students were so, so anxious, and they thought they were the only one. But here they were, at a university, far from home, learning to become a filmmaker. I realised then that just about everyone is anxious, the most talented, the most beautiful, the most weird, wonderful, crazy – it doesn’t matter who we are, we’re all anxious and we should know that we are all anxious, and we are also all brave, and that it’s perfectly normal to be that way.
Was there a particular animal character (or group of animals) you had the most fun writing, and why?
In this book I loved writing about the lion brothers. These huge, beautiful, confident (and a little arrogant) animals, kings of the jungle, who don’t have to do much but swagger around all day long while the lionesses hunt and care for the kids, and here they are, being yelled at by a tiny house cat (no bigger than a chip). But at the end of the day, the minute they hear their family is in danger, they jump up with no thought but to protect them, regardless of the danger. I enjoyed the brotherly love they had, the easy conversation between them, the confidence in their kingliness.
In other books, one of my absolute favourites was the baby elephant, Bugle, in Book 2, The Elephants, because he reminded me of so many young boys (I have 4 younger brothers), and their obsession with things like poop and farting. I loved writing him because I found him funny and I probably was missing my brothers at the time!
The story emphasizes cooperation across different creatures. Was that message something you planned from the start?
The entire series came about because I’ve always wondered if cats and dogs that get lost and then find their way home, sometimes hundreds of miles away, asked other animals for directions. And why wouldn’t they? And the world is so terribly chaotic at the moment, I just wanted to create a world where there is peace and kindness and no hatred for someone who is not like you. I know that my little Casperverse is all love and cooperation and gentleness in a harsh world, and maybe it’s unrealistic, but I find it peaceful and I want to live there, and I hope that when kids are reading my books they ‘live’ there too, if only for the few hours it takes to read. Maybe this behaviour, this cooperation can be as learned as bigotry is, and maybe, in the end, enough books like this will win the battle for the next generation so that it isn’t just wishful thinking anymore.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn |TikTok | YouTube | Pinterest | Goodreads
After leaving the noisy baboons behind, Casper wakes up beneath a tree full of chattering guinea fowl, only to stumble straight into the path of two enormous lions. But Hasani and Harry aren’t quite what she expected. Between their royal-sized egos, jump-scares, and thunderous laughs, Casper soon discovers that being king of the jungle comes with its own set of problems—especially when poachers return to the savannah.
Joined by an army of surprising new allies—spiders, scorpions, and even antlions—Casper helps the pride turn the hunters into the hunted, proving once again that courage doesn’t always come with claws and fangs.
Perfect for readers ages 5–10, The Lions is a beautifully illustrated chapter book packed with:
• Exciting animal adventures and laugh-out-loud surprises
• Big-hearted themes of courage, teamwork, and protecting others
• Real wildlife facts woven seamlessly into the story
Written by award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Ussi and illustrated by Lekshmi Bose, this thrilling 7,000-word tale roars with adventure, humor, and heart—reminding readers that even the smallest voice can make a mighty difference.
The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 4: The Baboons
Casper the Cat embarks on a heartwarming and eye-opening journey through the African jungle in Jennifer Ussi’s The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa. Surrounded by her jungle friends, Casper learns how animals coexist, communicate, and care for one another. When Evelyn, a brave young baboon with only one arm, attempts to comfort a crying leopard cub without its family’s consent, chaos ensues—sparking an unexpected conflict between the baboons and leopards. Amid the tension, Casper is puzzled. Why should compassion lead to such turmoil? Can understanding bridge the divide between two angry tribes, or will the jungle descend into battle?
What makes this story shine is its message of empathy and perspective. Through Casper’s calm reasoning and Evelyn’s pure-hearted actions, children see that kindness can change how others view a situation. Even when danger looms, Casper puts aside fear to help others see that Evelyn’s gesture came from love, not defiance. The story beautifully reminds readers, young and old, that seeing the world through another’s eyes often leads to peace and understanding.
Adding charm to the narrative is a playful dose of humor. Henry, the mischievous elder baboon, and his spirited twin sons fill the pages with laughter and light moments. Their antics offer children a joyful reminder that humor can strengthen bonds and lift spirits, even in tense times. The vibrant personalities of the jungle’s inhabitants make this tale not only educational but utterly delightful to read.
Illustrator Lekshmi Bose brings Ussi’s vision to life with artistry and care. Her detailed, neutral-toned illustrations enhance the natural beauty of the African wilderness. Every page feels alive, each animal expressive, each scene immersive.
The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa is far more than a children’s tale; it’s a celebration of empathy, curiosity, and unity. Readers of all ages will not only enjoy its adventure and humor but also gain insights into African wildlife and conservation, meeting creatures such as leopards, baboons, helmeted guineafowl, and even playful squirrels.
Pages: 82 | ASIN : B0FNR626PT
