Reviews

How the Leopard Got His Claws by John Iroaganachi, Chinua Achebe, Mary GrandPré

royaltylovebooks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad fast-paced

5.0

taliaissmart's review against another edition

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2.0

How the Leopard Got His Claws chronicles the breakdown of peace and harmony in the forest kingdom triggered by a power struggle between the leopard and the dog.

Although the illustrations are absolutely GORGEOUS, I can’t look past this story’s narrative faults. Achebe’s/Iroaganachi’s writing did not particularly impress me—it was inconsistently formal, and the writers seemed to struggle in terms of adhering to the folktale format. I failed to understand the necessity of the intermittent songs within the story.

Additionally, it really bothered me that Achebe chose to adapt such a dark, grim story for a childhood audience. It’s violent, depressing, and it does NOT have a happy ending. As a kid I would have been traumatized by this book. Plus, it portrays dogs in a really nasty light.

minda's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

christinajoyi's review against another edition

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dark emotional

4.5

locpressedbooks_'s review against another edition

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4.0

I really liked this one, it was a little dark, but I like the stories that came from it. Like why the Dog is known as mans best friend and why the Leopard is King. It was a great story. I was entertained even when I thought that my daughter might not have gotten it all the way.

I liked this one so much, I'm putting on my list to buy.

aprilleigh's review

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3.0

This sounds a lot like some modern governments and the people they govern. They follow the strongest “leader” out of fear, regardless of his ability to lead or his concern for his people. Then they all persist in praising their misery and mercilessly tormenting anyone who dares to speak out. And don’t ever try to leave a tyrannical government, because it’s not allowed.

A truly wise and kind king wouldn’t have turned on his people the way the leopard did. They may be cowardly sheep, but a true leader forgives these weaknesses.
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