"Join Idia of the Benin Kingdom as she molds herself from the young and curious daughter of a village warrior to becoming the Queen of the ancient African Kingdom of Benin. Discover the journey of a young heroine who saw her future in a dream and works her way to becoming one of the most well-loved, praised, and successful queens in African History.Idia of the Benin Kingdom is a precious storybook that empowers young girls to create a vision of who they want to be as they create limitless possibilities for their future"-- - (Baker & Taylor)

Join Idia of the Benin Kingdom as she molds herself from the young and curious daughter of a village warrior to becoming the Queen of the ancient African Kingdom of Benin. Discover the journey of a young heroine who saw her future in a dream and works her way to becoming one of the most well-loved, praised, and successful queens in African History.Idia of the Benin Kingdom is a precious storybook that empowers young girls to create a vision of who they want to be as they create limitless possibilities for their future. - (Bch Fulfillment & Distribution)

Idia of the Benin Kingdom introduces young readers to the story of Queen Idia of the ancient Kingdom of Benin. She played an essential role during the reign of her son, Esigie, who ruled Benin from 1504-1550. This story tells of a young Idia who pursued her dreams, believed in herself, and became the first Queen Mother of Benin. - (Bch Fulfillment & Distribution)

Born and raised in Benin City, Edo, Nigeria, Ekiuwa Aire loves reading books about the history of her heritage and culture. She saw the need to share stories of African history as she noticed that there were not a lot of resources that discuss the topic.She intends to impart wisdom and pride to young minds who truly value tradition and history. - (Bch Fulfillment & Distribution)

School Library Journal Reviews

PreS-Gr 3—The first entry of a fiction series about African history centers on Idia, the first Iyoba (Queen Mother) of the Kingdom of Benin from 1504–1550. The book opens on Idia's childhood after she dreams that she fights in a battle and treats the wounded. In her community, however, men are the sole leaders and warriors. In exchange for practicing dancing and doing chores, her father and mother, respectively, agree to teach her about being a warrior and a healer. Later, her abilities catch the eye of the Oba (King) and as she entertains his proposal of marriage, she dreams that she is destined to rule and help her son during his time as Oba. The tale ends with her marriage. Back matter includes a map and the facts of the tale, that Idia did indeed excel in battle, creating a plan to disguise herself as a man to help defend the kingdom from attackers. Aire's #OwnVoices debut hooks readers with the initial dream sequence to draw them into the arc of Idia's life. Substantial text (in a difficult-to-read font) appears on each page, accompanied by Shabelnyk's radiant digital images and glowing scenery. As a child, Idia wears bantu knots and a white wrapped dress. She has deep brown skin and large almond-shaped eyes. White, red, and gold dominate the apparel of her community, and lush green and warm yellows and tans make up the grasses and surrounding huts and earth. Several key images are more complex and painterly, featuring detailed body art and jewelry. VERDICT This unique story lyrically fills an obvious hole in picture books, animating a powerful figure and showing children that they can achieve their dreams, literal or metaphorical, through perseverance.—Clara Hendricks, Cambridge P.L., MA