1. Africa
2. Animal welfare
3. Animals
4. Betrayal
5. Bravery
6. Compassion
7. Courage
8. Danger
9. Empathy
10. Environmental destruction
11. Fables
12. Friendship
13. Humour
14. Kindness
15. Multimodal narratives
16. Music
17. Nature
18. Perspectives
19. Visual literacy

Aesop’s well known fable, ‘The Lion and the Mouse’, bears some similarities to ‘Dumazi and the Big Yellow Lion’. This story features the combined talents of writer/musician Valanga Khoza and artist/musician Matt Ottley. Together they offer a unique multi-dimensional experience combining words, illustrations and music.

Young Dumazi has a calabash upon her head. She is bound for the waterhole to fetch water. She comes upon a lion, entangled in a hunter’s rope trap, pleading for her help. She is wary knowing that lions eat girls like herself. The lion declares he would never do such a thing. Once freed though, he proclaims he is so hungry, he could eat a Zulu girl. After all it was only his mouth and not his tummy which promised Dumazi not to eat her.

Clever Dumazi suggests that they consult the other animals on this matter. An environmental theme emerges. The giraffe recalls humans cutting down trees and building fences, while the elephant remembers humans removing their tusks and destroying the jungle. Both declare the girl should be eaten by the lion. There is high drama until a very clever monkey entraps the lion again with a clever ruse. Good-hearted Dumazi again rescues the lion who has learned a small lesson and decides to leave Zulu girls and clever monkeys alone.

Matt Ottley’s digital mixed media artwork is the perfect accompaniment for this fable. Subtleties capture the viewer. For example, the textured paper in soft shades of golds and blues invite close examination. Animals are viewed from humorous and interesting perspectives. Darkly coloured scenes add tension and drama. The vast African countryside and bird life offer interesting backdrops to the main story.

The book’s accompanying CD offers an immensely enjoyable experience for individuals and groups. It captures the story’s drama and sly humour. Eleven musical compositions and songs enhance the story. Valanga Khoza has a storyteller’s flair for embellishing the written text. Author and illustrator worked together on these 11 musical pieces that feature the African Marimba and Kalimba instruments. This accompanying multi-dimensional aspect of ‘Dumazi and the Big Yellow Lion’ offers a memorable story experience.

Valanga Khoza grew up in a village in the Limpopo province of the Republic of South Africa. As a child he listened to stories told around the fire by his grandparents. These focussed on the interaction between animals and humans. He left South Africa in 1976, exiled in a struggle against racism. His music and stories reflect the people and places throughout his journey across the world as a refugee before settling in Australia.

1. Scholastic Teachers’ Notes by Rachel Horsfield Carlyle for ‘Dumazi and the Big Yellow Lion’ https://pegiwilliams.com.au/pdfs/teachernotes/9781742994116.pdf
2. Momo Celebrating Time to Read 14 Nov 2019 reviews ‘Dumazi and the Big Yellow Lion’ http://momotimetoread.blogspot.com/2019/11/dumazi-and-big-yellow-lion-by-valanga.html
3. ABC media interview with Valanga Khoza, author of ‘Dumazi and the Big Yellow Lion’, talks about his childhood in the Limpopo province of South Africa, 13 min https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/rn/podcast/2014/03/bay_20140307_1045.mp3
4. ReadPlus 12 Sept 2019 review by Fran Knight of ‘Dumazi and the Big Yellow Lion’ https://www.readplus.com.au/reviews/dumazi-and-the-big-yellow-lion-by-valanga-khoza
5. Reading Time 2 Sept 2019 review by Madeleine Crofts of ‘Dumazi and the Big Yellow Lion’ https://readingtime.com.au/dumazi-and-the-big-yellow-lion/
6. ‘The potential of sound picturebooks as multimodal narratives: Developing students’ multiliteracies in primary education’ by Agustin Reyes-Torres, Matilde Portales-Raga & Clara Torres-Mana, University of Valencia (Spain), 14 Oct 2021 https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/jbp/aila/2021/00000034/00000002/art00007?crawler=true&mimetype=application/pdf