Probably the most provocative, deep book about the one African family's tragic experience with slavery that I've read....in picture book form. Rips apart any form of glossing over the kidnapping of people from their homes to serve the greed of America in that time period. The elements of nature played a role in seeking Mufasa after he had been taken, and the legend of the African blacksmiths and how they spoke to wind, fire, earth, and water takes us into the culture that comforted them and brought them news from far away. Another must for middle grade classrooms. Excellent for literature circles.