Hidden deep in the savannah, the village of Zaranou has forgotten how to be brave. The drums are silent, the elders keep their secrets, and even the children no longer dare to dream. 🌙🌾 All of them – except Dalaniê and her little brother Balê. When the two children discover an old riddle about a stone dragon, they decide to do what the adults no longer dare to do: enter the Forest of Shadows and face whatever is waiting there. 🐉🌳 On their journey they meet a sly old monkey, a furious tarantula, a proud secretary bird, a deceitful caiman, a mysterious cobra, a giant turtle, a playful leopard… and, at the very end, the stone dragon himself. Each encounter is a trial, a question, a mirror. Little by little, Dalaniê and Balê learn to name their fears, choose their own path and discover the quiet strength that was inside them all along. 💛🌀 The Children and the Stone Dragon is a West African–inspired tale about courage, fear and the bonds that help us grow. 🌍 ✅ Perfect for shared reading with children aged 7–11 ✅ A powerful starting point to talk about emotions, fear and self-confidence 💬 ✅ Rich, poetic text and watercolour illustrations by French author Ekra 🎨 ✅ Includes an afterword for adults and a bestiary to deepen the conversation 📖 For families, teachers and anyone who believes that every child can be a hero – even when they tremble. ⭐