''Kpo the Leopard'' (original French title: ''Kpo la panthère'') is an

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

n wildlife story about a female

leopard The leopard (''Panthera pardus'') is one of the five extant species in the genus '' Panthera'', a member of the cat family, Felidae. It occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, in some parts of Western and Central Asia, Southern Russia, a ...

cub written by the

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

children's writer

René Guillot René Paul Guillot (24 January 1900 – 26 March 1969) was a French writer of children's books who lived, worked and travelled in French West Africa. For his lasting contribution as a children's writer Guillot received the biennial Hans C ...

René Guillot, ''Kpo the Leopard'' illustrated by

Joan Kiddell-Monroe Joan Kiddell-Monroe (1908–1972) was a British writer and illustrator of children's books, particularly notable for her Folklore, folk-tale illustrations. Biography Joan Kiddell-Monroe was born on August 9, 1908, in Clacton-on-Sea, England. She ...

, translated by Gwen Marsh (OUP, Oxford Children's Library 1955 ~ 160pp.) (1900–1969), who lived, worked and travelled for much of his life in

French Africa French Africa includes all the historic holdings of France on the African continent. Françafrique French North Africa * Egypt (1798-1801) * French Algeria (1830–1962) * Protectorate of Tunisia (1881–1956) * Protectorate in Morocco (1 ...

.Eilis Dillon (editor), ''The Hamish Hamilton Book of Wise Animals'', illustrated by Bernard Brett (Hamish Hamilton, London, 1975. ) Set initially in the African jungle, the story moves, after Kpo and her mother escape from a forest fire, to new hunting-grounds in the African Plain, and tells the story of Kpo's adventures as she matures into a full-grown leopard. ''Kpo the Leopard'' was published in 1955 and, twenty years later, was included in ''The Hamish Hamilton Book of Wise Animals'', together with pieces featuring "fabulous animals" such as

Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe (; Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is wide ...

's ''

The Raven "The Raven" is a narrative poem by American writer Edgar Allan Poe. First published in January 1845, the poem is often noted for its musicality, stylized language, and supernatural atmosphere. It tells of a distraught lover who is paid a myste ...

'',

E. Nesbit Edith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland; 15 August 1858 – 4 May 1924) was an English writer and poet, who published her books for children as E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on more than 60 such books. She was also a political activist an ...

's ''

Psammead ''Five Children and It'' is a children's novel by English author E. Nesbit. It was originally published in 1902 in the ''Strand Magazine'' under the general title ''The Psammead, or the Gifts'', with a segment appearing each month from April t ...

'', T. S. Eliot's ''

Mr. Mistoffelees Mr. Mistoffelees is a character in T. S. Eliot's 1939 poetry book ''Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats'' and its 1981 musical adaptation, Andrew Lloyd Webber's '' Cats''. Mistoffelees is a young black-and-white tuxedo cat with magical powers ...

'', and ''Rollicum Bitem the Fox'' by

John Masefield John Edward Masefield (; 1 June 1878 – 12 May 1967) was an English poet and writer, and Poet Laureate from 1930 until 1967. Among his best known works are the children's novels ''The Midnight Folk'' and ''The Box of Delights'', and the poem ...

References

{{Portal , Children's literature 1955 French novels French children's novels Children's novels about cats Fictional leopards Oxford University Press books 1955 children's books Children's books set in Africa