For a child facing a challenge that seems too big, this clever tale shows how even small creatures can outwit a mighty predator. It celebrates quick thinking and standing your ground.
A parent might reach for this book when their child feels small and powerless in the face of a big challenge, like an intimidating peer or a new, overwhelming situation. This story is an African folktale about a cooperative partnership between the clever Honeyguide bird and the strong Honey Badger. Their sweet reward is threatened when a huge, lazy lion decides to take their honey. While the badger is frightened, the tiny honeyguide uses its brain to outwit the mighty predator. For children ages 3 to 7, this book is a beautiful and gentle introduction to themes of bravery, resilience, and the power of intelligence over brute force. Jan Brett's stunning illustrations add a layer of delight and discovery, making it a perfect choice to spark conversations about standing up for yourself.
The central conflict involves a predator (lion) acting as a bully. This is handled metaphorically. The threat is of losing a reward, not of physical harm. There is no violence depicted. The resolution is entirely hopeful and empowering for the small protagonist. The approach is secular and rooted in a natural-world folktale style.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 4 to 6 year old who is grappling with feeling physically small or intimidated. This could be a child dealing with a bossy older sibling, a playground dynamic where a bigger kid takes over, or nervousness about starting a new school. It’s for the child who needs to see that their unique strengths, like being quick-witted, are powerful tools.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. No specific preparation is needed. However, parents should be ready to point out the detailed side-panel illustrations, a signature of Jan Brett's work. These panels tell a secondary story and foreshadow events, enriching the reading experience and rewarding close looking. A parent has just seen their child back down from a situation, giving up a toy to a more assertive child, or heard them say something like, "He's bigger than me, I can't win." The child is feeling helpless and equates size with power.
Age Experience
A 3 or 4 year old will delight in the animal characters, the repetitive call of "Honey... Honey...", and the vibrant, detailed art. They will grasp the basic good vs. bad, small vs. big dynamic. A 6 or 7 year old will more deeply appreciate the strategy of the honeyguide's trick, understand the theme of using intelligence over force, and connect the story to their own social challenges. They will also be able to fully decode the narrative in the side panels.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many generic "David vs. Goliath" stories, this one is rooted in the fascinating, real-life symbiosis between two animal species. This grounding in natural science gives the folktale a unique flavor. Jan Brett's distinctive, intricate artwork and her use of side panels to show parallel action provide a rich, multi-layered visual narrative that encourages repeated viewings and builds observational skills.
Read plot summary
This story, set on the African savanna, follows the real-life symbiotic relationship between a honeyguide bird and a honey badger. The bird finds a hive and leads the badger to it. The badger breaks it open, and they share the honey. Their partnership is threatened when a large, imposing lion attempts to steal their prize. Frightened, the badger hides, but the tiny honeyguide bravely decides to trick the lion. It leads the lion on a long, frustrating chase, not to honey, but to a muddy waterhole, saving the day through cleverness.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Honeyguide is so much smaller than Lion. What was Honeyguide's special power that helped it win?
2
Badger was scared of the lion and wanted to run away. Why do you think Honeyguide decided to stay and face the lion instead?
3
Look at the pictures in the borders of the pages. What other story are they telling? How do they help you guess what might happen next?
4
At the end, Honeyguide leads the lion to a muddy waterhole instead of to honey. What do you think the lion learned after being tricked?
