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Verdict: “GET IT” ; “An immersive and informative memoir of a girlhood in Samburu County.” -Kirkus Reviews

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The captivating story of an extraordinary girlhood

Monique N. Leparleen and Ann Hendricks collaborated to share the story of Monique’s childhood in Kenya’s remote Samburu tribe. Born to her clan’s first-educated man, PK Leparleen, she lived a lifestyle both ancient and modern, in the luminous western highlands. Tradition was something that enriched her, and that she had to fight desperately.

For those interested in memoir and autofiction, childhood stories, animals and nature, life in cultures before electricity, farm life, Kenya and the Maasai/Samburu, postcolonial settings, the conflict between ancient and modern, and those interested in the global lives of girls and women who want to choose their own futures. Ages 14+: mature themes. We hope to complete adapted stories for younger readers soon!

in an extraordinary place

Public Domain Pictures, CC0
Vishva Patel, Pexels free-to-use license
Weldon Kennedy, CC BY 2.0

with extraordinary people

Samburu Krijgers, Collectie Wereldmuseum (v/h Tropenmuseum), part of the National Museum of World Cultures, CC BY S-A 3.0 . Morans: warriors.
Leparleen family photo
Eric Hunsperger, CC BY 2.0

at an extraordinary time

Weldon Kennedy, CC BY 2.0 Lion prints and vehicle tread.

A time of great change: when modernity was just creeping its edge toward the heart of the ancient ways. Life suddenly became constant tension and negotiation between traditional expectations and modern possibilities: especially for women and girls.

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Recent Posts

  • Karibuni! Welcome to the Daughter of the Leopard blog

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    Ann Hendricks

    Above: children study English and Samburu (Maa) vocabulary. Image credit: “Samburu vocabulary“, Alaina Buzas, CC BY 2.0 license Here is where we will be posting updates on our books, more info about the people, animals, places, and time from Monique’s stories, and notable happenings in Kenya and Samburuland. This blog…

  • Our (super) Kirkus Review is live

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    Ann Hendricks

    Kirkus says about Daughter of the Leopard, “GET IT”. 😀 See their review here. “An immersive and informative memoir of a girlhood in Samburu County.” -Kirkus Reviews Full review: Leparleen and Hendricks document a life caught between cultures in this debut memoir, the first in a series. Leparleen is a…

  • Free to read through June 3: “The Bicycle”

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    Ann Hendricks

    In honor of US National Bike Month, through World Bicycle Day on June 3, we’ve made Chapter 15, “The Bicycle,” free to read online in image format. Enjoy!

  • First book reading/signing

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    Ann Hendricks

    Monique and I had our first reading/signing for our book on Monday April 21, 2025. It was on Mercer Island with around 18-19 attendees, and went just delightfully. Honestly, it was magic. I suspect some departed souls were behind setting it up! Months ago, one of my best friends, Divya,…