for rights, agents, & publishers

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

“10/10 …. a vivid, captivating glimpse of Maasai girlhood unfolding against an atmosphere of rapid sociocultural change.” -The BookLife Prize

Finalist, 2025 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award

Quarter-finalist, 2025 BookLife Prize

Check out the paperback

regular format

large print

Check out the hardcover

regular format

large print

Check out the e-book

request at your local or school library
read kirkus review
read booklife prize critic’s report

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, 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.

mailing list →
about the books
about the samburu
monique and ann
blog
for rights, agents, & publishers
fan feedback, corrections, etc

Recent Posts

  • Karibuni! Welcome to the Daughter of the Leopard blog

    •

    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…

  • Quarterfinalist at the BookLifePrize

    •

    Ann Hendricks

    We’re thrilled that Daughter of the Leopard, with its fabulous 10/10 Critic’s Report, was awarded Quarterfinalist in the 2025 BookLife Prize, memoir/autobiography category. Only two other 10/10s surpassed us. Delightful, and an honor.

  • Foreword INDIES finalist!

    •

    Ann Hendricks

    Our second preliminary book contest result is in: finalist in the multicultural category in the Foreword INDIES. We’re again delighted. There are clearly many excellent submissions at this contest, and it’s an honor to be included. Further judging results will be announced in June.

  • Perfect 10/10 BookLife Prize Critic’s Report!

    •

    Ann Hendricks

    We entered Daughter of the Leopard in four different book contests that were open to indie/small press books. The first result we’ve gotten back is here: the Critic’s Report from the BookLife Prize Nonfiction (memoir) competition. What a fabulous Critic’s Report! We received a 10/10 in every category of analysis,…