Liana Learns to Shine: A Lion Cub's Discovery of Self-Confidence

Liana is a young lion cub who loves to build and invent. From her jungle workbench, she creates colorful contraptions that bring joy to everyone around her - everyone except the one person whose approval she wants most: her father, the King of the Jungle.

When Papa is too busy with his royal duties to notice her work, Liana begins to wonder if what she builds even matters. But with the steady encouragement of her five friends - Ellie the Elephant, Max the Monkey, Gerry the Giraffe, Rico the Rhino, and Tom the Tiger - and the quiet wisdom of her grandmother, Liana discovers something more powerful than any invention she has ever built: the ability to believe in herself.

Liana Learns to Shine: A Lion Cub's Discovery of Self-Confidence is a warm, joyful picture book for children ages 6-8 that explores self-confidence, the power of inner validation, and what happens when the people we love don't always say what we need to hear. Through Liana's journey, young readers learn that true confidence doesn't come from applause or approval - it comes from knowing your own worth.

Featuring a young Black girl lion cub inventor as its protagonist, this book celebrates girls in STEM, the strength of friendship, and the healing that can happen when families finally have the conversations they've been afraid to have. A perfect read-aloud for families, classrooms, and counseling settings.

Includes themes of: self-confidence, resilience, intergenerational family patterns, emotional validation, girls in STEM, and friendship.

Accompanied by a free downloadable Grown-Ups Guide featuring age-grouped discussion questions, family activities, STEM resources, and a special note for fathers.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Aappeal, LLC
Published: 07/01/2026
ISBN: 9781960727169
Pages: 34
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.50h x 8.50w x 0.25d