Our Books
A small collection of stories published by Addis Leaf Press, exploring imagination, wisdom, and cultural storytelling. Stories that carry memory, place, and imagination.
The clever mouse and a cat, Intelligence beats physical strength
Also in Swedish: Den smarta musen och katten: Intelligens slår fysisk styrka
Ages: 2–6
Available in: Paperback & eBook | English & Swedish
The clever mouse and a cat
A curious little mouse and a hungry cat meet face to face. The cat is sure he can catch her — but the clever mouse begins to talk of her many relatives, promising a much bigger feast. Blinded by greed, the cat listens... and the mouse slips right away.
A charming, playful tale that reminds children — and grown-ups alike — that quick thinking can be stronger than sharp claws, and that greed rarely leads where we hope.
Kebe and His Greedy Friend
🇸🇪 Also in Swedish: Kebe och hans girige vän
Ages: 6–9
Available in: Paperback & eBook | English & Swedish
Kebe and His Greedy Friend
During a long, hard drought, Kebe — a kind and humble farmer — sets off toward the town in search of work. His friend Abbe joins the journey but soon breaks their promise to share, leaving Kebe to travel alone.
Along the way, Kebe is guided by mysterious fairies who gift him magical plants. With them, he heals the governor's blind daughter, marries her, and earns respect and prosperity. When jealous Abbe tries to steal the same secret, his greed leads only to shame.
A timeless tale about kindness, honesty, and how a generous heart is rewarded in ways greed never can be.
Available in: Paperback & eBook | English & Swedish
Together We Stand
A Tale of Friendship, Trickery, and Standing Together — An Ethiopian Folktale Retold for Children
🇸🇪 Swedish edition coming soon: Enade står vi oslagbara, splittrade faller vi
Ages: 4–8
Together We Stand
Deep in the golden savanna of Ethiopia live three brave oxen — one white as milk, one black as night, and one red as the setting sun. Tired of the noisy village, they set off together into the great green forest to build a new life among the wild animals.
But the forest hides many dangers. A hungry lion, unable to defeat the oxen while they stand united, turns to a clever fox for help. With soft whispers and cunning lies, the fox begins to plant doubt in the hearts of the three friends — one by one — until their unbreakable bond begins to crack.
One by one, the friends fall into the fox's trap… until only the brave red ox remains to face the lion alone. Will he stand his ground? And will the lesson of friendship come too late?
A moving Ethiopian folktale about unity, trust, and the strength we lose when we let others divide us.
Available in: Paperback & eBook | English
Swedish: Coming soon
Kuku: The Brave Hen Who Told the Truth
🇸🇪 Also in Swedish: Kuku: Den modiga hönan som berättade sanningen
Ages: 5–8
Available in: Paperback & eBook | English & Swedish
Kuku, The Brave Hen Who Told the Truth
On Manda's farm, the chickens believed his gentle stories — that the eggs and old hens simply moved on to new adventures. But brave little Kuku begins to sense something isn't right. When she uncovers the truth, the flock turns against her, and she's bullied for speaking out.
Yet Kuku isn't alone. The brave rooster Raka stands by her side, defends her, and drives the bullies away. In the end, Kuku's honesty and courage are celebrated — and she becomes the new leader of the flock.
A powerful, uplifting story about honesty, standing up to bullying, and the friends who stand beside us when we speak the truth.
Lili: The Little Chicken with a Big Dream
🇸🇪 Swedish edition coming soon: Lili, Den lilla kycklingen med en stor dröm
Ages: 6–9
Available in: Paperback & eBook | English
Lili: The Little Chicken with a Big Dream
Set in a bright, sunlit African courtyard, this is the story of Lili — a little chicken with a very big dream. She wants to crow like the roosters!
When her friends giggle at her first attempts, Lili feels discouraged. But with gentle encouragement from her mother, Tina, she refuses to give up. Every day, she practices — and slowly, her crowing grows stronger.
Swedish: Coming soon
Issa's Brave Apology
🇸🇪 Swedish edition coming soon: Issas modiga ursäkt
👶 Ages: 5–9
Available in: Paperback, English
Issa's Brave Apology
One quiet Sunday morning, Issa is watching a nature show with his family when something surprising happens — his dad becomes upset by a big dog being unkind to a smaller one on TV. His parents' gentle words spark something deep inside Issa's heart. Suddenly, he remembers what he did to his classmate Alex just two days ago… and how it made Alex feel.
On Monday morning, Issa faces the hardest walk of his life — the walk toward Alex's desk to say two very small, but very brave words.
With warm illustrations and a tender, age-appropriate story, Issa's Brave Apology helps children explore empathy, accountability, and the courage it takes to say "I'm sorry."
A gentle reminder that even small hearts can be big and brave.
🇸🇪 Swedish Editions on the Way
Three of our newest stories are being prepared in Swedish and will join the collection soon:
Enade står vi oslagbara, splittrade faller vi
Lili, Den lilla kycklingen med en stor dröm
Issas modiga ursäkt
Follow along to be the first to know when they're available!
eBook: Coming soon
Swedish: Coming soon
Publication Note
Earlier editions of Kuku and Butchi were published more than a decade ago by a different publisher and are now out of print. The current edition of Kuku is newly published by Addis Leaf Press. A revised edition of Butchi will be released in the near future.