When Amina was a little girl, she didn't dream of being queen—she dreamed of being a fierce warrior. The only problem was that everyone overlooked her. Despite the doubt of the people around her, she mastered every weapon in the armory, like bows and arrows, spears, and swords. Her skills on the battlefield made her native Zaria prosperous, and in the mid-sixteenth century, she became a queen.

Through Amina's retelling of her life, Amina of Zaria: The Warrior Queen inspires li'l queens everywhere, especially Black and Brown girls, to believe that when they fight for what they believe in, they can uplift a nation.

Dara Beevas is an award-winning author, publisher, and speaker with a passion for storytelling. Born in the Washington, DC area, she earned her master's degree in publishing from George Washington University. Through her books, articles, and presentations, she explores the importance of #diversereads, the power of storytelling, and mission-oriented publishing. As a mentor of more than 400 authors and publisher of more than 300 books, she pushes executives, storytellers, innovators, and change agents to publish mindfully. Amina of Zaria: The Warrior Queen is the first in the Li'l Queens series. She's been featured in such publications as the NY Daily News, the Washington Post, Mpls. St. Paul Magazine, and the Guardian. Dara lives in Minneapolis with her husband Tomme, and with their two children, Genesis and Derek.