"As the water buffalo prepare for their yearly migration, a terrible accident leaves their leader unable to go on--and in his place, young Echo is chosen by the Great Spirit to lead his herd. But the older buffalo can't believe such a young animal has been chosen--and refuse to follow his lead, threatening the migration that is necessary for the Great Spirit to bring the rains to the land. Meanwhile, Stride the cheetah is keeping secrets from his...

"Water buffalo are ... Asian animals that live in India, Nepal, and other countries. Readers will find out where they can be found on a map, what water buffalo look like, what they eat, and a little about their young"--

"As water dwindles and food becomes scarce, Whisper the water buffalo must embrace a strength she never knew. Stride the cheetah embarks on a dangerous journey to bring rain to Bravelands, but the quest will lead him into the underworld of spirits, where his most fearsome enemy awaits. And Breathstealer the hyena faces a choice. The Great Devourer pours poison in her ear, promising strength and survival for her and her entire clan. But his plans would...

The author describes his close relationship to two water buffalo that were part of his family when he was growing up in a village in the central highlands of Vietnam.