For upper primary readers, the unusual story of a boy who finds that he can ‘mind talk’ with the animals in a game park. So he is set on the search for the Pachyderm Tree of ancient elephant legend. A moving, exciting story.
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This picture book presents the true story of a giraffe given by the Pasha of Egypt to King Charles X of France. The young giraffe was transported by boat down the Nile and across the sea to Marseilles, and then walked all the way to Paris. She arrived in 1827 after a 2½ year journey
Oom Kallas is a farm worker with much experience of the veldt. He speaks Afrikaans – and for those not bilingual, his words are translated in the wide margins of this attractive storybook. The whole situation becomes far more exciting and frightening when a fire sweeps through the Cape mountains. Thanks to gallant fire-fighters and
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How Crab Lost his Head: and other animal tales from Africa Nineteen animal folktales clearly printed with colour illustrations, alongside a page of assorted information, factual and traditional. The computer-graphic aided pictures by David du Plessis are simple but often dramatic. The style is sometimes a bit heavily worded and old-fashioned, but that may be
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A moving dog story set around an Animal Rescue Centre in modern South Africa. A dog without a family, a girl with a family who has lost a dog. We know they are going to come together but many worries get in the way. A good animal story with biting reality for upper primary readers.
By Archbishop Desmond Tutu & Douglas Carlton Abrams The story of a black boy from a township who suffers “a mean word” shouted by white boys. With advice from a wise adult, he learns to live with it and even to forgive. Illustrated on large pages with glowing, realistic pictures full of atmosphere and detail
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An attractive read-aloud picture book about a girl nervous at being left alone at home, and even more so when a big grey wolf comes scratching at the door. Solution: make friends with the wolf! A happy parable about facing up to fear. Adventurously illustrated, with plenty of soothing white space. A welcome and successful
In South Africa (Jo’burg particularly), a Monkey’s Wedding happens when it’s raining and the sun is shining. Reviva pictures this in minute embroidery and appliqué: like a medieval etching, every line on every page has been placed with love and care. We see the Jo’burg landscape and park, with animals bringing presents, a veiled bride
In a luscious, vibrant picture book, young listeners can hear of how Maggie, a beautifully-dressed doll, Mango, a careful bear, and Scottie, a Scottie with shades, all go off for a day in “Deepest Africa”. There, with plenty of sound words to liven the reading, they encounter much well-illustrated wildlife and the King of a
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This is based on a genuine South African tree near the Higgley Piggeldy Farmyard in Kommetjie, jazzed up beautifully by an artist who “loves bright colours and happy pictures, and fresh sea air”. The happiest picture book I have met for a long time, with rich detailed pictures and a story that says Enjoy life
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This picture book presents the true story of a giraffe given by the Pasha of Egypt to King Charles X of France. The young giraffe was transported by boat down the Nile and across the sea to Marseilles, and then walked all the way to Paris. She arrived in 1827 after a 2½ year journey
The bright-coloured bus carrying the Kool Kats (Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Cheetah) gets stuck in the middle of Africa, so the local animals come to help. Food is cooked, the truck is hauled out, and then the fun starts. It’s time for the concert. “Bushbaby, shake that calabash-thing!” A huge amusing picture book, full of African
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A warm, moving story of a 15-yr-old boy and his small sister with the rare excitement of a specially-made dress at the end. The setting, shown in colourful photographic detail, is of near poverty life in a coastal Mozambican village with historical links to Vasco da Gama. The family has only one light-bulb which must
Mauro and Adelaide: their lives in Quelimane, Mozambique Read More »
A picture book accurate observation of our countryside and which is illustrated with careful detail. A simple story of a boy who has no time to play because after school he has to help his caring Granny. Then prizes are offered for the best home-made wire car. Lovely to look at and easy enough for
Jeff is a bored boy who bounces on his bed and George is a very small pronking springbok (That’s what springboks do.) Scattered around Jeff’s room are the materials needed to create the weather-proof Totem Pole inside which boy and springbok can brave the winter weather. And to cheer up all South Africans, Jeff has
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All these incredible creatures once lived somewhere in Africa. Superbly colourful and dramatic pictures, as well as helpful explanations (e.g. that these “terrible lizards” weren’t actually lizards at all). The small meat-eater Nqwebasaurus (discovered in the Eastern Cape) is the only dinosaur with a Xhosa name. Introductory photos of excavations, suggested fun projects. What a
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Set in the Cederberg mountains where, in a time-jump, a group of modern children find themselves alongside a clan of /Xam people (part of those often called Bushmen or San). They experience the simplicity of living in harmony with the natural world, as well as learning much about the significance of rock art. The reader
Imagine that your mum’s damaged car is in the hands of a crooked repair-man who won’t give it back. So Ben and his friend Tarif decide to get it back! But they meet more crooks than one. Set in the streets of modern Kenilworth and Claremont, this is a real story about real people which
Dianne Stewart is a tireless collector of tales and these 27 stories come from all over Africa and are retold in light fashion which retains the African quality. This is added to in the “Additional Facts for Birders” boxes which include African proverbs. Richard Mackintosh has had great fun with the pictures, entering into the
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A delightful collection of new stories by such skilled writers as Wendy Hartmann, Chris van Wyk, Maryanne Bester, Carole Bloch; and such illustrators as Joan Rankin, Paddy Bouma, Shayle Bester, a strong set of pictures from Val Myburgh, and a gorgeous cover pic by Rico. The stories are arranged with easier reading first, and these
Storytime: 10 South African Stories for Children Read More »
