I have just received a (requested) review copy of A Child’s Garden by Michael Foreman, published by Walker Books in 2009. Although not specifically set in Africa, this picture book could easily be set in Palestine, Egypt, Sudan or any dry place where a shattered community has been shut off behind a wire fence by […]
A generously-sized book containing five animal stories, gently linked, all set in a ‘township’ (probably near Cape Town). These stories are all told from the animals’ point of view and they are about a stray dog, a chicken factory, a racing pigeon, a dog buried alive and an injured carthorse. True to life and full
The story, told with bursts of song, concerns a Big City group in a gaudy truck which gets stuck in a “nowhere” of Africa. The locals not only provide help and hospitality but also show they are no mean musicians themselves. Then the fun starts, food is cooked, and it’s time for the concert. “Bushbaby,
Noko And The Kool Kats Read More »
A mystery in a seaside hotel is solved by Katya, a charming cat with a magic tail, helped by a one-legged seagull. Other animals and humans become involved. The nasty drunk ‘wine master’ who plans to turn cats into furry slippers, is found out. So the Goodies (mostly the cats) win. For mid-primary readers or
Katya’s Hairy Tales: The Bacon Chase Read More »
Plenty of animals inside and around a vet’s treatment rooms – from plump show-jumping ponies to a pregnant cat. Jamie’s family are in despair at the constant lack of money but manage to laugh at life. Primary readers can do so as well. Plenty of wild humour here, including explosions of super-charged ginger beer.
Jamie & the Horse Show Read More »
The sixth Dogtective epic takes boy and talking dog into Namibia where they get busy catching diamond smugglers. Weirdo characters include Constable Mongoose and German Shepherd Max and some baddies we have met before (in other stories). Trust and distrust and lots of by-the-way knowledge of diamonds and the Namib desert. Highly entertaining for upper
This is a prize-winning story from West Africa. Perhaps your library has a copy? Sosu is a crippled boy whose people live on a strip of land between the sea and the lagoon. Normal life changes, the wind blows, the sea enters their village. Sosu fights his way against the weather to the ceremonial drums
A picture-book story that is worth searching for. Mondi is a crippled boy who lives in Durban and earns money by paying on his recorder. But the day comes when the recorder is lost and Mondi has to make a terrible decision whether to buy a new one or give the money he has earned
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Playing the piano requires sensitive fingers – which describes exactly how this teenage book is written. It is delicate, full of ‘heart’, balanced. A genuine pleasure to read. Helen and her family live in a world we all know, with a constant shortage of money. Music offers an escape magic – but Madame Pandora, the
This story, told in prose with bursts of song, concerns a Big City group which gets stuck in a ‘nowhere’ of Africa, where the locals not only provide help and hospitality but also show they are no mean musicians themselves. The Kool Kats (Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Cheetah) go to the village and then the fun
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A delightful, shortish story about a musical township boy – but his Oupa’s saxophone gets stolen. Ringo manages to find it again, and proves its ownership by playing it. A good, rousing happy ending with lively colour pictures. Quite easy reading.
The Silver Saxophone Read More »
Because I adore the Arthur legend and it’s very funny!
The Sword in the Stone Read More »
I love this book for it’s sheer unexpected simplicity and dislike of brute force.
The Story of Ferdinand Read More »
The book(s) that I grew up on, still adore, and which when read aloud well can still enchant children today.
Winnie the Pooh + The House at Pooh Corner Read More »
What a sensible publication! A simple, engaging story incorporating a child’s nervousness at swimming and showing basic instruction in action. But this isn’t a “teach yourself” book – it’s a story about Annie and her doubts and fears, and her growing friendship with Lisa, a better swimmer. So both Lisa and swimming become Annie’s best
Annie Learns to Swim Read More »
Now you need to know a little about the different kinds of frogs. Out & about people should welcome this first South African children’s book specifically about frogs. 55 different species are described in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu. Each whole page entry covers description, size, distribution map, eggs, and a fascinating “habitat bar” giving
My First Book of Southern African Frogs Read More »
Ten magical stories from Africa. All part of the oral tradition of Africa, so all re-cycled, re-told in a crisp, lilting fashion and with Piet Grobler’s lively, lovely, characterful animals in bright crazy colours. (Notes at the back to explain origins.) Great to read aloud and afterwards linger on the detailed pictures. Also available in
