A noted conservationist describes her nearly thirty years living and working in Africa, describing the various animals with which she has worked and providing a firsthand view of the plight of Africa’s wild animals.
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
Wink! The Ninja Who Wanted to Be Noticed
The happiest day of Wink’s life was when he was accepted to the Summer Moon School for Young Ninjas. He is sure that he will be a great ninja. Silence is the first lesson and everyone is very very silent except for Wink. Stealth is the second lesson and everyone is very very stealthy except for Wink. Finally, Wink decides that he will be silent and stealthy, but he realizes that no one can realize that he is a great ninja. Eventually, he finds that his acrobatic skills are a perfect match to be a circus performer.
Looking For Miza
In a magical place called the Congo, in the beautiful forests and jungles of Virunga National Park, lives a young female mountain gorilla named Miza. She was just like any other baby gorilla, riding on her mother’s back, playing, taking naps. Then, one day, when Miza and her mother were out searching for food, Miza’s mother disappeared, leaving her baby alone and frightened. Miza’s father, a fierce silverback named Kabirizi and the leader of Virunga’s largest family of mountain gorillas, set out to find Miza. The Congolese rangers, who dedicate their lives to protecting the gorillas, were searching for Miza, too. Everyone was worried about her. Then something amazing happened: Kabirizi found Miza and brought her back to live with her family. Virunga is home to roughly 380 mountain gorillas, just over half of the planet’s remaining mountain gorilla population. Miza and other mountain gorillas face an especially uncertain future. They are an endangered species, disappearing at an alarming speed. Without our help they could vanish completely.
The Ugly Duckling
Set in the wilds of Africa, Caldecott Honor winner Rachel Isadora’s stunning interpretation of the beloved Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale portrays African animals and landscapes with beautiful detail. As the ugly duckling searches for a place where he can fit in, Isadora’s vibrant collages capture the beauty in everything from glistening feathers to shimmering sunsets.
Erika-San
Allen Say creates a beautiful story about an American girl who seeks adventure in Japan and discovers more than she could have imagined. In her grandmother’s house there is one Japanese print of a small house with lighted windows. Even as a small girl, Erika loved that picture. It will pull her through childhood, across vast oceans and modern cities, then into towns—older, quieter places—she has only ever dreamed about. But Erika cannot truly know what she will find there, among the rocky seacoasts, the rice paddies, the circle of mountains, and the class of children.
Damon, Pythias, and the Test of Friendship
Outside of ancient Syracuse on the island of Sicily, there lived a cruel ruler named Dionysius. He trusted no one. Nearby lived two best friends, Damon and Pythias. One day Pythias spoke out against Dionysius, who quickly ordered his execution, to take place in one month. Pythias wanted to return to his elderly parents to say goodbye and arrange for their care. Dionysius laughed, not trusting that Pythias would return. Damon stood up and offered to take Pythias’ place until he returned. The ruler agreed only after stipulating that if Pythias did not come back, Damon would die instead. When the execution day arrived, Pythias had not returned, but Damon still believed that his friend would be there if he could. Just in time, Pythias ran in, offering up his own life for his friend’s.
Getting There
This book depicts children and adults engaging in many of these modes of transportation in diverse cultural settings.
How Robin Saved Spring
If Lady Winter has her way, the world will stay covered in blankets of snowy white and icy blue. Sister Spring will slumber forever and the winter will never end. Can Lady Winter really keep spring from coming or is there something the animals might do to help? Led by harbinger Robin, the animals are determined to wake Sister Spring, but what price will they each have to pay? Through beautiful words and pictures, this enchanting tale about the battle of the seasons highlights one special bird who saves much more than just the day.
Little Sister And The Month Brothers (Mc Classic Fiction)
A new edition of a classic Slavic fairytale featuring a charming, but very determined, heroine. Includes beautifully evocative illustrations by an award-winning artist. Reissue.
African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways
The acrostic is a popular poetic form in which a name or phrase can be found by reading certain letters in the poem downward. Contains color photographs of various African animals, each with a lighthearted poem that contains acrostics.