An eight-year-old girl describes her year living in the southern African country of Swaziland.
Learning to Swim in Swaziland: A Child’s-Eye View of a Southern African Country
Picture Book
A Promise To The Sun
Explains why bats only come out of their caves at night.
The Lion Is No Longer King
The King of Beasts loses his crown. This African folktale begins a long time ago, when the lion declares himself king of beasts. The entire animal population of the savanna pays daily respects to a roaring tyrant who works them ragged and allows them no rest.His Majesty’s fearless bodyguard, the mongoose, protects the king from snakes, until one day the mongoose decides instead to play in the babbling stream. Outraged, the king sends two birds, a buffalo and a turtle to fetch him for the purpose of sever punishment. The mongoose explains that all of the animals would be happier if they could play and swim as they wish. The king grows weak from nightmares and finally scurries across the savanna to see the mongoose. The lion arrives just in time to witness the coronation of the new king, the mongoose, who plans to share the pleasures of the savanna with all of the celebrating animals.
Trouble
A retelling of a traditional Eritrean tale in which a young goatherd disobeys his father by inadvertently trading away the board game that was supposed to keep him out of trouble.
Uncommon Traveler: Mary Kingsley In Africa
In 1870, an eight-year-old girl named Mary Kingsley lived in a small house on a lonely lane outside London, England. Her mother was bedridden and her father was rarely home. Mary did not go to school. She served as housekeeper, handyman, nursemaid, and servant, for years. In 1893 Mary traveled to West Africa and proceeded to embark on an astonishing journey of discovery. In her high-necked blouse, long skirt, and Victorian boots, she endured the brutal heat and hardships of Africa, and thrived
Just Another Ordinary Day
Amanda’s ordinary day has her riding to school with a Tyrannosaurus rex, talking after lunch with an alien, sailing a pirate ship at the school library, and riding home on an elephant.
Spirit of Hope
When the Fairweather family almost gives up hope of finding a place to live, the youngest child gives them an idea for a great location.
The Mysterious Hubbub
A sailing ship comes across the edge of the Frozen Sea, where a fierce battle had once been fought, and its screams and sounds which had been frozen in the cold air to begin to melt.
The Greatest Treasure
In a traditional Chinese tale retold by the creator of One Grain of Rice, a poor farmer receives a treasure of gold and discovers the true value of simple pleasures.
Drums Of Noto Hanto
The people in a small village in ancient Japan manage to drive off the forces of a powerful warlord using only their ingenuity and the many different village drums.