African Animal Tales

On the Great Grassy African Plain Handsome Hog had a beautiful smooth coat and an extremely elegant tail. This is the story of how Handsome Hog lost his looks and became known as Warthog to the other animals. Mwenye Hadithi is a pen name and means a story-teller in Swahili.

When the animals discovere a cave full of furs and skins, they discarde their drab skins for glossy new ones. Greedy zebra, arrives late, after a delicious snack, only to find a few stripes of black cloth. He squeezes into them but Greedy Zebra iis too big for them and his new coat bursts open! The story of how all the animals chose their clothing, except for Greedy Zebra, who had to take the left-over pieces . . .

Folktales can be described as fictional prose narratives that are not confined to any particular culture. A folktale may appear in a slightly different form in a culture that is geographically nearby, or it may appear in a culture that is quite far removed from its original source. In The Zebra’s Stripes and other African Tales, Dianne Stewart has retold a collection of folk tales that have their origins all over Africa. Aimed at children and adults, these tales include legends such as ‘How Lion and Warthog became Enemies’ from the Lamba people of Togo, ‘How Giraffe Acquired his Long Neck’ from East Africa, ‘Why Hippopotamus Lives in the Water’ from Nigeria and ‘Monkey The Musician’ from South Africa. There are tales from the San, Zulu, Zambia, Congo and West Africa, et al. Each section is devoted to a type of animal, and concludes with some facts about the animal in question, adding educational to the stories. Proverbs from various cultures provide additional insight. Throughout, Kathy Pienaar’s beautiful illustrations show great attention to detail.

An African tale with a traditional feel, celebrating the speed and grace of the Cheetah - a brand-new title in this successful series of African folktales. Long ago, Cheetah was sandy-coloured and lay snoozing all day on the Great African Plain. There was no need to run to hunt because animals tripped over her. But one day there is a fire, and all the other animals are fleeing. This is the story of how Cheetah got her markings, and discovered that she can run as fast as the wind. The first book in the series - Greedy Zebra - was published in 1984 and the series has stayed in print ever since. Praise for the series: 'Their books are beautiful to look at and to feel, and perect for reading aloud.' School Librarian 'A delightful book.' Books For Keeps

This book is a collection of humorous stories meant to uplift thehuman spirit. Some of the stories are funny, capable of making the reader laugh, smile, and relax. These stories teach, instruct,educate, and elicit good moral conduct. The purpose of a story is not to give a scientific explanation to any issue. Instead, a story is to teach us about life. Stories bring happiness and consolation to thedownhearted and the brokenhearted. Stories are meant not only forchildren. Everybody listens to and tells stories. Grandparents tell their grandchildren stories. Parents tell their children stories. Storytellingis a means of social communication and education. “Insightful and fascinating! African Animal Tales provide a rare insight into the inner working of animals’ social life.” -Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Udoanwankwo-

Rhino runs everywhere. And as he runs, he leaves a wake of devastation in his path. The other animals are fed up of this rampant running and so Lion confronts him, telling him he must stop. Rhino refuses and challenges anyone to try and stop him. Out of all the animals it is little Tickbird who takes up his challenge, with interesting results!

Leopard is hungry, but he is also lazy. How will he catch his dinner? Leopard recruits the help of Baboon and Baby Baboon to trap Hare whom he plans to eat for his dinner. But Leopard is outwitted and Baby Baboon laughs and laughs. This is the story of how Leopard came to lie in wait in the trees and why you just might hear Baby Baboon laughing and laughing.

This is an exciting collection of true stories involving the antics of South Africa's best-loved wild animals and family pets. It is a combination of two classic children's best sellers: "South African Animals Adventures and "True African Animal Tales. Retold especially for young, beginning readers, the simple text tells of great animal adventures and escapades in the wilds of Africa. This enchanting book will introduce children to an awe-inspiring part of the world, and the people and animals that make it their hom$$$ Beautifully illustrated in color, "African Animal Tales is sure to capture the hearts and imagination of all young animal lovers, and will be a favourite of young readers for years to come.