On Safari

With Clavis Music we embrace the power of reading and the power of listening. We explore a new world: that of books and the music. Will you explore it with us? Bobby and his little dog, Trix, are on safari. Bobby really wants to see a lion! He sees and hears lots of animals: a zebra, an elephant, a hippo . . . But he doesn't see a lion. Or does he? A book filled with wild animals and the sounds they make. For listeners ages 2 and up.

A New York Times bestseller, Safari is a magical journey for the whole family. Readers, as if on African safari, encounter eight wild animals that come alive using never-before-seen Photicular technology. Each full-color image is like a 3-D movie on the page, delivering a rich, fluid, immersive visual experience. The result is breathtaking. The cheetah bounds. The gazelle leaps. The African elephant snaps its ears. The gorilla munches the leaves off a branch. It’s mesmerizing, as visually immediate as a National Geographic or Animal Planet special. Accompanying the images is Safari, the guide: It begins with an evocative journal of a safari along the Mara River in Kenya and interweaves the history of safaris. Then for each animal there is a lively, informative essay and an at-a-glance list of important facts. It’s the romance of being on safari—and the thrill of seeing the animals in motion— in a book unlike any other.

This updated edition introduces the basics of Java and everything necessary to get up to speed on the new 1.4 version quickly. CD contains the Java 2 SDK for Windows, Linux and Solaris.

“An amazing real-life perspective on an African safari that has been delightfully shared. Funny and witty. Footsteps well worth following.” –Philip Coetzee, South Africa, Advanced Nature Guide, author of Birds for Beginners. Four friends, all big-city dwellers, embark on their first African safari. An internationally published travel writer and her husband, an award-winning travel photographer, are joined by their life-long friends on a journey to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Previously, their exploration of over 60 countries took them to big cities, architectural masterpieces, and world-class museums around the globe. But this trip is different. Following laborious preparation, they find themselves face to face with the wild animals of the African savannah on their first of several African safari adventures. Traveling in a safari vehicle and on foot around Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls opens a new and exciting world of the animal kingdom to this group of friends. They crisscross the bush and meet African wildlife in its natural habitat. Which predators, grass eaters, branch nibblers, and birds of prey did they find? What did the African safari animals do in the presence of people? How did each traveler behave in unexpected and dangerous situations? How does it feel to be only a few feet away from a pride of lions devouring their kill, a herd of suspicious elephants, an intimidating Cape buffalo, or an unpredictable rhinoceros? In an easy-to-read, conversational style, the author, Alex Shaland, delivers a fair mix of wildlife photography, animal and bird factual data, and practical information. Shaland shares his experiences as a first-time safari explorer and sprinkles the narrative with a good dose of humor and personal stories. Starting out with the preparation for the trip, he talks about the options of safari game reserves, lodges, and vehicles that he and his wife considered and adds a touch of historical information related to the places they chose to visit. Chapters discussing individual animals and birds combine insightful information illustrated by an ample number of author’s photographs with his personal observations. If a trip to Africa is in your plans, this entertaining and informative book, jam-packed with photos of animals and birds, will help you make the first step on the way to your dream. If you like African stories and are interested in wildlife, nature, and animal protection, this story will enrich your knowledge of the animal kingdom. If you already read some of the other African safari books, this one will be a nice addition to your collection. At the very least, it is just fun to read.

The Two River Times says "... The book ́s vibrant descriptions of his hunting excursions express a true excitement and passion for the sport." Tracker Outdoors calls it "... a wonderfully written and inspiring book about a family on safari in South Africa... This finely crafted writing will surely inspire families, hunters and nature lovers to explore the African bush." African Hunter magazine proclaims " ...this is a good story... a story worth reading. A First World family ́s initiation into the African bush, and their appreciation of not only the wildlife, but the (country ́s) unique culture." “Take Me On Safari: A Family Affair” is a compelling and one-of-a-kind chronicle of a husband, wife, their teenage son, young daughter, and “grandmom” on safari in rural South Africa. This is the unforgettable memoir of the Mauro family, swept from their daily routines in suburbia U.S.A. and dropped into the center of adventure, drama and suspense in a remote corner of the Dark Continent. The experience strengthened family bonds, exposed them to the wonders of an ancient land and laid witness the timeless rituals of wildlife. This uniquely written account also includes the unedited thoughts of family members as taken from their diaries. The book is more than an sequential accounting of a family’s journeys in the Northern Province of South Africa. It is living testimony that a safari can be a catalyst that strengthens family bonds and supports wholesome values. According to the author “a safari is something much less than an arena for machismo but rather a voyage for the soul”. He continues, “... because of a need to share this truth I just thought writing a book was the best way to get the message out”. Those that have enlisted the event know that a safari brings modern man within proximity to reasonably glimpse the life of primitive man. It is a way to transport oneself as far as possible from the information driven and over-regulated new age in which we live to the stark, uninhibited and impulsive ways of ever-present wildlife. It can move us from a reality defined by the pillars of logic to a place where instinct governs survival and has done so since the dawn of time. The book gives numerous examples of the safari testing the mettle of one’s character. It lays bare thoughts and emotions ranging from fatigue, boredom, disappointment, fear and sadness to understanding, euphoria, pride, awe, excitement and surprise – all of which were called upon randomly and at a moments notice. Also highlighted is the family’s respect, appreciation and concern for wildlife and their desire for it to be available for future generations. The book demonstrates that a safari is more than an education about the wilderness. As described by Mr. Mauro, “In a way a safari is a religious experience and it can be as simple as living a humble life of faith or as complex to comprehend as all that is holy”. He continues, “It would give me great pleasure if my modest attempt at writing would inspire families, hunters, and observers to visit Africa and to take an interest in its future. In my opinion the continent is an archaeological testimony to the ways of time immemorial and an important display of the intricate patterns and interdependencies of our world’s ecology”. Although it is not a “how to” book “Take Me on Safari” can be a resource for anyone looking to take his or her family on safari – or even go it alone for that matter.

The story of Cocoa was written about my real-life dog and my grandchildren and their adventures together. Come along and enjoy the adventures with us. We would love to have you!