The Books
The Song of the Sunbird
This book follows a curious little Annabeth who finds an injured little sunbird in a park that was once a lovely forest. What does Annabeth do to help this threatened species? Did deforestation lead to the bird’s fate and will she be able to fly again?
The Horn of Africa
This book follows the story of Hope, the rhino calf who is off exploring with his mother when they are suddenly attacked by poachers. It highlights the importance of the rhino’s horn for its survival. Is there hope to save the white rhino from extinction?
A Feather’s Tale
This book follows the feather’s journey through the African savannah. The feather symbolizes the commonality of all the elements of nature: existence. Where will the feather end up?
A Dassie’s Tale
This book follows a dassie’s journey when it becomes separated from his family. The dassie is indigenous to the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Where will the dassie end up?
A Galjoen’s Tale
This book follow an old woman who is wearing a shawl draped around her head and holding a large butcher knife. She has a dilemma: to swiftly come down and chop off the galjoen’s head to feed her hungry family or to throw the fish back into the water. What will she do?
The Enchanted Forest of Mystery Island
This book follows three friends, in search of magical butterflies. On their way, they come across many adventures and meet with fantastical creatures. Eventually the prize they sought is won! We are left to our own imagination as to what happens next. Does the magic turn into reality?
Eagle Owl’s Plastic Plight
Compassionate and young, Rory finds himself in a world hard hit by the Coronavirus Covid-19 Pandemic. With the instated global lockdown, Rory has time to reflect and is presented with a cry from Nature: An Eagle Owl in distress who is affected by human activity in general. 17 year old author Ismail Gani, cleverly consoles the reader that the virus may just be a cry out to humankind to re-evaluate their lives and change their ways. Is global warming and pollution responsible for the bird’s fate? Can the world heal with humankind locked up in their homes? Will Rory find a solution to his mother’s change in income and the economic impact on his family? Will human beings in general overcome their fears of losing profits if changing their ways is the only solution. Will we all learn to fly again? A heartwarming, hopeful and contemporary story relevant to today’s times. A book that will inspire young and old to think, be aware and be responsible. It is time to accept change, heal the world and make it a better place. The change will be to responsibly continue living with the simple bare necessities of life. This temporary lockdown has shown us that it is possible! Mother Nature’s recipes of recovery will follow naturally and the sun will come out tomorrow. Khadija Ismail, Crescent Montessori School, Polokwane, South Africa
The Lion of Soweto
The Lion of Soweto And The Spelling Bee tells the story of Joseph, a young boy from a township who rises above his humble surroundings and overcomes challenges to eventually achieve success – winning The National Spelling Bee.