I’m not fussy when it comes to choosing books
for my one-year-old. But I am discerning. (Which, my husband says, is a
euphemism for fussy.)
You see,
so many of the kiddie books we’re given have pretty pictures, but rhymes that
don’t quite scan. Or missing apostrophes (Its fun at the sea-side.) Or a warped
sense of gender roles (He likes to work. She likes to cook.)
And this
is why I’m extremely careful when buying books for our daughter. I check them
for spelling, grammar, rhymes that flow properly and messages that – while they
needn’t be hugely meaningful – aren’t socially worrisome.
Philippa-Alys
Browne’s AFRICAN ANIMALS ABC is a
magnificent book, and one I can’t wait to read to my daughter. Or, if we’re
being accurate, have her ‘read’ to me.
Its
pictures are authentic and beautiful African-style illustrations (or perhaps
lino-cuts) of African animals – some common, some less so – with an appropriate
verb:
Bushbaby blinks
Dassie drinks
Impala grazes
Quail scuttles
Yellow-billed kite soars in the
sky
The words
chosen are lovely – some are easy, like ‘Crocodile snaps’; others are a bit
more challenging, like ‘Porcupine quivers’. And, at the back, there’s a useful blurb
on each of the pictured animals for when she’s a bit older or starts asking
questions:
The umhutu or mosquito is an insect. The common household mosquito can
be found throughout Africa.
Nyala are antelopes that can be
found in Southern African. They live and graze in forests and when they are
scared, they make a barking sound.
Also, it’s
a sturdy board book, which means my little monster can’t rip it to pieces.
In the 13
months of her life, our daughter has been to the bush twice, with a third trip
coming up in a few months. So, to have a book with which she can grow
accustomed to some of the interesting animals (her word: ‘amals’) we see there,
is a great gift.
AFRICAN ANIMALS ABC is also a
wonderful gift for foreigners with small children.
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