Have you ever despaired of our world? What with us bigoted, polluting little monkeys waging war on anyone we deem too different? Well I do. To the point that numerous times in my life, I've thought, "I just can't have kids. I can't bring kids into a world this foul and ugly and cruel." It's not the case now, but I've certainly thought that.
What the heck does that have to do with anything? Well. In order to get myself to not think like that, I have to concentrate on hope. And on kids that are admirable and positive and bright.
Thus, this book:
If anything will restore your faith in humanity, I swear this book will. And if anything will inspire you as a parent (or someday parent, in my case) it is this book.
What is it about? Well, let the book jacket explain:
This book, written by 3 children in the middle of the Botswanan bush, is a amazing story and a thought-provoking experience.
You know it's good when frigging Richard Dawkins writes the foreword to your book:
It is part adventure story, part lion textbook, part diary, part sketchbook, part cookbook:
Written and illustrated exclusively by these kids, it is a book that brings Africa alive through the eyes of (sophisticated, yes) but still ultimately innocent, children
I cannot recommend it enough. I know it is out of print, but if you can find it secondhand, get it. Or check it out at the library. And if you're a teacher/parent/caretaker, do the world a big favor and pass it along to your kids.
That it's out of print made me buy a copy instantly - Thank you Amazon! - and put it on Tas's "someday" shelf. Boy's gonna have a lot of reading to do when he gets older - just sayin'
ReplyDeleteI think you'll both love it! I know what you mean, I have my theoretical child's library started already ... that Amazon ... both blessing and terrible, terrible temptation!
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