African Animal Stories

In the heart of the Serengeti, where golden grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, an extraordinary adventure unfolds. Meet Asha, a devoted ostrich mother, and her son Toto, whose lives are about to change forever. When drought threatens their homeland, Asha makes the courageous decision to leave the safety of their flock in search of greener pastures. Together, mother and son embark on an epic journey across treacherous terrains, facing dangers they never imagined. From narrow escapes with hungry predators to daring ravine crossings, Asha and Toto's bond is tested at every turn. ...

Sue Tidwell lived in awe of Africa’s extraordinary wildlife. After years spent appreciating the animals in her imagination, the tenderhearted American hated the idea of joining her husband on a big game hunting safari. And getting attacked by blood-sucking tsetse flies the moment she stepped off the plane gave no hint of the mind-blowing change of perspective in her future. With her initial animosity turning into curiosity as they breathlessly tracked dangerous beasts, Sue formed a surprising bond with their young female government-assigned game scout.

Françoise Malby-Anthony is the owner of a game reserve in South Africa with a remarkable family of elephants whose adventures have touched hearts around the world. The herd’s feisty matriarch Frankie knows who’s in charge at Thula Thula, and it’s not Francoise. But when Frankie becomes ill, and the authorities threaten to remove or cull some of the herd if the reserve doesn’t expand, Françoise is in a race against time to save her beloved elephants. The joys and challenges of a life dedicated to conservation are vividly described in The Elephants of Thula Thula.

In the series of linked stories at the heart of Filthy Animals, set among young creatives in the American Midwest, a young man treads delicate emotional waters as he navigates a series of sexually fraught encounters with two dancers in an open relationship, forcing him to weigh his vulnerabilities against his loneliness.

Just as Martine is settling into life on the wildlife game reserve, she is whisked away on a school trip. Her class is going on an ocean voyage to witness the Sardine Run, a spectacular natural phenomenon, off the coast of South Africa. What begins as an exciting adventure quickly turns perilous when a storm blows up and Martine and her classmates are thrown overboard into shark-infested waters. They are saved by a pod of dolphins, only to end up marooned on a deserted island.

In the enthralling pages of Jeffrey Ulin's captivating novel, a tale of unexpected inheritances, shattered wealth, and a desperate quest for riches unfolds. Meet Richard Keeton, a renowned big game hunter whose life takes an unforeseen turn when he finds himself next in line to inherit a prestigious British Lordship. However, his elation is short-lived as he realizes that his family's fortune lies in ruins, leaving him unable to embrace the opulent lifestyle that should accompany his pending title. Driven by a relentless desire to restore his wealth, Richard stumbles upon a perilous scheme ...

In the heart of the Serengeti, a young hippopotamus named Kijani discovers an ancient secret that threatens the delicate balance of his homeland. As drought grips the savanna and mysterious metal objects appear, Kijani must embark on a perilous journey to save his community and the entire ecosystem. Joined by Zuri, a swift gazelle, and Tano, a wise old tortoise, Kijani faces the Trials of the Guardian – challenges that will test his courage, wisdom, and heart. But dark forces are at work, led by the cunning Nyota, who seeks to disrupt the natural order for her own gain. As Kijani and his ...

In the Early settler days, the British did more than go to war. Many found the local folklore and beliefs fascinating, and collected them together. This is one of the first explorations of South African folk tales.

"I am Hated" is a luminous story with unexpected twists that explores security, love, family, loss and the realization that life holds no permanence and guarantees, especially the bitterness that comes with finally discovering the truth about those we love who are not there when we need them the most. In this story shedding light on the relationship between man and his best friend, the distraught Billy recounts his story to the Grand Master about an affluent life lived and about betrayal at the hands of his parents. "I am Hated" is the seventh account of the short story collection entitled ...

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Africa with "Wildlife Wonders: Short Stories from Africa." This enchanting compilation weaves together 10 delightful short stories, each featuring a unique cast of characters, including the curious aye aye, the playful fennec fox, the majestic elephant, the swift cheetah, and many more fascinating creatures.

The Compton Cowboys are a group who grew up in the city where Kendrick Lamar and Serena Williams were raised; a city portrayed in the media as ground zero for gang violence. But in 1988, with the creation of the Compton Junior Posse, a youth program set on a horse ranch in the middle of Compton, these men and women found a safe space.

You might know that African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth, but there’s so much more to learn about these tusked creatures. Listen to find out why the grandmother is in charge of an elephant family, and why big ears help elephants cool down! Meet a baby elephant as it takes its first steps, and discover how to tell the difference between an African elephant and an Asian elephant. The book also looks at the conservation challenges these iconic animals face due to climate change and ivory poaching.

An adventurous African tale about how the Lion became King of the Jungle.

One by one, the other birds fly into her tree, wanting to talk or to play, but the Go-Away bird just shakes her head and sends them all away. But then the dangerous Get-You bird comes along, and she soon realises that she might need some friends after all. The Go-Away Bird is a brilliant rhyming story from Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo, and the award-winning Catherine Rayner.

A young man treads delicate emotional waters as he navigates a series of sexually fraught encounters with two dancers in an open relationship, forcing him to weigh his vulnerabilities against his loneliness. In other stories, a young woman battles with the cancers draining her body and her family, menacing undercurrents among a group of teenagers explode in violence on a winter night, a little girl tears through a house like a tornado, driving her babysitter to the brink and couples feel out the jagged edges of connection, comfort and cruelty.

Mathlo the Meerkat had very good eyes. His friends called him Matt for short. Matt could spot danger from far away. Some said he was the best guard in the whole clan. Therefore, he was given a lot of guard duties. He never fell asleep on duty. He never left his post. He was an excellent guard. Matt knew he wasn't supposed to leave his guard duty that day. But his replacement never showed and as the sun began to dip down, his impatience got the better of him.

Mma Ramotswe reads the foreword she has written to these tales, then goes on to narrate them all herself, passing them on to us verbally as did her father's aunt to her. From animal fables to mysterious forces residing in the landscape, this collection demonstrates the wealth and variety of African folk tales and the particular magic of Africa's spiritual roots.

Raymond is a rhino from Zimbabwe who really struggles to make friends. He tries to hang out with the aardvarks, but they stay up too late for him. He tries to make friends with the zebras, but that doesn't work out because he doesn't have any fancy stripes. He even tries to impress the baboons, but that doesn't go well, either.