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My African Bedtime Rhymes
Brettell Hone
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Price: $15.95
Printed Casebound | 32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-620-40992-6 |
Summary
"My African Bedtime Rhymes" is a collection of entertaining African animal rhymes, beautifully illustrated by well-known children's book illustrator, Ginger Nielson. The rhymes are designed to introduce a selection of familiar and less familiar African creatures to children by enriching the descriptions of the animals habitats and typical behaviour in a manner that is both educational and enchanting. Importantly, the language of the rhymes is deliberatley challenging and should encourage the enhancement of vocabulary in the children whilst at the same time entertaining the older readers, such as parents or grand-parents.
About the Author
Brettell Hone was born in Malawi and educated in Zimbabwe. A lawyer (advocate) by training, Brettell has worked with words in corporate and training environments in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa, where he has always had the good fortune to be in close proximity to the African bushveld. "My African Bedtime Rhymes" is the first of his African animal rhymes. Brettell has also published a play, "Philemon", which won The 2004 Drama Circle Playwriting Contest.
Review
 OUR RATING: 5 hearts
This beautiful collection of African rhymes provides wonderful insight into the lives of some of Africa's well loved wildlife- elephants, hippos, owls, fish, crocodiles, and even a fly. With four unique stories to choose from, readers can actually choose to read this book cover to cover in one sitting or opt for one story at a time. The text is lulling and pleasant to listen read; however, Hone uses many big words that I think younger readers/listeners are simply not going to understand or know. I don't doubt for a second that they'll enjoy the stories; but I do think they might not be able to take it all in at once.
Based on that, I tend to think My African Bedtime Rhymes might be a bit heavy for the younger readers/listeners. Yet as a parent I can see this being a great opportunity to help kids extend their vocabulary skills and open their eyes to a world they're not able to see and appreciate first hand on a daily basis. And truly, I have to say though that coupled with Nielson's amazingly exquisite artwork, which makes you want to crawl right in to the pages, it won't matter if the younger kids in the group don't fully connect with the stories right off the bat. They'll be drawn in by the rhyme and illustrations. As they then hear/read the story again and again I think they'll begin to fully appreciate the deeper subtext and factual aspects.
In short, you can't go wrong with this captivating collection. My African Bedtime Rhymes is a book that your child will continue to enjoy even as they grow older.
— Rebekah Crain,
Ready Set Read Reviews
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