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Maretha Botha
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Friends: An African Adventure Fauna Park Tales Kindle Edition

by Maretha Botha (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
"Friends: An African Adventure" is the second book of the series called "Fauna Park Tales" based on "African Adventures of Flame, Family, Furry and Feathered Friends", a GOLD MEDAL WINNER on Authonomy, supported by HarperCollins. The following is an excerpt from the HarperCollins Children's Editor Review:

"A vivid and engaging world of animal characters . . . the use of cleverly animalised verbs is very creative – Dolly Cat's 'whispurr'. The exploration of interrelationships between animals is a very successful topic in the children's literature genre, and you have created some great personalities – the stubborn goat 'Plump-Grump' and the conceited 'His Handsomeness, King Rat' being some of my favourites . . ."

Life takes strange turns for Flame, a puppy born in the African desert. Adopted by a free-range cattle farmer, the pup faces the challenge of proving himself to more than one of his new family.

As Flame grows into a strong and brave dog, he finds friendship with many loyal furry and feathered friends who teach him to keep The Promise – protecting the helpless ones in Fauna Park, a secret sanctuary within the boundaries of the farm. This ordinary desert dog becomes a hero when, to keep his promise, he saves a zebra foal from a fire.

These stories are perfect to be read before bedtime to younger children. Preteens will enjoy escaping into an imaginary world where many bush creatures always have hope that everything ends well when the sun goes down.
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  1. Reading age
    6 - 12 years
  2. Book 2 of 4
    Fauna Park Tales
  3. Print length
    123 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    2 - 6
  6. Accessibility
    Learn more
  7. Publication date
    May 21, 2015
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 4 books in this series.

Editorial Reviews

Review

HarperCollins Children's Editor Review 2013: "Chapter divisions of your narrative works well - you can imagine it being very enjoyable 'chapter by chapter' bed-time reading . . . Your use of an animal narrator is, on the whole, very good. You don't force it, but rather subtly introduce the reader to the idea the narrator is not human ('I perch in the highest tree...'). Use of cleverly animalised verbs is very creative - Dolly cat's 'whispurr'. The exploration of interrelationships between animals is a very successful topic in the children's literature genre. You have created some great personalities - the stubborn goat 'Plump-Grump' and your use of African names, Bibi and Katse. The naming stories of Flame and RatX are very engaging.Overall you have a very promising basis for a vivid and engaging world of animal characters."

From the Author

It has been a true labour of love to create this parallel world - Fauna Park, many furry and feathered friends' secret sanc'tree - within the boundaries of a free-range cattle farm in the Molodi valley. Here they promise to look out for one another whatever circumstances they have, because not everyone is a friend, as Flame soon discovers.  How he and his friends deal with disappointment, opposition, not breaking promises and being loyal are some of the stories told by an elusive bird who perches in the highest acacia just outside the kitchen door.  From this spot, he sees and hears everything which happens in the vicinity.When a sudden tragedy befalls the good humans as well as the furry and feathered friends, Hope the narrator, finally reveals who he really is and tells his life story.Even though there is a definite plot running throughout all five books in this series, some of the individual stories are perfect to be read before bedtime to younger children, who will love the illustrations about their favourite characters - whether friends or foes. Preteens will enjoy escaping into an imaginary world where many bush creatures always have hope that everything ends well when the sun goes down. 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00Y2WS82E
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ LionheART Publishing House
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 21, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.3 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 123 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 6
  • Book 2 of 4 ‏ : ‎ Fauna Park Tales
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 6 - 12 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

About the author

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Maretha Botha

Maretha Botha

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Author/Illustrator Maretha Botha admits to being addicted to a good espresso and a fruit&nut chocolate bar. Having a barbecue, gardening and bird watching are favourite past-times for her and her family, especially during the short Lancashire summers.

She has published an award-winning, illustrated series of animal and bird adventure books (1-4) for Middle Grade Readers called, “Fauna Park Tales”, available as eBooks and black&white illustrated paperbacks.

One of her latest releases is a short story, “Saving The Evergreens: Garden Secrets” - a fantasy for those who still let their imagination take flight in the undergrowth.

As part of her book club’s challenge she also published two short stories called, “Lost Time” and “Lost And Found” - part of a W.I.P. series, “Family Ties”.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
13 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's story, with one review highlighting its charming tale set in a South African village. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its educational value, with one customer noting how it weaves history into the narrative. Additionally, customers appreciate the book's style, with one review mentioning its unique illustrations.

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Story qualityEducationStyle
6 customers mention "Story quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, with one customer describing it as a charming tale of a South African village, while another notes how history is woven into the narrative.

"...I love how the story is told from the point of view of the animals...." Read more

"...In this charming tale of a South African village, the fauna (animals) join the villagers in telling a story of destruction and recovery on a nature..." Read more

"...African facts and history are weaved into the stories, and I learned many new things about the animals and their environment." Read more

"...It’s an exotic tale set in an African desert and told through a bird’s perspective, Hope...." Read more

4 customers mention "Education"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the educational value of the book, with one review noting how it is told through a bird's perspective, while another mentions how it shares wisdom through the character Flame.

"...Young readers and listeners will not only learn valuable lessons about the importance of preserving nature, they'll discover the importance that..." Read more

"...from the animals’ point of view, and including their interpretation of human words and concepts...." Read more

"...It’s an exotic tale set in an African desert and told through a bird’s perspective, Hope...." Read more

"...She shares her wisdom through Flame (the dog) and Hope (the owl) and other desert wildlife...." Read more

3 customers mention "Style"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's style, with one mentioning its unique illustrations.

"The author has developed her own signature style with this African fable narrated from the animals’ point of view, and including their..." Read more

"...The artistry is beautiful and adds substantially to the story. I'm looking forward to reading this with my grandchildren." Read more

"Charming and Educational!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Yvi MC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another fantastic Fauna Park story!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Friends is the second book of the Fauna Park Tales. I enjoyed the first book, and this book was just as great. I love how the story is told from the point of view of the animals. The story focuses on several of the animals, and all of the animals have their own personalities. In book one, you fall in love with Flame, the dog, and Hope, the eagle owl. This story is told from Hope's point of view. It focuses on his past life and how he came to live with Flame, all while Flame is trying to recover from an injury.

    I love how this author writes this in such a way that children can enjoy the books on their own. Adults can also get just as caught up in the story. The author also creates Humanlang, which is what the animals hear when humans speak. She also uses Faunalang, the language of the farm, and other local words from that area, and she includes a little glossary in the footnotes, which is a great way to help kids learn how to find vital information in the footnotes of books. :-)

    This is a great book (and series) for young and not-so-young! I definitely recommend it. :-)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bette A. Stevens
    4.0 out of 5 stars Charming and Educational!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    FRIENDS is the first children's book I've read in An African Adventure Series written and illustrated by author Maretha Botha. In this charming tale of a South African village, the fauna (animals) join the villagers in telling a story of destruction and recovery on a nature preserve after poachers wreak havoc. Young readers and listeners will not only learn valuable lessons about the importance of preserving nature, they'll discover the importance that friendship plays through the book's story and illustrations. ~Bette A. Stevens, author of award-winning picture book Amazing Matilda (Children's Literature): The Tale of A Monarch Butterfly AMAZING MATILDA and other books for children and adults
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  • Gracie Bradford, Author
    5.0 out of 5 stars Maretha Botha Does It Again - Beautiful Story!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    FRIENDS – An appropriate title to introduce Flame’s furry and feathered friends of the forest. Flame is a desert dog that every child and even grandparents would like to call their own. The voice of Hope, the eagle owl, adds spice to the book as Hope carries the reader through an adventure with many furry and feathered friends. Pictures dispersed throughout the book enhances the storyline. Librarians, children would love to have this book read to them during your book reading time, and teachers could discover a gold mine of teachable moments from this book. The glossary in the back is a nice touch. I read book three before reading book one. I would recommend reading in order although each story can stand alone and still captivate the reader.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Wendy Scott Multi-Award Winning Author
    4.0 out of 5 stars African fable
    Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The author has developed her own signature style with this African fable narrated from the animals’ point of view, and including their interpretation of human words and concepts. The illustrations are also in a unique style, and I was captivated by the soulful eyes of the subjects. African facts and history are weaved into the stories, and I learned many new things about the animals and their environment.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • D.L. Finn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another Fauna Park Tale I'll enjoy reading with my grand-kids!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    “Friends: An African Adventure” is the second book in the Fauna Park Tale series I have bought for my grand-kids. It’s an exotic tale set in an African desert and told through a bird’s perspective, Hope. The characters are fully developed and engaging, while the artwork provided by Ms. Botha is heartfelt. Flame the dog gives the reader an example of protecting those who can’t protect themselves-- and what friendship and bravery are. He keeps his promise to be a hero. Another Fauna Park Tale I will enjoy reading with my grand-kids!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Gwendolyn Plano
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful introduction to Africa through its wildlife
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Author Maretha Botha has a unique way to reach children about the important lessons of life. She shares her wisdom through Flame (the dog) and Hope (the owl) and other desert wildlife. Reader and listener alike are introduced to Africa via scenes of friendship and care, manifested in the animals and birds. The artistry is beautiful and adds substantially to the story. I'm looking forward to reading this with my grandchildren.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Sunshine Somerville
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very cool book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2015
    Format: Kindle
    I don't usually review children's books but received this from the author in exchange for an honest review.

    This book is really cool. The author clearly put a lot of personal knowledge about a foreign (to me) place, and the flavor of the book is cool and interesting. The use of animals as characters I think makes the story accessible for children even if they might not be familiar with Africa, and it might just spark an interest in learning more.

    The artwork is simple, but in a nice way that fits with the tone of the story. As a kid, I know I would have tried to copy the pictures and draw them myself, so that's another fun route kids could go with this book.

    I'd certainly recommend this for anyone trying to get kids interested in Africa. It's also just a nice story with a good message for kids.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amanda George
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another wowser IMNSHO!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2016
    Format: Kindle
    Another fantastic book that I've loved reading today and can't wait to read the final book tomorrow! I even rejected lunch in favour of this book which is a rarity for me and I only agreed to having tea when I finished reading it. The author should be very proud of herself!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amanda George
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another wowser IMNSHO!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Another fantastic book that I've loved reading today and can't wait to read the final book tomorrow! I even rejected lunch in favour of this book which is a rarity for me and I only agreed to having tea when I finished reading it. The author should be very proud of herself!
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  • Dee Harrison
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 29, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great sequel by an excellent writer
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