Description:
What, exactly, is a fish? An exciting day awaits Gugu Giraffe as the elephant, the crocodile, the hippopotamus, the cormorant, and a tigerfish each explain scientific differences to the fishing giraffe.
Brief description: Studied Fine Arts at Crawford International College in Pretoria, South Africa. Fine Artist, Illustrator, cover designer. A visual artist since 2001 and as an art instructor, I enjoy teaching others to skillfully create visual art themselves. I obtained a higher certification in Christian Counselling (graduated from South African Theological Seminary in 2021). Since 2021, I own a ministry offering art education with counseling to orphans and children with special needs in our community.
Review Quotes: "I love this myth with watery facts rippling through the river creatures' interactions.The story allows for a gentle mix of fun interspersed with natural observations as a bonus. Kids will find it interesting, either to read or to be read to them." - Bernadette Ontong, South Africa
*****
"Gugu Giraffe is a fantastic story, well-illustrated, a simply lovely book you just want to keep on reading to see what's happening next.Easy to read for tweens, it allows your imagination to flow. Gugu the curious and funny giraffe makes this fable fun and keeps readers hanging on for what he is really up to on his fishing expedition. I recommend it mainly because it's full of surprises, funny, and stirs up curiosity in readers." - Ursala Pietersen, South Africa
****
D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Gugu Giraffe Goes Fishing is a giraffe story that holds natural history insights about Botswana's wildlife. It tells of Gugu, a very tall giraffe whose neck is so long, he "...saw Botswana weaver birds in an acacia tree eye-to-eye."
Auralee Arkinsly's vivid descriptions are enhanced by the fine ink and watercolors of Yolanda Van Heerden. Together, they capture Gugu's environment and the natural world of Botswana. Thus, the story will serve dual purposes as an introduction to Botswana and as the story of a kind giraffe whose actions consider others' needs around him:
"One perky bird sang out, 'Gugu Giraffe, please eat around the other side of the sweet thorn tree so that we can nest in peace.' Gugu kindly meandered around the tree while his first stomach ruminated on leaves. Stomach parts two, three, and four churned on blossoms and seeds already eaten."
Gugu receives lessons on understanding, tolerance, and kindness from elephants and others:
Gugu asked, "Why do you rip the tree out of the ground, Mama Chidinma? Aww, why must you destroy it?"
"Chidinma used her elephant trunk to feel Gugu's neck. 'Halloo, Gugu! There you are. Why do you point out my weakness? I tip trees to test my might. Unlike you, I am not tall enough to reach the branches...'"
The animals of the Okavango Delta come to life and kids receive a powerful blend of geography, natural history, and curious discoveries as Gugu absorbs valuable lessons about the wild world around him.
Libraries, educators, and young people seeking multifaceted picture books that embrace the drama of fiction and natural history will relish Gugu Giraffe Goes Fishing for its winning story of evolving friendships and understanding wild things.
Donovan Literary Review