Charlie’s adventures in South Africa by Jacqueline De Rose-Ahern and illustrated by Sophie Norsa.
Have you ever wanted to visit South Africa but the thought of the long flight with small children was too much?
You will either be satisfied just reading this book or will be more inspired to head on over there after reading the adventures young Charlie has with his family in South Africa.
As you follow Charlie’s journey you will learn a little of the local lingo, meet the animals that live on the savannah, walk through the city, taste the local produce, dance to some music and of course help Charlie to solve the riddles in order to find hidden treasure!
After Charlie visits a new place in South Africa, he receives a clue which he needs to hold onto in order to solve the final riddle.
The characters talk about a map which they use to move around South Africa and I would recommend pulling out a map so children can see where they might be travelling to as they visit different places.
There is an added bonus in this story – a postcard at the back! Children love reading postcards and this one is blank, leaving space for children to write their own thoughts about this mini holiday!
Charlie’s adventures in South Africa is part of series of travel books for children (which I haven’t’ read, but would be interested in seeing as it is a different way to ignite interest in other countries and its people.) In Jacqueline’s other books he visits Australia, Hawaii and England.
Teacher’s will also love this book as it looks at a country in a different way – through the people and the eyes of a child. It will encourage an interest in maps and perhaps ignite some postcard sending!
What can you do in the classroom?
– We looked at where South Africa was on the world map, then where is was in Africa.
– As I read the book I showed matching images from South Africa – to make connections.
– As I read I asked the children to listen to and look for clues.
– After we read the children in Kindergarten drew what they thought Charlie saw on his adventure. You can see below what they have drawn and written.
Join my facebook group – Growing Globally and socially conscious children – a closed group where we share ideas on how we can talk about big issues with young children through simple activities.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sociallyconsciouschildren/about/
And join in on the Book Blog tour running this week!
