The Herd Boy

by Niki Daly

Malusi is a herd boy, which means that he must look after his grandfather's sheep and goat and keep them from being harmed on the grazing slopes. It is a big job for a small boy, but it is one that Malusi does well. Even when a hungry baboon attacks the herd, Malusi isn't afraid. But he also dreams of someday being more than a herd boy. In this simple but poignant story, the author explores the idea that many great men came from humble beginnings. Ultimately, readers are encouraged to consider what it is that gives someone the strength and integrity of a great leader.

Genres: Picture Books, Africa, Cultural, Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Nicholas "Niki" Daly, South African illustrator and children's book author.

http://www.childlit.org.za/ndaly.html

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adventurous day in the life of a young shepherd who wants to grow up to be president of South Africa. Wonderfully told and illustrated, inspiring but not oppressively didactic. Glossary and author's note included. Pre-read before sharing with young children, because not all of us are ready to think of baboons as so predatory.

[David Cousins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows a young boy in Africa though the journey to solve a problem that his village faced. In a drought-ridden Malawi, a village is struggling to survive. One boy takes it upon himself to find a solution. Kamkwamba brilliantly shows how one young boy through his own intuition and curiosity was able to spark a new life into his struggling village. He never lets fear or intimidation get the best of him as he strives to achieve his goals.
I recommend this book to elementary or lower middle school students. This is a non-fiction book about how one young boy brought electricity to his town.
This book would be a fantastic place to start a project on innovation or agriculture. I would discuss the purpose of windmills and water pumps for agriculture along with how electricity can be harnessed with the wind.
I find this to be a Wow book because the young boy, through his own intuition and desire to learn is able to engineer a windmill from scraps in order to provide electricity and a sustainable water source for his village.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great men often come from small beginnings.

[Macie Estes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a young boy in South Africa living as a herder and dreaming of becoming president, The Herd Boy is rich in culture and inspiration. It focuses on the idea that "many great leaders have come from humble beginnings", and many words written in Afrikaans and Xhosa are included in the story as well, with a glossary at the end of the book. This would be an excellent classroom read to promote diversity in culture, language, and life around the world.

[Sarah Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This realistic fiction picture book from 2012 is about a young boy in rural South Africa who cares for and protects his grandfather's flock of sheep and goats and dreams of having his own dog and one day becoming president.
This book would be a great addition to a classroom library to expose students to life in different areas of the world, from a child's eyes.

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm actually a little waffling on this one. The story is compelling and the illustrations are beautiful, and the notion that you can be anything you want is worthwhile. But somehow it almost makes it seem like being a shepherd is something to aspire to get away from, rather than appreciated for itself. Maybe I'm overthinking it.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Africa #leadership #caring lovely book set in Africa of a day in the life of two herd-boys with big ambitions. Excellent incorporation of Xhosa and Afrikaans words and aspects of (South) African tribal culture and food. And as with every book by Niki Daly - wonderful illustrations

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Malusi keeps watch over his grandfather's sheep. A hard job for a young boy. He must keep them safe from many things. He must fight boredom. When a hungry baboon attacks his flock, he must defend them as best he can.

[Brianna Wheelock]

This book allows students to see a strong worker and can see what it means to be a leader. By reading this students can do a follow up activity of what they want to be when they grow up or a big dream they have in life.

[Lea Kielsholm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fin og kort sydafrikansk børnebog om en hyrdedreng, der drømmer stort. Inspireret af Nelson Mandelas barndom. Jeg synes pointen i bogen er god, men jeg forestiller mig, at den går lidt over hovedet på børn. Men fin historie alligevel.

[Vicky Goad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story in this book. I was surprised by who the book was about.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Niki Daly's artwork. Especially in this one, where he used the margins to tell a little more of the story on each page.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great leaders can come from humble beginnings. Encourage young people, don’t laugh at their dreams.

[Sarah Limb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story warmed my heart and brought out a determination to work hard and achieve my goals!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Window into the life of a South African boy who watches his grandfather's herd

[Dorthe Svendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastisk rundhistorie. Mange begreper jeg kan lære meg, eller kjenne igjen. Vakkert fortalt som alle kan ta inn og begynne å tenke gode tanker fra.

[Zulu Aunty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it in isiZulu for my students. It was okay. There were some typos(only a few) but overall it was not too bad. My students enjoyed the storyline.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story and message

[Danni Nemes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Motivational, tells a student to keep dreaming big. Interesting story, however would not use for a read aloud but would like to have in my library for students to experience.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malusi looks after his grandfather’s sheep during the day, taking them grazing and also protecting them from predators. Malusi has to be able to work in the heat of the sun, keep the sheep away from the ravine, and keep close watch for snakes and baboons. His friend Lungisa is also a shepherd but he has his own dog, something Malusi wishes for. He also dreams of becoming something more than a herd boy, maybe even president!

Daly weaves in African details to create a setting and society in this picture book. The details are small but vibrant such as the food, the animals out in the wild, the landscape, and language. She uses a few words and phrases of throughout the book, just enough to add some African spices to the tale. Using poetic language, she draws the strong character and large dreams of Malusi clearly. He is a young hero with large responsibilities and a willingness to lead.

Daly’s art embraces the landscape of Africa with ravines and hills framing the page, eagles soaring in the sky, and distinctive plants in the foreground. There are full color images but also sepia toned ones that show small touches of the story as well. The large format of the full-color images make this book good for sharing with a group.

Thanks to the beauty and depth of Daly’s writing, this picture book trends a little older than many. It will also lead to interesting discussions with slightly older children. Appropriate for ages 6-8.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malusi may be young, but he takes his responsibilities as a herd boy seriously. Each day he watches over his grandfather's sheep and goats. Not only must he keep them from wandering off, but he must protect them from other animals. While he goes about his day, he nurtures his dreams of someday being much more than a herd boy. While his older friend Lungisa has aspirations to one day play football, Malusi thinks he might want to be president of his country. A chance encounter with an elderly man and a note from the author remind readers that the characteristics that lead to greatness are formed during childhood and adolescence and that leading a nation could also be similar in some ways to being a herd boy. Does someone flinch from a challenge or give in to bullying or peer pressure? Many leaders start out with humble beginnings and rise to greatness. There is a glossary with Xhosa words and Afrikaans vocabulary that lend authenticity to the text, and the detailed, sun-drenched illustrations are filled with action and fierceness when Malusi is protecting the flock and innocent ambition when he is dreaming of his own possible future. This is an excellent picture book for sharing with youngsters who doubt themselves or their ability to achieve their goals. Clearly, part of someone becomes as an adult can be seen in his/her actions as a youth.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Niki Daly, a South African writer, tells the story of a brave and humble young shepherd who dreams of one day becoming president. It is a book about dreams. The herd boy, Malusi, lives modestly and close to the earth, working each day in the field with his animals, sometimes defending his flock against dangerous marauding baboons--though he does get in a little time for football with his friend Lungisa, who wants to be a professional footballer.

Both boys' dreams might seem too big for their current stations in life, but Daly shows young readers that even those from humble origins can achieve great things. One day, a fancy drives through the village. Its occupant--who looks a heck of a lot like Nelson Mandela--chats briefly with the two boys, and instead of pooh-poohing their dreams, offers encouragement.

Of course, it will probably take an adult to explain to a young reader just who that old man in the car was. There's also a lot of unique cultural detail in here, including Afrikaans and Xhosa language (with an attendant glossary in the back). Ultimately, this is a timeless teaching story.

The illustrations are earthy, bold, colorful, and full of the movement of children and animals and sky. The hills Malusi walks are rendered beautifully.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! A beautiful written story, taking the reader on a deep journey into Africa. Malusi is a small boy with a huge responsibility of keeping his grandfather's sheep and goats safe. There's lots of action in the beginning with seeing an eagle, avoiding ravines and finding baboons along the overhanging cliff face. As the story builds, we learn that Lungisa who is Malusi's older friend with his own dog, laughs at Malusi's dream to be president, while his sister Zolika is supportive. Later on, a hurting lamb is rescued from a baboon by the little dog, Koko and the small herd boy. A warm, inspirational ending (I won't tell) and the morals that come across in the story like friendship, bravery, leadership and love are found here. I like the pace of the story because it makes for a smooth read. The amount of research is impressive with a glossary in the end notes, plus the author's warm illustrations add further appeal to the book. I really do think a lot of people, of all ages would like this story.

5/5 stars. Highly recommend. Sensational!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in South Africa, this is the story of a boy, Malusi, whose job it is to herd his grandfather's sheep -- a big job for a small boy. He has a friend who has a dog and plays football (soccer) and stick fights with him. Malusi longs to have a dog to help him protect the sheep from danger, especially the baboons that he is usually able to scare off. South African words are interspersed in the text (and there is a glossary with pronunciation guide at the end). Wonderful sense of place -- depicted in the houses, landscape, fabrics, clothing. On the way home one day, carrying an injured sheep, he and his friend see a fancy car on the road. The car stops, and the man in it asks the boys what they want to be when they grow up. Malusi is too shy to respond, though his friend tells him he wants to be star football player, and Malusi wants to be president. The man (Nelson Mandela) encourages Malusi with the words "a boy who looks after his herd will make a very fine leader." By far my favorite of Niki Daly's work.

[Jean Coughlin]

1. This book reminded me of another text I read called Nannabah’s Friend by Mary Perrine. Like Malusi, Nannabah’s job was to look after her grandparent’s sheep. They were both young children. She used a stick to guide them and a can of little rocks to shake in case a sheep got off the trail, she could shake the can and make them think a snake was nearby. Malusi used a whistle and a handful of stones.
2. Questions:
1. List two things that Malusi used to keep his sheep and goats in order and safe.
2. Describe what happened to one of the lambs on Malusi’s watch.
3. Think of the situation that occurred with the lamb in the story. What would you have done?
4. What evidence can you find that Malusi’s actions would make him a good leader?
5. Do you think Malusi would make a good President when he grows up? Why or why not?
6. How would you change the way the story ends?
3. (2012, September 1). Kirkus Reviews. http://titlewave.com/search?SID=d389e...

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malusi, a young boy who takes care of his grandfather's sheep and goats, takes us along for a day in his life. As the story moves along, you learn that for a little boy, Malusi has big dreams for his life. He wants to become president, and we are reminded that great leaders often come from humble beginnings. With beautiful illustrations, as well as a few words from South African languages, this makes for a perfect text to use with middle grade students. The author's note at the end, as well as the glossary, lend themselves to extension activities. I loved what Daly said, "Though our childhoods may appear accidental-- some luckier than others--they so often seem custom-made for the adult we become." An all-around great story!

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, beautiful picture book telling the story of a herd boy in South Africa. The large spreads allow for lots of detail and sweeping scenes of the outdoors.You really get a sense of their daily life rhythms, food, relationships, etc. The challenges of keeping a herd safe from baboons, canyons, etc. are well portrayed. Malusi's dream of becoming president and his friend's dream of playing professional soccer (football) help the reader to think beyond their present experiences.

Nelson Mandela visits their village and encourages Malusi's dream at the end of the book, and an author's note points out that Mandela started as a herd boy, as did David from the Bible.

This book would be a great read-aloud for a family or classroom.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 2013 USBBY OIB for grades K-2 has interesting vocabulary like Mielie pap,kraal, and donga. Most of the illustrations take up the right hand page and 1/2 of the left page with the text neatly on a generous left side bar. At the top or bottom, or both parts of the left side text bar there are also small cutout illustrations in a black and grey pallet. This author/illustrator does a nice job conveying expression in the faces of boys and goats alike. There is an author's note in the back of the book, along with a glossary.

This is a book to add to a text set of books about leaders who came from humble beginnings.How is Malusi like any boy? How is he different? What are the pressures in his young life?

[Scott Mescher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Herd Boy by Niki Daly gives its readers an interesting look into another culture by following the life of Malusi, a young African boy. Malusi is a hard worker and a good friend as well as an exceptional herder. Malusi proves himself to be a strong leader and has some exceptional dreams to become another type of leader in the future (President).

This book is a reminder that children of all cultures have hopes and dreams for their future. It is also a reminder of what is important in life; especially helping others.


Illustrations are well done and consist of mostly 'earth tones' such as green and grey. Pictures mostly depict large landscapes and nature.

Longer than expected, however, would read to 4th graders.

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malusi is in charge of protecting the sheep and goats during the day. He does the job with integrity. He has dreams of a big future for himself and when anyone asks what he wants to do when he is older he tells them, President! I gave this book 5/5 stars. I liked that this boy did well at the job he was given. I enjoyed the illustrations. I was very thankful for a list of words on a one page glossary in the back of the book. Throughout the book there are words that are italicized; these words are listed in the glossary with their English meaning. I think this book is great for showing that as long as you work hard you have a great chance at achieving your goals in life.