Akimbo and the Baboons

Akimbo #5

by Alexander McCall Smith, Peter Bailey (Illustrator)

Book by ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH

Genres: Africa, Fiction, Childrens, Animals

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2008

About the author

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coinciding with a visit by Akimbo's cousin Kosi, Jen who studies baboons, is at the Game Reserve. She asks to take the two boys with her and his parents give the permission. At the hut out in the bush, Jen spends her time watching the baboons and gathering as much information as she can before a longer visit. The group notices one baboon walking with a limp and find that it has a wire around its leg. Later the boys wander off and get lost. They'd spend the night in the bush but for some special help.
Least favorite of the group. Maybe it's that this is the fifth and final installment. As with the others, there is an educational side to this.

[Busy Mummy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely short novel that follows Akimbo’s love for Africa. The story itself blends factual information in the storyline with some great baboon facts at the end of the book. Great book for any animal lover or topic on Africa. The text is simple and easy to read, a lovely introduction for children to transition to short novels as they progress in their reading.

[Vay M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book in one sit. I always read kids books anytime i feel discomfort and need to run from the reality. As you read the title, this book is about babboons. I can say that this is a mini encyclopedia about that animal along with an adventure between Akimbo and his cousin that were being companions for a scientist named Jen.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good final read in the Akimbo book series. Akimbo is the son of a game reserve ranger who lives in Africa and he goes on adventures, the majority of which involve saving and rescuing animals and learning valuable life lessons.

[Siti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading. Great story to build up kids' compassion for animals

[Mahsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read of the series and I liked it. I think we need more of these type of books that have an interesting story line plus useful simple scientific facts. It’s a complete package!

[Books Kids Like · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen, the scientist who studies baboons, needs some help. Akimbo and his best friend, Kosi, are only too happy to volunteer. They help her set up camp and, then, sit with her while she makes her first contact with the baboons. During the first night, all three awake to a huge ruckus at the baboon camp. As Jen goes to explore, Akimbo senses something. He pulls her to the ground just before a leopard leaps over her. Throughout the next day, the boys watch as Jen studies the baboons. When two males dash in to steal sandwiches from Akimbo and Kosi, Akimbo notices that one is limping. A wire tightly wound around the animal’s ankle is cutting into its flesh. Akimo devises a plan to help the young baboon.

[Laura Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Africa and her magnificent wildlife are presented beautifully in the Akimbo series. The stories are informative and exciting, although may be a little scary for very small children. Marvelous chapter book for children, or adults looking for a very cute, very short read.

[Susan Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful chapter books about Africa for children.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

MCL. I liked when they got the piece of wire off the leg of one of the baboons.

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again..... Great story! My 4 and 6 year olds loved it and are a bit disappointed that there are not more books in the series! We hope AMS writes a new one where Akimbo is a teenager:)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great young adult read.