Friends: An African Adventure

Fauna Park Tales #2

by Maretha Botha

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.

123 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2015

About the author

Maretha Botha - Children's author/illustrator and self-confessed bookworm, chocolate and black coffee addict, animal and bird lover, occasional gardener. Her children's (9-12) series of illustrated books called, "FAUNA PARK TALES" is based on "African Adventures of Flame, Family, Furry and Feathered Friends" a September 2013 GOLD MEDAL WINNER on Authonomy, a HarperCollins writers' website.

She has published four children's books via LionheArt Publishing House.
https://myBook.to/FlameHope
https://myBook.to/Friends
https://myBook.to/OrphansPlight
https://myBook.to/Trails

She has also written three short stories:
https://myBook.to/Evergreens
https://myBook.to/LostTime
https://myBook.to/FamilyFound

Her author pages are:
https://facebook.com/flameandhope.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00MOORJAO

Reviews

[Sunshine Somerville · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Margaret Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a special charm to this book, for both the story and illustrations are captivating. The story itself carries a message. All in all, a lovely book that I recommend to young readers and those of us who are looking for a worthwhile book to enjoy with their children or grandchildren. Five stars.

[Flossie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series: Fauna Park Tales
Engaging Children's Tale, Uplifting for Adults
Author: Maretha Botha
First Published: May 2015
Genre: Children’s, middle grades (Good for parents to read aloud to younger children as well)
Sub-Genre: Animal Stories
Setting: Fauna Park, Molodi, Africa
Primary Characters: Flame, a dog, also called Jack, Old Boy by humans; The Storyteller- Hope, an eagle owl
Human Couple: Maisie and John James
Major Theme: Animals and humans interact and work together to save their precious natural way of life.
Descriptors: Creative, inventive, engaging story that includes numerous animals and humans, each with jobs or ways of life and interconnected existences. At times their survival is threatened, such as with a terrifying fire, and they must act to save themselves and their way of life. Other times are good, and the reader delights to see them rejoice in the miracle of life on earth. Descriptive pictures enable the reader to readily visualize some of the characters. Also available in Kindle format.
Favorite Supporting Character: Cook Katie
Fun Tidbits: I love how Flame has two names. I have often thought that must be the case with our beloved furry friends. A frog with a marvelous sense of human and no real name is Fee-Far-Fun.
Memorable Line: The bush creatures’ first motto-
Hope remains alive and keeps our fears at bay. Let’s keep our hope alive.

[Patricia Furstenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Friends’ is the second book in the ‘Fauna Park Tales’ series; it can be read as a stand-alone book or as a sequel to book 1, ‘Flame and Hope’.

We encounter again the beautiful descriptive style of Maretha Botha that has the musicality of classical stories. ‘Friends’ reminded me of the ‘Lion King’ and I almost heard drums in the distant background and the occasional laugh of the hyena, just like in the African bushveld. Because this book skillfully introduces southern Africa, it’s beautiful climate and wild animals, to young children. The story, its animal characters and beautiful, captivating illustrations come together to depict a perfect African image in any child’s mind.

‘Friends’, just like ‘Flame and Hope’, is book to enjoy and to share with young children as well as older ones. It speaks of friendship and adventure, of keeping your promise and protecting the needy.

Flame, the dog, and Hope, the bird, ill establish themselves in the hearts and minds of young and old readers.

A must have for any home or school library.

[Yvette Calleiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. :-)

[Bette Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming & Educational! 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 and other books for children and adults

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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!