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The Hunter
After being separated from her grandfather in the forest, a young African girl sees elephant poaching firsthand when she rescues a baby elephant whose mother has been killed by hunters.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
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60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 11, 2015
Silly story with colourful drawings.
When it comes up to the details the list is longer than the number of pages. The African kid has European features. The drawings are silly too: something in the background to illustrate the text and a huge frame with something like a butterfly or a chameleon.
It's the story of a little girl. Who goes out into the bush with her grandfather. Grandfather will mysteriously vanish never to come back in body. As the voice will come with some sort of advice. And the rest is about the same. The girl falls asleep next to the crocodile infested waters and no predator would care. Maybe they were fast asleep as it was after 9pm.
To make things even more beautiful, the hunters are truly savages like some Europeans think: they have bows and arrows to hunt for the elephants. Yet the elephants are fewer since the hunters/poachers came. Sounds like those guys should have guns.
Finally, deus ex machina: the mother appears in the last slide out of nowhere to take her daughter home. The end.
What a waste of paper!
When it comes up to the details the list is longer than the number of pages. The African kid has European features. The drawings are silly too: something in the background to illustrate the text and a huge frame with something like a butterfly or a chameleon.
It's the story of a little girl. Who goes out into the bush with her grandfather. Grandfather will mysteriously vanish never to come back in body. As the voice will come with some sort of advice. And the rest is about the same. The girl falls asleep next to the crocodile infested waters and no predator would care. Maybe they were fast asleep as it was after 9pm.
To make things even more beautiful, the hunters are truly savages like some Europeans think: they have bows and arrows to hunt for the elephants. Yet the elephants are fewer since the hunters/poachers came. Sounds like those guys should have guns.
Finally, deus ex machina: the mother appears in the last slide out of nowhere to take her daughter home. The end.
What a waste of paper!
February 6, 2015
I found this one really touching, and the central girl character shows bravery as she tries to navigate the ethics of her world.
November 27, 2017
An informative story with beautiful realistic illustrations, has the potential to be a hard hitting story but doesn't quite evoke the feelings or engagement it should
September 25, 2018
The artwork in this tiny book is so immersive, the reader feels almost physically transported to Jamina's world. The illustrations alone tell more of the story than the text. Every single page is so beautiful, you can almost smell, taste, hear and feel the surroundings.
It's magical.
The story could've been told better though. But the images, for me, overpower any flaws in writing and content delivery.
It's magical.
The story could've been told better though. But the images, for me, overpower any flaws in writing and content delivery.
April 3, 2021
A really interesting read about a young girl who wanders too far and gets lost. On the way she finds a baby elephant and tries to get the baby elephant to a herd and find her own way home. During the journey the little girl discovers what it feels to be hunted and afraid.
A really good story to explore habitats, animals, feelings, kindness and helping others.
A really good story to explore habitats, animals, feelings, kindness and helping others.
August 3, 2019
Extraordinary beautiful well written book. Excellent!
July 5, 2021
i dont understand
November 19, 2012
Grade/Interest Level: Upper Elementary (3rd-5th grade)
Reading Level: Lexile Level- 550L
Genre: Picture Book, Realistic Fiction
Main Characters: Jamina, baby elephant, grandfather
Setting: African forest/jungle
POV: Jamina
This story begins with Jamina and her grandfather going out to collect honey. Jamina explains how she wants to be a hunter when she grows up. Somehow Jamina wanders away from her grandfather and gets lost in the forest. After wandering further into the forest, she discovers a baby elephant whimpering next to her mother who has been killed. Jamina knows that this baby elephant would not survive on its own so she decides to lead the elephant back home with her. Although she is lost, she remembers what her parents told her to do if she ever got lost in the forest and follows those directions. Eventually Jamina and the baby elephant make it close to her village, and on the way they found a herd of elephants that took in the orphaned elephant. When Jamina finally makes it home to her parents, she has decided that she no longer wanted to be a hunter.
I think the main theme of this story is the development of values, or morals, because through Jamina’s journey and experience with the baby elephant, she has realized that she doesn’t want be a hunter, the one that caused the baby elephant’s distress in the first place. I think the book will help students to understand how humans and animals interact in the world, and the consequences of those interactions.
Reading Level: Lexile Level- 550L
Genre: Picture Book, Realistic Fiction
Main Characters: Jamina, baby elephant, grandfather
Setting: African forest/jungle
POV: Jamina
This story begins with Jamina and her grandfather going out to collect honey. Jamina explains how she wants to be a hunter when she grows up. Somehow Jamina wanders away from her grandfather and gets lost in the forest. After wandering further into the forest, she discovers a baby elephant whimpering next to her mother who has been killed. Jamina knows that this baby elephant would not survive on its own so she decides to lead the elephant back home with her. Although she is lost, she remembers what her parents told her to do if she ever got lost in the forest and follows those directions. Eventually Jamina and the baby elephant make it close to her village, and on the way they found a herd of elephants that took in the orphaned elephant. When Jamina finally makes it home to her parents, she has decided that she no longer wanted to be a hunter.
I think the main theme of this story is the development of values, or morals, because through Jamina’s journey and experience with the baby elephant, she has realized that she doesn’t want be a hunter, the one that caused the baby elephant’s distress in the first place. I think the book will help students to understand how humans and animals interact in the world, and the consequences of those interactions.
October 30, 2017
We have used this rich text with our whole school topic of ‘Out of Africa’ in which years 1-6 looked at the key themes, discussed these and created several written outcomes during our Big Write sessions. There are so many discussion points this book has to offer including loneliness, friendships, loss, the importance of rules and hunting as a hobby.
We had the pleasure of inviting Paul Geraghty into our school for an assembly/workshop in which both the teachers and children were awed! His tailored workshops fascinated children in foundation stage, all the way to year 6 with his enthusiasm, life story and his thoughts on writing and illustrating some of his books.
I would highly recommend this book to use for both key stages!
We had the pleasure of inviting Paul Geraghty into our school for an assembly/workshop in which both the teachers and children were awed! His tailored workshops fascinated children in foundation stage, all the way to year 6 with his enthusiasm, life story and his thoughts on writing and illustrating some of his books.
I would highly recommend this book to use for both key stages!
May 31, 2010
This is one of those books where the pictures trump the words for me. Jasmina's story shows how she transforms from wanting to be a hunter to understanding the prey's point of view. I think storytellers, parents and librarians would appreciate the value of Jasmina's night with a baby elephant in the forest. For me, the dramatic images of Africa's lush wildlife and flora are more resonant. The colors and lines used to depict the various animals, flowers, and insects are compelling and vivid. Geraghty's skill as an illustrator is very apparent. And, I'm a sucker for elephants.
March 12, 2013
Stunning artwork: full of vivid colors, epic landscapes and passionate expression. The story teaches appreciation for nature and life as well at overcoming fear. Highly recommended.
December 25, 2016
Beautiful
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews