The Missing Ball (4)

The Cool Nguni

by Maryanne Bester, Shayle Bester (Ilustrator)

Gaps, the endearing Nguni calf, and his cousin Sugarbean—named because of her speckled, sugar bean-like hide—want to play a game of soccer before sundown, but they must first find their missing ball, hidden somewhere in Africa's vast, majestic landscape. With a quirky African take on a situation all kids can relate to—losing a favorite toy—this visually engaging tale continues the series' trend of entertaining children while exposing them to a unique and exciting culture.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

Sisters Maryanne and Shayle Bester have cooked up nine picture books together, all published by Jacana. Some of these feature Gaps, the Nguni calf, and his extended family. Others, like Three Friends and a Taxi, are light-hearted contemporary tales. Three Friends and a Taxi was a winner of the 2004 Sappi Isiqalo Book Competition and The Cool Nguni was one of the winners of the Exclusive Books IBBY SA Awards. The sisters grew up on a Free State farm but now live in Gauteng with an assortment of family and animals. All their stories draw on their deep affection for the people, places and eccentricities of Africa. (source: Jacana Media)