Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd publishes the colourful Veld Friends-series that had me in stitches. The clever illustrations by Haden Clendinning and rhyming text by Andrew Dawson are hilarious. Children of all ages will love these stories set around the Waterhole. The unforgettable characters include Walter the Warthog, Sindele the Stork, Mandla the Hippo and Beukus the Baboon. Even though the text is in English, the books also contain lekker words like “haibo”, “woza”, “sjoe” and “aweh” to ensure a classic South African reading experience.
Book 1: Walter the Warthog and Sindele the Stork is all about Walter trying his best to impress the beautiful Sindele.
Extract: And he grew so nervous he did what even warthogs shouldn’t do.
The thing you do before you have to poo.
Walter leanded over and farted out loud.
PAAARPP!
And from his bum came a noxious cloud.
Book 2: Walter the Warthog makes a new friend is all about Walter and Sindele helping a friend called Mandla in need.
Extract: They were so startled that Walter accidentally farted, and Sindele’s wings shook and parted.
They were about to turn and flee, when they heard a sorrowful plea.
Help!
Book 3: Sindele the Stork has a Secret Admirer is all about Walter trying to find out who sent a handwritten note to his sweetheart.
Walter the Warthog and Sindele the Stork liked being together and were quite happy to stay that way forever.
But one day Sindele woke up to find a handwritten note.
Ek smaak jou stukkend.
“Oh, Walter,” she said, “I just love what you wrote.”
