Charming tale also
serves as a great conversation starter to enlighten children about the plight
of our endangered rhinos. (Review by Stephanie Millar)
Nothing makes my
five-year-old happier than the prospect of a bedtime story. Our routine before
I tuck him in: he picks a book, enthusiastically launches himself into bed and
sitting bolt upright, waits excitedly for the story to start.
Before I started
reading Chizi’s Tale, I told him that
this story really happened in real life, with a real rhino and a real
family. His eyes widened and he sat a little more upright.
Chizi’s Tale is a heartwarming one. It’s about an
abandoned baby black rhino – only a few days old - who is found by two park
rangers. The brand new rhino orphan is taken home by the park manager, Colin
Wenham, and reared by his family in their home. The comical and endearing anecdotes
of Chizi’s time with the Wenham family are almost relatable. With each page, the
story makes you feel a part of Chizi’s adventures as the new sibling.
My first impression
of the book is how beautifully illustrated it is. The pictures and scenery created
by Jacqui Taylor don’t just bring the words to life – they give you a real
sense of Africa. And instead of sprinting from one page to the next, my son and
I slowly admired every inch of her illustrations as we went.
And the story
itself … Chizi’s Tale is written by
Jack Jones, an incredible feat for a high school senior from Connecticut, USA. This
young man is playing his part in rescuing our rhinos and it truly is a
wonderful thing. Unlike most children’s stories, the story continues long after
the last page. The funds raised by the book go to Tusk’s ongoing fight against
rhino poaching, ultimately protecting rhinos like Chizi. The story also serves
as a great conversation starter to enlighten children about the plight of our endangered
rhinos.
For more about this
charming tale, visit chizistale.com. The site features video footage of baby
Chizi, the family, and offers a glimpse into the book - all voiced by the author,
Jack Jones. The site also features reviews of Chizi’s Tale by celebs, CEOs, bloggers
and authors, all who adore the tale and Jack’s initiative.
My son’s profound
review: “This baby rhino has a broken nose, Mummy,” to which I replied,
“Because he’s a baby rhino. His horn will grow when he’s bigger.”
Chizi’s Tale is published by Struik Children. The ISBN
number is 9781432307394. Price R80. – Stephanie Millar
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