Kids into books - Wild Things: Baboon Rock

This week's title: Wild Things – Baboon Rock

Author:Elizabeth Laird

Publisher: Macmillan, $10.95

Age group:10-12 years


Afra swung one slim brown leg over the side of the hammock that was slung between two pillars on the verandah, and turned a page of her book. She read the same paragraph twice without taking in a single word, then let the book fall on to her stomach. I bet there'll be elephants at this weekend place, she thought. Even cheetahs, maybe. I can't wait for tomorrow.

Something nibbled at her leg and she sat up. A goose was pecking gently at her knee with is blunt beak, his bright eyes watching her hopefully.

"Stumpy!" said Afra. "You made me jump."

She leant out of the hammock , scooped the goose up into her arms and settled him on her stomach. Stumpy waggled his golden rump and rubbed his neck lovingly on Afra's arm.

'I'm sorry,' said Afra, stroking the down on his chest. 'You can't come with us. But I'll only be away for the weekend and I'll bring you back some of my birthday cake. I promise.'


'Afra!' Sarah's African voice, rich with disapproval, floated out from inside the old bungalow, and a minute later Sarah herself appeared at the verandah door, her ample body wrapped in an apron.


Tomorrow: Excuses for a stained sweatshirt.