Christopher J. Kurtz

A sweet story of an Ethiopian boy who raises pigeons. He is eagerly awaiting the hatching of some eggs, has to guard the coop at night from a mongoose, and challenges another boy to a "homing" contest. The watercolor illustrations add to the dreamy, quiet atmosphere. At the back of the book is a glossary of Amharic words, a note from the author explaining the practice of raising pigeons and their homing instincts, as well as a photo of the boy who inspired the story with his pigeons.

This is a great story of the African Savannah. Great for literary devices. Simile, metaphor, you name it, it's in there. Also the endnote gives fuller explanations and descriptions of the animals mentioned in the text as well as the importance of water holes to that habitat.

Little monkey mus wait to drink at the water hold because of all the bigger more dangerous animals.