Safari in South Africa

Uncle Max takes Riley on a child's dream tour-a South African safari. Smart cartoon figures overlay outback snapshots, including interesting facts and figures. We like that the story flows through each page, while the illustrations aren't overburdened with educational information. A handy glossary tells us what we need to know, and there's even a pullout passport in the back.

My nephews ages 3 and 5 loved the exciting story of young Riley going on a Safari in South Africa to study endangered and dangerous animals. Riley encounters lots of amazing surprises along the way! The unique merging of character illustrations placed over dazzling photographs really held my nephews' attention! Plus, there are amazing fact boxes which feature weird and wild animal facts supplied by scientists from organizations like the Smithsonian Institution. My nephews are still reciting all the facts they learned! A great book at home or an elementary classroom. I've never seen anything else quite like it!

Collaboratively written by Laura Hurwitz and Amanda Lumry, Alistair On Safari is an engaging and informative children's picturebook that alternates simple, cartoon-like pictures by Sarah McIntyre of young Alistair and her friends, and superb color photography by Amanda Lumry of wildlife from baboons to lions and hyenas. Filled with facts about these amazing creatures, Alistair On Safari is a great book for introducing young readers to the exciting wonders of exotic wildlife.

The engaging illustrations, beginning with the cover and end pages, set the scene and move the readers, children and adults, immediately into the African adventure, Alistair on Safari.The intense color and outlining of the whimsical illustrations project well to a classroom of children gathered around the reader. Children grades K - 6 have been eager to look closely at the featured wildlife photography and follow the story line enhanced by the illustrations. They have been keenly interested in the "tid-bit" fact boxes. They have been delighted to find the interactive website at alistairadventures.com, fill in their own passports, compare their animal footprint recognition scores, then go back and reread the book. They have been challenged to photograph their own vacations (single-use box cameras are great!)and write their own travel adventures. Alistair's intense focus on photographing a leopard as requested by his mom is a gentle warning to the adult reader about setting up possible unreal expectations and creating stress for children. The children I have shared this African Game Reserve Adventure with are looking forward to Alistair's next adventure. We would love to go with him. A Bellevue teacher

Alistair is a terrific book that is interesting, refreshing, educational and FUN! The story line was great because it was easy to follow. My kids enjoyed the "factoid" boxes which are unique and educational. Photographs combined with the cartoon images really seem to hold the kid's attention and interest. The photos were magnificent! I would recommend this book to anyone with children!There are not many books on the market that have as much to offer as this book does. To sum up this children's book I would use one word: Refreshing!