Out of Africa: New Book Teaches Young Readers Environment, Culture

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September 12, 2009. Denver, CO and Maun, Botswana (PressReleasePoint) — A remarkable new book teaching children about African culture while imparting an important message about the environment.

Just released by Outskirts Press (www.outskirtspress.com), An African Tale spans the centuries for a uniquely imaginative fable. This sophisticated chapter book from author Enna Neru stresses wisdom and proper stewardship of the earth while packing enough action and plot twists to keep children of any age riveted.

The book revolves around a mysterious diamond-shaped stone that appeared when humans were first on the earth. The prophecy of the stone is that whoever finds it will become immortal and control the weather, producing rain as he or she finds fit. That honor eventually falls to Ledimo, a waterfinder on the African plains who learns the stone – and its “gift” of immortality – can create more problems than they do glory.

As Ledimo ages (and learns numerous lessons in the process), the story shifts to his offspring, Lesedi and Lotobo. For them, harnessing stone’s power is contingent on one thing: that they cooperate. But the boys couldn’t be more different – one grows up in a remote village on the Okavango Delta, and the other in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. And as cooperation appears out of the question, the problems multiply when water becomes an issue, and powerful forces seek to control this important resource.

For Neru, the book was a way to express the timelessness of African myth, and bridge the old and new of a developing continent: “I wanted to write a story about African children growing up in both worlds using some of the old myths and beliefs to create a fantasy world,” states Neru. “It is also a story about environmental issues, particularly water, which is such a central part of Botswana life. The word for the currency and also a cheer is Pula, which means rain.”

An African Tale dazzles with a beautifully imagined legend whose core meaning we ignore at our peril.

An African Tale is now available through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and the online bookstore of Outskirts Press, at outskirtspress.com/store.php.

Book Statistics
ISBN: 978-1-4327-2348-4
Suggested Retail Price:
US$13.95/CAN$17.95
Size and Format:
6.14x9.21 Paperback
Page Count: 160
Genre: Children’s Literature - Storytelling

About the Author: Enna Neru livs on the edge of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, where the dry Kalahari sands meet water to create a wildlife paradise.

Author Contact: Visit her on the Web at www.outskirtspress.com/EnnaNeru

About Outskirts Press, Inc.: Outskirts Press, Inc. offers full-service, custom self-publishing services for authors seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books worldwide while retaining all their rights and full creative control. Available for authors globally at www.outskirtspress.com and located on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado, Outskirts Press represents the future of book publishing, today.

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