Honey... Honey... Lion!

Description

The African plains provide a stunning environment for Jan Brett's latest animal adventure. For as long as anyone can remember, the honeyguide bird and the African honey badger have been partners when it comes to honey-Honeyguide finds the honeycomb, Badger breaks it open, and they share the sweetness inside. But this day, Badger keeps all the honey for himself. Foolish Badger! In no time, Honeyguide leads Badger on a fast chase. Badger thinks it's for honey; but Honeyguide has a surprise waiting for her greedy friend. As they swim across a pond, push through a thicket of reeds, leap over a huge anthill, a menagerie of exotic animals passes the news along in a kind of animal Bush Telegraph. Finally Badger faces a lift-the-flap page, revealing the twist that teaches Badger a lesson. Can you guess who's under that flap? Honey . . . Honey . . . Lion! will surely become a family favorite for readers of all ages.

Jan Brett and her husband, Joe, have visited Botswana three times. Their guide, Ali Tiego, told them the true story of the honeyguide, and then the legend-if you don't share the honey, the next time the honeyguide will lead you to a lion! "Ali taught us that large cats could be hiding anywhere, especially under the candle pod acacia," Jan says. "In Tswana, the language of Botswana, this shrub is called 'the house of the lion.'" How does news travel without any telephones? "It's a bush telegraph, we were told. Ali is always listening to the sounds. The yelp of a jackal or a guinea hen's cackle spells out a whole story-if you know how to listen." You can visit Jan Brett at www.janbrett.com