If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113.

A Tale from the Trunk

by Anna-Luise Neher

14 pages; Saddle stitched; catalogue #07-3055; ISBN 1-4251-6600-8; US$7.50, C$7.50, EUR5.12, £3.87

Six animals are meeting to discuss the English language and how it has taken over the world. The sun and the elephant are observers and find the debate very interesting.

About the Book

A fly, a bee, a hare, a bear, a mouse and a deer are holding a meeting to discuss the English language. The sun and the little elephant are observers listening to the discussion. Each animal gives their opinion about the situation and presents a number of problems, conclusions, and solutions. The elephant is eavesdropping and having a lot of thoughts about everything himself. In the end he comes to very wise decisions while the sun, who has been the other observer, is very happy with the resulting outcome. They both feel great about this most unusual day in their life.

Comments from readers:

"My grandchildren loved the story. They too, thought up other meanings for the same words – like 'fly ball.'"

"It was my favorite book this year" (boy 11).

"Everyone was thrilled with the book, truly creative and clever."

"The book and the animals are so cute" (girl 10).

"A great, interesting, entertaining, charming and very educational project!"

The highest praise has been when it was compared to the many books by Dr. Suess.

About the Author

Anna-Luise Neher was born in Germany. She graduated from the Pestalozzi-Frobel Haus in Berlin and was a kindergarten teacher for four years. The children belonged to British officers stationed in Germany at the time. After that Ms. Neher attended the Berlitz Language School in Freiburg, Germany, with a major in English and was certified in international business.

In 1959 Ms. Neher moved to America and has worked as a secretary for many years in different parts of the country. She has been very active in Toastmasters International and is the author of many short stories.

Ms. Neher has travelled extensively and hopes that A Tale from the Trunk will help children and foreigners to look at the challenges of English pronunciation and spelling from a different perspective.

The animals and the sun are photographs of the finger-puppets designed and used by Ms. Neher when presenting the story of A Tale from the Trunk as a little play.