Uncle's Glass Eye

About the Book

Imagine you are on safari in Africa and, unbeknown to you during a magical eclipse in the Zambezi Valley, Panashe, an orphaned son of Africa, and Birrie the Kid goat, are born. Due to circumstances beyond her control, Grandmother-of-all-Grandmothers has a secret that she must live with for the remainder of her days. Her brother, rich Uncle Amos, must never know. If he ever discovers that Panashe, his orphaned nephew and Birrie the Kid, face endless adventures together, Birrie will end up in the cooking pot and Panashe will never stop crying himself to sleep.

Unexpectedly, the school holidays do not work out as planned because the rains have arrived. Uncle Amos now wants Panashe to work for him. In trying to avoid his duties, Panashe's master plan backfires and Birrie the Kid swallows Uncle Amos' precious glass eye. Unless he coughs it up immediately, his future is definitely in the cooking pot as delicious goat stew! The two friends are devastated.

This illustrated fantasy story is for children possibly as young as 10 years old upwards. If the reader curiously needs to consult a dictionary, when I have achieved my goal, i.e. encouraging young readers to learn new words. In alphabetical order it embraces Africa, the basics of business in the food chain, conservation, first aid, geography, good manners, humour, loyalty in family and friendship, new words, proverbs, tourism but above all it embraces fantasy.

P.S. When reading it to your children, remember to slip a brown glass marble into your mouth just before Grandmother falls off her metal bucket. Then, when Birrie the Kid coughs it up, voila! Watch their faces when that brown eye hurtles across the room! It is the most fun you will ever have reading to your avid listeners, but be prepared to explain many things in between…

A percentage of sales will be donated to the orphans of the Zambezi Valley.

About the Author

Born and bred Zimbabwean, (1942), mother of Dustine and Khurt. With no formal training, won her first writing competition aged 15. Travel writer specialising in Zimbabwe. Prefers to write barefoot, at night. Firmly believes she is channelled in her writing.

Hobbies: Enjoys music from around the world, and African culture and history.

"As a white girl growing up in Southern Rhodesia, I had a deprived childhood. In my days we were never encouraged to read the writings of black poets and writers, or even contemplate studying African culture! Now I am like a sponge, randomly soaking it up..."

The series of Tales from the Rainbow Rainforest were originally written in 1988, for my son (then aged 6), while travelling on buses to work in Peterborough (UK). Rejected by several publishers and as a radio play for children by the BBC, I filed it away. It would take years for the reality of orphans in Africa, be it through drought, or war, to be recognised.

However, last year I shared the story of Uncle's Glass Eye with my grandson, Keenan, (6).

Inspired by his incredulous laughter, pleading with me to repeat the story again and again, and Dustine's constant prompting to write the story down for him and his younger brother, Jared, I ditched my shoes once more and asked Zimbabwean Graphic Artist, Stephen Cartwright to help...

When he heard that the Orphans in the Zambezi Valley would benefit he too, ditched his shoes as he sat down at his computer...

And then Dustine told me about Trafford Publishing... Nothing is a co-incidence!