Way Far Away on a Wild Safari

Grab your binoculars

and follow me.

Let's travel far away

on a wild safari.

There are lots of fun trails!

Many sights to see!

As we hike, hike, hike,

on this wild safari.

Children's Literature

Our brave main character is going on safari. He's looking for a lion for his grandmother and himself. On each page, he meets up with and interacts with a new wild animal. The illustrator has developed some very charming animals and gorgeous scenes from the African landscape. The tourist greets each animal, shares a few sing-song words, and is soon hiking away to continue his quest. Even though the author doesn't use the phrase of "see you later alligator," she creates some similar and memorable lines. They will just as easily roll off your tongue. Each page follows a pattern which will help a reader to memorize the lines and read along. This books has some very good verbs for young readers. The story is charming and the illustrations are beautiful. Enjoy this safari!

Jan Peck has written stories and articles in Highlights for Children, Boys' Life, Humpty Dumpty, and Turtle magazines. In adition, she is the author of The Giant Carrot, illustrated by Barry Root, and her story "The Perfect Dog" is in the best-selling book Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul. Her previous picture book with Simon & Schuster is Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea. She resides in Texas.

Valeria Petrone has illustrated several books for children, including Ducks in Muck by Lori Haskins, Say Cheese! by Nancy Smiler Levinson, and Uh-Oh! by Marion Dane Bauer. She is the illustrator for Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin by Mary Serfozo and, most recently, illustrated Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea. She currently lives in Italy.