Tag Archive | Lauren St John

Operation Rhino by Lauren St John

Mar3

Kindness & Care

Operation Rhino by Lauren St John is a powerful contemporary children’s novel. It is the sixth book in The White Giraffe series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in numerical order for character progression and timeline continuity. The books are suitable for the over eights. Whatever your age, this series will entertain.

Each book has highlighted an endangered species. As you can tell from the title, it is the turn of the Rhino. They have been hunted to near extinction by grasping, greedy and ill-informed poachers who want the rhino horn.

We join eleven-year-olds Martine and Ben once more, as they help to rescue several rhinos.

Martine meets her favourite band and is briefly starstruck, leading to a lapse in judgment which haunts her. The result is a very guilty conscience and her special gift is hidden. She needs to release the guilt and believe in herself again.

We see the bonds formed between different animal species. “Animals don’t see difference as a negative thing. All they care about is kindness.” Watching a baby rhino bond with an energetic billy goat is priceless.

The reader is treated to the beauty of the African landscape, which contrasts with the potential danger. “The game reserve can be a deadly dangerous place. It’s also the most beautiful place on earth.”

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The Elephant’s Tale by Lauren St John

Feb15

Educating, Enthralling & Entertaining

The Elephant’s Tale by Lauren St John is an entertaining children’s novel, just perfect for the over tens. It is the fifth book in the White Giraffe series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in numerical order as each one starts where the previous one ended.

Each book focuses on a different animal. As the title suggests, it is the turn of the elephants. We are educated about the characteristics of elephants. They are loyal and caring. Being in any sort of captivity is detrimental to their health.

The reader learns about the damage that global warming is doing. We should all be looking after our planet and animals.

Eleven-year-olds Martine and Ben have grown in stature since the series began. A year has passed at the animal sanctuary, Sawubona. Physically both main characters have filled out, and mentally they are wise beyond their years.

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The Last Leopard by Lauren St John

Feb6

A Strange Type Of Heaven

The Last Leopard by Lauren St John is a powerful contemporary children’s novel that I loved. It is perfect for those aged ten years and over. It is the fourth book in The White Giraffe series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in numerical order for the continuity of story and for character development.

Once more we ‘travel’ to Africa to join eleven-year-old Martine and her friend Ben, and her grandmother on the Sawubona animal sanctuary. The three travel to Zimbabwe, a journey of over two thousand kilometres, to help a friend in distress.

Martine hates to leave her white giraffe, Jemmy but is excited to learn about the last leopard, Khan.

Once more, it is Martine and Ben’s love of animals that makes them put personal safety aside, in order to stop the animal poachers. The pair are brave and wise beyond their years. Both have unique gifts. Ben’s is tracking. Martine has the gift of healing. Before they leave Sawubona, Grace, an African healer says: “We don’t always get to choose the paths of our lives, chile… Trust in your gift. Trust your gift will keep you safe.” Martine will be called on to use her gift. She can trust the recipient, and he can trust her. Whether human or animal, the eyes are the windows to the soul.

Our planet needs to be preserved. We need to look after the animals and their habitats because once they are gone, they are gone forever. “Ben always came alive in nature.” Both Ben and Martine care deeply for the environment. They were both “kids from the suburbs, delivered by fate to Sawubona, where they’d fallen totally in love with nature.” They both recognised the great value of the natural and its’ need for preservation.

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Dolphin Song by Lauren St John

Dec22

The Rescue

Dolphin Song by Lauren St John is a powerful contemporary YA novel. It is the third book in the White Giraffe series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in numerical order for character progression and development.

I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces as we rejoin eleven-year-old Martine and her classmates as they are going on a sea trip around the African coast to see the sardine’s swarm. It is to be a trip of a lifetime – it will be memorable in more ways than one!

Martine has been given the gift of healing animals. This will prove to be vital. She has also learnt about the healing properties of plants from wise Grace, who practices the old ways.

Friendships will be tested. “Friends made you brave. Friends made things fun.” We all need good friends. Classmates have been cruel until they need help, and then rivalries are put aside for the greater good. Working together is far better than being alone. Together we will accomplish far more.

There is nothing like a near-tragedy to put things into perspective. “I’m not happy because we nearly died last night, I’m happy because we’re alive this morning.” A positive attitude will help in our journey through life.

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