Learn more about pangolins

A PAIR of kids, talking animals and a mystery to be discovered. These are the ingredients for the book titled What On Earth Is That?

Written by Sarah Savory and illustrated by Frédéric Baele, What On Earth Is That? is a story told in rhymes that follows a young boy and his friend who find a mysterious animal covered in scales and curled up into a ball, and set off to find out what the animal is by asking the other animals what they think.

The animal is revealed to have been a sleeping pangolin.

Pangolins are anteater-like mammals that live on a diet of insects and curl up into a ball to protect themselves.

Sadly, these fascinating creatures are quickly becoming endangered due to poachers hunting them in order to trade and sell their scales and meat.

The tail end of the book gives some information on the different species of pangolin and the efforts of the Tikki Hywood Trust to help them.

Savory lives in Zimbabwe with her two children, one of whom was the inspiration for the little boy in the book.

She is a lover of all wildlife, especially pangolins, and has made it her mission to let the world know about the dangers the scaly mammals face.

This passion was passed down to her from her father, Allan Savory, who was a famous ecologist.

What On Earth Is That? is a fun and highly informative book for kids between 3 and 6 years old.

It is currently only available through online stores from R100 each.