NOT ONLY A BOOK ABOUT COUNTING, SAYS LOCAL AUTHOR
Alocal author aims to encourage children not only to learn how to count but also to learn about the Big and Little Five of Africa and conservation.
Brenda Kerr, who lives in Merrivale Heights, is a retired teacher, who worked at a number of Pietermaritzburg schools.
The ardent rhino and pangolin conservation supporter ended her first international book tour last month.
Her book, Counting in Africa, is her first and definitely not her last, she says. Her debut book tour has taken her from Zimbabwe to as far as China.
“It’s more than just a counting booking,” Kerr said. “It’s specifically talking about the Big and Little Five, making it specifically African.”
Kerr explained that she had found that children did not know much about African animals. “They’ve heard about them but many cannot name any of the Little or Big Five,” Kerr said. “They think that tigers come from Africa!”
Understanding this and also having experienced children’s innate interest in wildlife during her teaching career, Kerr felt the need to encourage this draw. “We must develop awareness and care for whatever [the children] are interested in,” she said.
Counting in Africa was an extended version of a poem Kerr wrote for her class at Athlone Primary for the speech and drama competition. The class was graded an outstanding A++, which left
Kerr “so chuffed” with them. “It’s always been in the back of my mind to expand it,” she said.
The story follows an African family as they go on safari. Each page has one member of the big five and little five with a number,
such as the first page depicting a rhino with the sentences “One gorgeous grey rhino grazing in the sun. We must protect him or there will be none.”
By adding counting as well as explaining the importance of rhinos, elephants, and rhino beetles in the ecosystem, Kerr hopes to create “teaspoons of change” especially when it comes to the concept of blame and folk tales. “We need to change from saying ‘get rid of the dreadful people [who poach rhinos]’ to ‘let’s educate and understand,’” she said.
“We need to educate the children [because] that filters upwards. Funny enough, old people listen more to their children than a talking head telling them things.”
Counting in Africa, as thought of by Kerr, makes use of a QR code which teachers and parents can scan. The code will take you to a vetted and trusted website which is also child friendly. Here, you will find fun facts and quick videos of all the big and little five members.
“I want to teach children we can use the written word to help explore the Internet in a safe way,” she said. “And that Google doesn’t have all the answers.”
Kerr started her teaching career in Zimbabwe before moving to Johannesburg where she taught at a special needs school. As her children got older, Kerr moved to Kwazulu-natal where she opened her own preschool, Huggle-bugs, for seven years before moving to Hilton Pre-primary. “I retired, or so I thought,” said Kerr.
“I became a locum teacher at various schools. I was at Athlone Primary School and ended up staying for another 15 years.”
Kerr’s tour launched in Zimbabwe and ended with her talking at Dulwich College International in Suzhou, China. During her travels, she spoke at schools in Zimbabwe, Pietermaritzburg, Port Shepstone, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and finished at an international school in China.