Quite a few months back I shared on of the Sleeping Bear Press Tales of the World series (see original review here). These tales truly are from around the world and the latest addition to the series, Tuki and Moka: A Tale of Two Tamarins, takes place in Ecuador.
Eduardo and his father are from a small town in Ecuador near the Amazon rainforest. They venture into the rainforest to collect Brazil nut pods and young Eduardo has befriended some of the animals they find there.
While Eduardo and his father respect the rainforest and the animals therein. Once they are back in town Eduardo discovers a truck being loaded with cages of rainforest animals including two very special tamarins, Tuki and Moka, who are Eduardo’s friends from his treks to the rainforest. Eduardo proves to be a very brave young boy who ends up saving these animals (and quickly going to his father for further help).
Written by award-winning author Judy Young and illustrated by Jim Madsen, Tuki and Moka: A Tale of Two Tamarins is a great story for kids aged 6-10.
Eduardo and his family live in a small town in Ecuador, not far from the Amazon rainforest. The rainforest is an important part of their lives. Each month Eduardo and his father travel by river from their town to the rainforest. There, using just a basket and a machete, they gather Brazil nuts. They are castañeros and this is how they earn their living. But the rainforest is not only important to the castañeros; it is home to many exotic species of plants, birds, and mammals, including two playful tamarins that Eduardo has named Tuki and Moka. So although it is difficult work being a castañero, Eduardo looks forward to his visits to the rainforest so he can play with his two friends. But one night, the peace of the forest is threatened by poachers, animal traffickers who illegally capture and then try to sell some of the birds and animals. Can Eduardo save his friends?
The end of the book even includes a page of Author’s Notes that provide information about animal trafficking, Brazil nut trees, and rainforests (a great way to learn more)!
Tuki and Moka: A Tale of Two Tamarins :: $16.99 hardcover
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