Two beautifully told traditional tales by Beverley Birch. ‘The Water Thief’ is about the mischievous antics of Hyena and how crafty Tortoise plays him at his own game. ‘Lumbwi and the Gazelle’ is about a moving friendship, but when Lumbwi embarks on a new life he seems to forget about his old friend, to dreadful consequences.

Emerald/Band 15 books provide a widening range of genres including science fiction and biography, prompting more ways to respond to texts.

Text type: Traditional tales from another culture

Curriculum links: English: fairy stories, myths and legends

This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.