Join Ruby, her friend Thomas, and her adventurous dad on a hilarious safari through Zimbabwe's Matetsi camp! Bursting with vibrant illustrations and giggle-inducing animal encounters, this charming picture book celebrates friendship, family, and the joy of discovering the wild in the most wonderfully silly ways. Get ready for a rip-roaring adventure where every roar, rumble, and squawk brings a new laugh.
Ruby, Thomas, and Papa John bounced with excitement as their safari jeep pulled into Matetsi Camp. Bright yellow tents glowed under the warm African sun, and the air buzzed with the promise of adventure. Ruby pointed at a playful monkey swinging from a nearby tree, already giggling.
The next morning, with sun hats perched jauntily, the trio set off in their open-top jeep. Ruby and Thomas leaned out, eyes wide, ready for anything. Papa John chuckled, knowing his two little explorers were in for a wild ride.
Suddenly, a dazzle of zebras appeared, munching grass with their striped backs shimmering. "Hee-haw!" brayed one loudly. Ruby and Thomas immediately started imitating the zebras, wiggling their bottoms and pretending their arms were striped legs.
Further on, towering giraffes munched leaves from the highest branches, their long necks stretching elegantly. "Mmmm-crunch!" went the leaves. Thomas tried to stretch his neck so high he nearly fell over, while Ruby giggled, looking like a little giraffe herself.
At a dusty waterhole, a herd of enormous elephants splashed and trumpeted. "RUMBLE! WHOOSH!" they called, spraying water with their trunks. Ruby and Thomas cupped their hands over their noses, pretending to be mini-elephants, spraying imaginary water at their dad.
Later, they spotted a pride of sleepy lions, all sprawled out, napping under a tree. "Zzzzzzz," went the soft snores. Ruby and Thomas tiptoed past the jeep, making exaggerated quiet faces and holding their breath, trying not to wake the majestic beasts.
A troop of mischievous vervet monkeys suddenly appeared, chattering excitedly. "OOOH-AAAH-AAAH!" they screeched. One cheeky monkey zoomed down and snatched Thomas's hat right off his head, swinging away with it into the bushes.
High above, a flock of vibrant parrots squawked "Chirp! Squawk!" as they flew past in a blur of color. Ruby and Thomas flapped their arms wildly, trying to mimic the birds' flight and calls, nearly tumbling out of the jeep with laughter.
By the river, a huge hippo yawned a massive, cavernous "GRRROOOOAAAN!" showing off its enormous teeth. Ruby and Thomas tried to open their mouths just as wide, making funny gurgling sounds like the hippos in the water.
As twilight settled, they gathered around a crackling campfire, roasting marshmallows. Ruby and Thomas recounted their day's silly adventures, their faces glowing with happiness. Papa John smiled, knowing this safari was one they'd never forget.
Main character of the story is a girl named Ruby. She is on a hunting trip with her Dad and her friend Thomas at a camp called Matetsi in Zimbabwe. They come across a lot of different wild animals and birds (include the animals sounds). Ruby and Thomas are silly. Make the book funny.
