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The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton

CAMEL TRIVIA

Camels do not pant.

Camels are the only animals with humps.

Camels can produce up to 600 litres of milk a year. Their milk is much better than cow’s milk as it’s high in iron, Vitamin C and potassium and lower in fat.

Camels can close their nostrils.

Camel hair is often used to make Bedouin rugs and tents.

It’s illegal to hunt camels in the state of Arizona.

The word camel appears in the King James version of the Bible 45 times.

Racing camels can reach speeds of 20 km per hour.

Camel’s kidneys are capable of concentrating their urine to reduce water loss. The urine can become as thick as syrup and have twice the salt content of sea water.

If you were to shave a camel, it would die in the desert (allegedly!)

The humps on a camel's back are huge heaps of fat and flesh and as the camel uses up its resources, they begin to sag.

A baby camel is a calf or colt.

Camels have a very high requirement for salt.

IN BRIEF

The definitive moment in Taban’s life came early. At the age of three his future and his name changed. His father’s attention was off him for only a short while, but it was enough time for the hyena to strike. Enough time for him to earn his new name – Scar Boy.

Thirteen years later, on the other side of the world, Fi Sweeney was on the point of entering Scar Boy’s life. At the moment, though, she was trying to decide what to pack. What did a young woman need to take when she was travelling into the unknown? Because Kenya and the Camel Bookmobile were certainly the unknown!

Months later in Mididima, Kanika woke with excitement rolling in her stomach. For today was the day when the books would come. Carried in boxes strung on either side of a camel, appearing from the desert. Tales from the outside world; tales to open her mind.

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga