The Elephant and the Bee
A journey of adventure, humor, and environmental passion
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Jacaranda Books Art Music Ltd
Published:1st Apr '16
Should be back in stock very soon
This captivating narrative follows Jess De Boer's journey from privilege to adventure, culminating in her commitment to beekeeping in Africa.
In The Elephant and the Bee, Jess De Boer shares her remarkable journey from a life of privilege in Africa to the unpredictable world of a nomadic traveler. With a blend of humor and insight, she recounts her experiences that range from the bizarre to the downright hilarious. Each adventure is a testament to her resilience and determination, ultimately leading her back to her roots in Africa, where she finds a new passion for beekeeping.
As a child, Jess dreamed of saving the world, a goal that propelled her to leave the comforts of her home behind. Her travels across various continents are filled with unexpected twists and turns, showcasing her growth and the lessons learned along the way. Through her vivid storytelling, readers are invited to join her on a rollercoaster of emotions, laughter, and self-discovery, as she navigates the complexities of aid, environmental issues, and conservation.
The Elephant and the Bee beautifully illustrates how one person's journey can inspire change. Jess's adventures remind us that while the task of saving the world may seem daunting, every small effort counts. With charming illustrations accompanying her tales, this book captures the spirit of exploration and the importance of making a positive impact, one little bee at a time.
This is a story we can all relate with. What will we do with our life? Do we have to follow a path we build in our head for many years or will we just go with the flow? From Africa to Switzerland, with a quick detour to Vietnam, Jess brings us in her peregrination and her mental journey of "What can I do with my life?". Is following your principles enough? How can a simple detail (in this case, an advert for beekeeping classes) change the course of your life - and others? This was a truly fun and inspiring book. You'll finish it full of hope and motivation to engage in something (or someone) new and unusual. * Marion Tessier, The KU Big Read *
If I had seen this book in the bookstore and it had been sealed with only the cover for reference, I would still pick it up. Its title 'The Elephant and the Bee, Jess de Boer On Saving The World and other triumphant failures' had me chuckling even before I had read the preface. That sets the pace of the book, which gives an honest account of the author's incredible journey of trying to find her purpose and like most of us attempting to actually do 'something good for once as opposed to just thinking about it.'
Jess's story begins right after high school and she shares a collection of stories, spanning several years and different continents that gives the reader a peek into her personal defeats and success in her bid to save the world. What makes this book a real page turner, are the Kenyan author's clever descriptions of all the places she has been. There is the hilarious description of a café she worked at in Christchurch, New Zealand, 'The building itself had only just survived the earlier tremors and was held together with suspicious amount of wire, duct tape and cable ties...' And then her realisation that the mountains wilderness that she had longed to see in Lao Cai in China, 'was in reality a never-ending row of scruffy hotels and eateries on either side of a road...'
Throughout the whole book, I felt like I was listening to a story told by a friend over coffee and even the ending is not really an ending but the possibility of something new. As Jess surmises, 'While saving the world isn't easy as it seems, we can make a positive change, one little bee at a time.' What a beautiful read.
ISBN: 9781909762244
Dimensions: 206mm x 148mm x 14mm
Weight: 320g
192 pages