Kalulu the Forest Queen
Our Heritage S. Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Kalulu the Forest Queen tells the story of a young gorilla named Kalulu who lives in the forest with her family and friends. When poachers invade the forest and kidnap some of the gorillas, Kalulu bands together with the other gorillas to rescue their friends and drive the poachers away. Kalulu shows great courage and leadership as she guides the gorillas to stand up to the poachers and protect their home. In a different tale, all the animals in the Bagana forest lived together in harmony until Lion, who lives alone, ill and hungry, steals a sheep. Kalulu the Hare scares him away, but eventually the animals help Lion by giving him food, teaching a moral to young children that being clever, intelligent, and wise is more rewarding than being strong and loud.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes Kalulu a good queen for the forest?
How do you think the other animals feel about Kalulu?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone just like Kalulu helps her friends?
What would you do if you were the queen or king of a forest?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and consider what decisions they would make if they were Kalulu. Highlight the values of leadership and kindness by discussing Kalulu's actions and their impacts on the forest. Ask your child to draw parallels between the book’s events and real-life situations to deepen their understanding and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: Kalulu the Forest Queen teaches children the importance of caring for the environment as she nurtures and protects the forest she rules.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in activities like recycling, planting trees, and participating in local clean-up days to help preserve their own environments.
Example Lesson: Leadership and responsibility
Explanation: The character of Kalulu demonstrates what it means to be a good leader by making wise decisions and looking out for the well-being of all her forest inhabitants.
Real-World Application: Kids can take on small leadership roles at home or in school, such as being a team captain or helping to organize classroom activities, learning to take responsibility for their actions and influence others positively.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Kalulu faces various challenges that she overcomes through clever thinking and strategic planning.
Real-World Application: Children can use critical thinking skills to solve problems they encounter, such as resolving conflicts with siblings or figuring out how to achieve a goal in a school project.
Example Lesson: Collaboration
Explanation: Kalulu works together with other animals in the forest to maintain harmony and solve problems, showcasing the power of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This encourages kids to collaborate with peers during group projects or sports, highlighting how teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.