Deforestation is at the worst it has ever been.
More species than ever are disappearing from the planet
and the animals are crying out for our help.
50% of all sale proceeds of Mungai and the Goa Constrictor, from 13th December until 13th January, will be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Society – my Christmas gift to the animals.
The holidays are almost upon us – What better time to gift someone a copy!
Mungai and the Goa Constrictor offers the ideal way to spread awareness of the intentional devastation wreaked on the forest environments by unscrupulous members of society; those propelled through life by callousness and greed. Those who are so impervious to the effects of deforestation on all who inhabit the earth, only the united strength of the global community can stop their activities.
Mungai and the Goa Constrictor is a children’s book best suited to ages 9 to 90. Told through the eyes of animals, it tells of conspiracies hatched to aid the wilful destruction of the rainforests, and the resulting unlikely friendships forged between the various species of the widespread animal kingdom. It’s a story filled with action, adventure, humour, deceit, friendship, tolerance and environmental awareness.
Mungai and the Goa Constrictor has received twenty two wonderful four and five star reviews.
amazon.com $3.25
amazon.co.uk £2.04
Paperback $8.96
Here are some of the things readers are saying:
“Curzon’s “Mungai and the Goa Constrictor” is worthy of being a classic. It is fable, novel, allegory — all in one. “Mungai” is written with intellectual depth: complicated themes and symbols abound in the story…” (Christine Corretti – USA)
“Great, great, great book! Excellent lesson, and almost a vicious-circle type ending, which I find to be uncommon in most books” (The Halulkos)
“This unique book is a delightful read for all ages that could become a classic and be adapted to a school’s curriculum. The dialogues are witty and entertaining, and the characters are intriguing and well-developed. A provoking and engaging read” (Mina M)
“Amelia E. Curzon has done us all a huge favour, by shining a spotlight on, and enlightening us to, the damage done to our society by these unconscionable and despicable human beings. Her insight into this behaviour and relaying this message, through the depiction of animals is truly remarkable” (Jane Whiteoak – USA)
“What follows is an entertaining round of scheming, duplicity and jostling for position within the group whilst they get up to no good in the no go area of the jungle. A bit like people in politics really, with a similar underlying message” (Murphy Reviews – Zimbabwe)
“I didn’t see the ending coming, that was a surprise……..I think I’d read this again, like most of the endearing children’s classics – that are also made for adults to enjoy” (Mr. “Max” Reviews – USA)
“This ought to be a staple in family homes, schools, and libraries across the globe” (Paul- USA)
Two excerpts from Chapters Twenty-Eight and Six.
The first is where the good animals are in pursuit of one of the escaped villains.
The second is the first meeting between the animal villains and the ‘two-legs’.
Excerpt One
Taken from Chapter Twenty Eight – The Aftermath
Whilst the other apes were trying to swing after him at the same speed, Gerald had an unfortunate accident.
He collided with a rather large, and not very friendly beast that, like Mungai, was of dubious origin. The beast had been asleep in the branches at the time, and was non too pleased by this unwanted intrusion into his dreams. He reared up on his hind legs, delicately balancing himself on the thinnest of branches, and lunged for Gerald.
“He looks like a monkey-meat lover,” thought Gerald, but he was frozen to the spot and could only think of his imminent death, followed by a prestigious military funeral, he hoped, for his few remains.The unidentifiable creature grabbed Gerald by the feet, and swung him round and round above his head, and then hurled him skywards towards the canopy roof, where he became stuck between two branches. He was so far up, the others lost sight of him.
On his own, with no-one to help him, he thought immediately of his ‘military training’ and decided to bring in the ‘vacate the high location’ manoeuvre. This manoeuvre was something only to be used in emergency situations, which he quite rightly deemed this was. He did not have much time, so he started straight away tearing off branches and bits of other vegetation, and weaving them together securely. He kept doing this until he had a large piece, three times his own size. He took one corner in each claw, and let himself fall backwards, down from the top. It was a very crowded tree. The growth from top to bottom was extremely dense. It cannot be said he sailed down from above, more bounced than anything. He bounced and he bounced and he bounced. From one branch to the other…sideways, backwards and forwards. Hanging upside down, he could not see where he was going. Much to his surprise, he found the jungle floor. It was not a soft landing.
Excerpt Two
Taken from Chapter Six – Mungai’s Furtive Arrangements
The next day Mungai took Goa on a journey. They left the jungle and moved into the forest, and kept going until they arrived at a huge over-ground burrow hidden amongst some trees.
“What ith thith?” asked Goa.
“This,” answered Mungai proudly. “Is a paper mill.”
“What doeth it do?” She asked again.
“It takes the logs, grinds them up, mixes them with water and turns them into pulp. It presses the pulp into sheets and they become paper for the two-legs to use.” Mungai seemed very well-informed. Goa couldn’t grasp it at all.
“Well, well, well,” came a voice from behind them. “Mungai! Loose again! I thought you was gone for good this time, mate.”
”Mungai turned round to greet the voice. Realising it was a two-leg, Goa shot underneath the building in fear.
“Hello, Joe,” said Mungai. “Thought I’d come and see how you’re doing.”
He noticed the pleasant smell of honey and exotic fruits as Mungai got closer to him. Joe liked honey. He was a small scruffy two-leg of indeterminate age. He spoke badly and slouched a lot. His clothes did not fit him properly, nor did he look very clean. Goa was not impressed, and wondered if Joe had inspired Mungai’s description of the two-leg he had pretended to see in the forest. She hissed again, but was ignored by both of them.
“Come inside out of the sun,” invited Joe.
He knew whatever Mungai had planned would probably be against the laws made by the two-legs, and most certainly dangerous to any other creatures involved. He also knew, whatever it was, he would profit well out of it as he had done so many times in the past.
amazon.com $3.25 amazon.co.uk £2.04 Paperback $9.95
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I would like to take a quick break from blogging about wildlife and the environment for this post and thank my fellow blogger, Kevin Cooper (The Brit), for his review of Mungai and the Goa Constrictor. I am always really thrilled and flattered when someone who follows my blog actually buys my book as well, but even more so when they take the time to say what they think about it. Thank you Kev, you’ve lightened my day.
Mungai and the Goa Constrictor 