Akimbo

Alexander McCall Smith, New York Times best-selling author of the acclaimed #1 Ladies' Detective Agency) series, captures the hearts and imaginations of young listeners with the unique and tender tale of Akimbo and his lion, Simba. When Akimbo and his park ranger father accidentally capture a lion cub, Akimbo decides to name it Simba and care for it. The two soon become inseparable. But when Simba grows too big, Akimbo must make the right choice for his wild friend.

When a visiting croc expert invites Akimbo along on a field study, Akimbo is thrilled. But when the crocodiles attack the guide, injuring him gravely, it will be up to Akimbo to cross a crocodile-infested river and jump start a truck to bring back help. A rousing new Akimbo adventure from bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith.

Born in Zimbabwe, New York Times best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith uses his first-hand knowledge of Africa to connect with his young audience and supply his Akimbo chapter books with vivid details. In a central African animal sanctuary, young Akimbo sees the carcass of a mother elephant rotting in the sun. Hearing that his ranger father rarely catches these killers, Akimbo hatches a secret plan to apprehend these villains himself. But are the dangers too daunting for this aspiring hero?

Best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith pens a tale that's sure to please children and their parents. Ten-year-old Akimbo gets to spend several days with his uncle Peter at his east African snake park! His uncle first takes him on a tour of the snake-filled sanctuary. Soon Akimbo learns important facts about snakes and helps his uncle with various tasks from milking cobra venom to feeding constrictors. But when local livestock begin dropping dead, he and his uncle must capture the offending green mamba-a rare and deadly snake.