This is one of Barbara Makhalisa’s children books and it is written in simple English such that even a Grade 1 student can read the book and really appreciate it. It is actually targeted at this age group.

It is a story of a little calf. To use a little calf to tell the story off the life of cattle, Makhalisa is wants to have children identify with a calf; young as they are. This is reader identification which the author achieves fully.

She discusses the relationship that the little calf’s family has with other domestic animals like sheep, goats and donkeys. The friendship between these animals are a good example of  harmony and it will be a good lesson for young people to appreciate other people from their neighbourhood and other tribes.

It also tells the benefits that humans have gained from cattle such as milk and its products and beef and its products.

Makhalisa has achieved a rare feat by doing the role that her grandmother would have done around the fire years ago. It is only that, unlike her grandmother, she has put down the words in writing. Writing for children is the most urgent need in Africa today, and it is now up to parents to encourage their children to read.