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The Things That Really Matter

What are the most important things to take with you on a trip? Join Zuki, Tando, Mama and Papa on their eventful journey to find out.

Suggested age: 4–6岁 · Reading level L2 · 14 illustrated pages

The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 1, English text included

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This book can be read page by page, heard with synthetic Voice 7 narration, downloaded and printed. Enable JavaScript for the interactive reader, or open the story pages below.

What are the most important things to take with you on a trip? Join Zuki, Tando, Mama and Papa on their eventful journey to find out.

Read all 14 story pages
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 1, English text included
The Things That Really Matter
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 2, English text included
We are going on a trip. I ask Mama what to pack. She says, 'The things that really matter.'
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 3, English text included
We stop at the windmill for breakfast. The jungle gym is so much fun. I forget my toy.
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 4, English text included
I am sad in the car, but Tando is happy. "Hooray! Now you can play with me!" he says.
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 5, English text included
We stop at a farm to see some animals. Tando is searching so hard for a springbok, a monkey gets away with his headphones.
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 6, English text included
He is sad in the car, but I am happy. 'Hooray! Now you can sing with me!' I say.
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 7, English text included
We stop at a roaring waterfall. We are so excited, we are pushing and pulling. Papa falls in the water, and so does his map.
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 8, English text included
He is sad in the car, but Mama is happy. 'Hooray! Now I can help you find our way!' she says.
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 9, English text included
We stop at the roadside vendor to buy some mielies. Mama bends over to pick the best ones, and her glasses fall and break.
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 10, English text included
Mama is sad in the car, but Papa is happy. "Hooray! Now we can find our way together!" Papa says.
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 11, English text included
We stop on an ancient hill to get a view of the valley. Papa is making silly jokes for us to smile for the picture, but...
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 12, English text included
when we get back to the car, it won’t start. Everyone stops laughing. "Don’t worry..." says Mama. "We can still have a good time. We are the things that really matter."
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 13, English text included
And so, we do have a good time. By playing and singing and finding our way together, while enjoying the best mielies.
The Things That Really Matter — original illustrated page 14, English text included

Creators and open license

Written by
Refiloe Moahloli
Illustrated by
Subi Bosa
Created by
Refiloe Moahloli (Writer); Natalie Pierre-Eugene (Designer); Subi Bosa (Illustrator); Louis Greenberg (Editor)

Source: Book Dash
Original: The Things That Really Matter from Book Dash
License: CC BY 4.0

Original illustrated spreads and embedded English story text preserved; website layout and printable PDF assembled by Little Leaf. Age, level, theme and recommendation are editorial suggestions. Web and printable layout adapted by Little Leaf. Age and reading-level suggestions are editorial. Original stories and artwork belong to their credited creators. Website narration uses the selected synthetic Voice 7.