Educator’s Guide
Includes Common Core
State Standards Correlations
The Herd Boy
Written and Illustrated by
Niki Daly
Pweew! Pweew! Malusi’s shrill whistling
drives the sheep out of grandfather’s kraal.
By the time they reach the grazing slopes,
the earth is hot beneath his bare feet.
He keeps the sheep and goats from straying
towards the deep donga, which is easy to fall
into but hard to climb out of. You have to
be awake, and you have to be brave, to be a
herd boy . . .
Malusi is in charge of looking after his grandfather’s
sheep and goats, though he dreams of being more than
a herd boy someday. This simple and poignant story
explores what it is that gives someone the strength and
integrity to be a great leader.
About the Author and Illustrator Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-8028-5417-9 v $17.00
93⁄4" x 101⁄4" v 32 pages v Ages 6–10
N iki Daly has written and illustrated a number of award-
winning picture books, including Pretty Salma (Clarion),
Ruby Sings the Blues (Bloomsbury), and Jamela’s Dress (Frances
Contact Eerdmans for rights information
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Lincoln). Niki lives in Cape Town, South Africa.
Telephone (toll free): 800-253-7521
Telephone (local): 616-459-4591
Praise for The Herd Boy Fax: 616-459-6540
Email: [email protected]
“Filled with hope and promise, it will inspire children to embrace
their place in life and dream big.”
— School Library Journal (starred review) If you have any suggestions for using
The Herd Boy with young readers,
“Daly’s portrait of rural South African life . . . gives his story an
almost cinematic dimension.” we would be happy to hear from you.
— Publishers Weekly
“Daly provides an opportunity to witness an everyday existence Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
most likely very different from the one led by readers.” 2140 Oak Industrial Dr. NE
— Kirkus Reviews Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505
www.eerdmans.com/youngreaders
THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
v Ambition
Educator’s Guide v Courage
v Leadership
v Responsibility
KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS CRAFT AND STRUCTURE
What is Malusi’s job? What does it take in order for him to The author has included a number of words from Afrikaans
do this job well? (RL.1) and Xhosa. Take a look at the glossary in the back of the
book if you need help figuring out what some of these
Who is Lungisa? How do you think Malusi feels about him,
words mean. Why do you think the author chose to include
and how can you tell? (RL.1)
these words? (RL.4)
What do you think are some of the main themes in The
In the beginning of the book, the author states, “You have
Herd Boy? How are these themes conveyed through the
to be awake, and you have to be brave, to be a herd boy.”
characters and story? (RL.2)
How does the author show throughout the book that
Describe Malusi’s interactions with termites and with the Malusi is brave? (RL.5)
dung beetle. What do these details reveal about Malusi’s
Describe the significance of the book’s ending. Who is the
character? (RL.3)
old man in the shiny car, and what does he say to Malusi?
SPEAKING AND LISTENING / WRITING Why is this significant to Malusi? (RL.5)
Niki Daly asks in the author’s note, “What is there in the INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS
life of a herd boy that would help prepare him to become
the shepherd of a nation?” Have students discuss with each Look at the illustrations in which the black eagle appears.
other how they would answer this question. What are some Why do you think the eagle appears at these particular
things they think Malusi will have to do in order to become moments in the story? What do you think the eagle could
president of his country when he grows up? (SL.1) symbolize? (RL.7)
This story is set in South Africa. Break your students into In addition to the large color illustrations, there are black-
small groups and have each group use print and electronic and-white illustrations above and below the text on each
resources to research one aspect of the country: biodiver- page. How do these small illustrations complement the
sity, culture, geography, government, history, etc. Have the larger ones, and how do they relate to the text? (RL.7)
groups share their findings with the class. (SL.4 / W.7) Niki Daly is the author and illustrator of many picture
The old man in the shiny car whom Malusi and Lungisa books. Share more of his work with your class. Do you see
meet is Nelson Mandela. Use this story as an opportunity any common themes in his books? Do any of his characters
to introduce your students to the life of this revered world share similarities? (RL.9)
leader. Have students write a short paragraph summarizing
Mandela’s significance in this story. (SL.2 / W.2) RECOMMENDED FURTHER READING
Have students write a paragraph about the illustration they Javaherbin, Mina. Goal! Illus. A.G. Ford. Candlewick, 2010.
like best. What about it do they find most appealing? What McDonough, Yona Zeldis. Peaceful Protest: The Life of Nelson
feelings and thoughts does it evoke? How does it relate to Mandela. Illus. Malach Zeldis. Walker, 2002.
the text? (W.1)
Nelson, Kadir. Nelson Mandela. Harper, 2012.
VOCABULARY USE AND ACQUISITION Tutu, Desmond and Douglas Carlton Abrams. Desmond and
Look for the following words in The Herd Boy: cautiously, the Very Mean Word. Illus. A.G. Ford. Candlewick, 2013.
challenge, column, curdled, puff adder, troop. Can you
guess the meaning from the context? If not, use an online
or print dictionary to find their meaning. (L.4)
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