Water-holes come in a lot of different sizes and settings. A lot of them are natural, but they can also be manmade. Some even have floodlights and seating areas, like in a stadium. Falling asleep in this arena can be quite dangerous at night. But most of the time, watching wildlife around a water-hole is magical. The animals come and go at their own pace. Some come alone, others arrive in groups. They might have a bath or just a quick sip. Predators often have the hole to themselves, whilst others have to fight for a spot. The waterhole in Phanhabs Savanna is of course a “phantastic” waterhole. It combines a lot of animals and many waterholes in one picture. The pictures for this illustration, which is a segment of Phanhabs Savanna, were taken in the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta and in Amboseli National Park. More information about Phanhabs in the twikga books portfolio…

After a lazy afternoon, Tata&Squack are allowed to ride on the back of Noor, the matriarch of the royal family. They are impressed by her skills. She guides the elephants carefully over the plains in search of water and food. Near the hills baboons of all sizes suddenly appear. The males are large and impressive, most of the females have babies clinging to their bellies or sitting on their backs. “Where are they heading, Noor?” Tata asks. “Do you see the rocks, high on the hill?” says Noor. “The baboons spend the night up there. At the end of the day it is a warm sunny place to sit and not many predators are able to attack them up there.” They see a string of baboons, big and small, zigzagging up the hill. What a funny parade. More information about Tata&Squack in the twikga books portfolio…

The Phanhabs illustrations show how the wild animals in the African Lush Bush spend their day playing, hunting, feeding and sleeping. Unfortunately this also means “eat and be eaten”. Many people ask me whether I think this is children’s book material? Yes, I do, with certain limits. I think it is important that children learn to understand that each living creature has it’s own life cycle. To survive each organism needs different things, like food, water, oxygen. Some animals eat plants, others, for example lions need meat to maintain their high energy level. In the book I decided to symbolize this topic by picturing a bird eating a frog. The lions are eating indistinct bones and the crocodile is still waiting for its prey to come by. Children’s book material. More information about Phanhabs in the twikga books portfolio…

On their adventurous journey, together with their new elephant friend Harry, Tata&Squack finally get to meet his family, the Royals. Harry starts running towards the river as fast as his legs can carry him, trumpeting happily. Joyfully he races into a group of elephants, bathing in the river. Trunks intertwine with his, hugging him fondly. The entire herd rumbles a welcome. Princes and princesses run into the water, their ears flapping, splashing one another with water. They see the older elephants join in the fun as they watch over the little ones. Crocodiles are never far away. Harry runs to a grand lady touching her with his trunk to greet her. “Harry, where have you been?” she asks, her trunk caressing him. Harry seems a little embarrassed by her attention. “You know me, Grandmother Noor,” he says. “I like to explore the savannah. Look who I brought with me, two new friends, Tata and Squack.” More information about Tata&Squack in the twikga books portfolio…

“Expedition Savannah!  Jump on my back,” says Harry, their new elephant friend, with sparkling eyes. Tata&Squack climb on his back, ready for a new adventure. While walking silently through the bush, the sun wakes up on the other side of the river. They join Harry for breakfast and find out that he loves veggies and how he uses his trunk like a hand with two fingers, to strip an entire branch of its leaves. Harry seems to be fearless, as he is one of the biggest mammal that walks the surface of the earth, a Loxodonta africana. He brags that lions only attack baby elephants. But the adventure is yet to begin…

More information about Tata&Squack in the twikga books portfolio…