Zak the Yak With Books on His Back
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World Change Starts with Educated Children. Abin Shrestha is a well-known cartoonist of Nepal. Thousands of his cartoons have been published in various newspapers and magazines. His cartoons are well recognized and popular amongst all sectors of society. His cartoons have been exhibited many times. He has also been honoured and awarded many times. His cartoon collection has also published named ‘Abin’s Cartoon Collection - part 1’. Additionally, he has also illustrated many children’s books and comics. He graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the Tribhuwan University. He has illustrated many children’s books including the ‘Room to Read’ publications . Currently Mr. Shrestha is associated to Kantipur Publications as a senior cartoonist. Illustrator: Abin Shrestha John Wood is the Founder and Chairman of Room to Read. He grew up in a family that loved books and reading, and with access to a local library. So when a headmaster in Nepal showed him an empty library, and over 400 students who wanted to learn to read, it was only natural that he would try to help them. John eventually returned to the village of Bahundanda with thousands of books, and shortly thereafter quit his executive position with Microsoft to start Room to Read. Zak the Yak with Books on His Back was written to celebrate the ten year anniversary of Room to Read in 2010. The book salutes the organization’s humble beginnings, while also celebrating the opening of our 10,000th Reading Room. 5 million children like Arul and Manju now have access to Room to Read’s libraries across nine countries in Africa and Asia. Author: John Wood
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Transcript of Zak the Yak With Books on His Back
World Change Starts with Educated Children.
Abin Shrestha is a well-known cartoonist of Nepal. Thousands of his cartoons have been published in various newspapers and magazines. His cartoons are well recognized and popular amongst all sectors of society. His cartoons have been exhibited many times. He has also been honoured and awarded many times. His cartoon collection has also published named ‘Abin’s Cartoon Collection - part 1’. Additionally, he has also illustrated many children’s books and comics. He graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the Tribhuwan University. He has illustrated many children’s books including the ‘Room to Read’ publications . Currently Mr. Shrestha is associated to Kantipur Publications as a senior cartoonist.
Illustrator:
Abin Shrestha
John Wood is the Founder and Chairman of Room to Read. He grew up in a family that loved books and reading, and with access to a local library. So when a headmaster in Nepal showed him an empty library, and over 400 students who wanted to learn to read, it was only natural that he would try to help them. John eventually returned to the village of Bahundanda with thousands of books, and shortly thereafter quit his executive position with Microsoft to start Room to Read. Zak the Yak with Books on His Back was written to celebrate the ten year anniversary of Room to Read in 2010. The book salutes the organization’s humble beginnings, while also celebrating the opening of our 10,000th Reading Room. 5 million children like Arul and Manju now have access to Room to Read’s libraries across nine countries in Africa and Asia.
Author:
John Wood
Written by
John Wood
Illustrated by
Abin Shrestha
Zak The Yak, With Books On His Back
Written by : John WoodIllustrated by : Abin Shrestha
Copyright :
Edited by : ..............................................................
Printed by : ..............................................................
Edition : 1st Edition (2010)
Published by : ........................................................................................................... ............. ....................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ............. ....................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ............. ....................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ............. ....................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ............. .......................................................................................................
ISBN : ..............................................................
Price: ..............................................................
Publisher’s Note
This book was written and illustrated in honor
of Room to Read’s ten year anniversary. All
profits from sales will allow Room to Read to
publish additional local language children’s
books. Each dollar of profit means one additional
book in the hands of a child somewhere in the
developing world. We hope you will help us
to bring the lifelong gift of literacy to many
millions of children, and set them on the path
to becoming independent readers.
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In the land of NepalThe hills are so highThat the snow-covered peaksAlmost block out the sky
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The view is so stunningYou will stare for hoursThese mountains, it is saidHave magical powers
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But living is toughUp here in the hillsHowling winds and cold weatherCause bone-numbing chills
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The peaks are so steepAnd the rivers so wideThat a very short journeyCan mean a very long ride
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A ride on a donkeyOr perhaps a big yakFor a land without roadsIs a land made for Zak
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“Who is Zak?”, you may cryWith ear-piercing clatter“And what is a yak?”“And why do they matter?”
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Yaks are very big beastsWith horns oh so longThey thrive in high placesAnd have legs that are strong
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As for Zak; well this yakHe is one of a kindWith a big friendly smileAnd a razor-sharp mind
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He climbs high mountain passesWith big heavy loadsHe is not at all worriedThat Nepal has few roads
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He loves to drink teaWhile enjoying the viewAnd to talk to the localsTo fi nd out what‛s new
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At each high mountain villageThey know him by nameFor a yak that can talkWell, he‛s destined for fame
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One of Zak‛s favorite stopsWas the town Bahundanda It has stunning mountain viewsOf which Zak is quite fond-a
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At his usual tea shoppeHe was asked to sit downBy the local head-masterWhose face wore a frown
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As the two new friends chattedZak learned a sad tale“We want to run a great schoolBut each day we fail”
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“Our students, so manyBut our books; oh so fewWe want them to learnBut what can we do?”
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“This is so wrong”, said Zak“There‛s such a great need.Every child who wants toShould be able to read.”
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“But our village is poorOur resources near zeroIf you could help change thisYou‛d be such a hero!”
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“I‛d love to”, said ZakHis face lit with a smile“For the sake of these studentsI‛d walk many a mile”
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The headmaster and teachersLet off a big cheerAfter years of long waitingTheir solution was here
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“But wait, there‛s a problemYaks do not carry cashHow can I purchase booksWithout a large stash?”
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“We must ask for assistanceIn this most noble questThere is so much at stakeWe must work without rest”
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“We‛ll fi nd people with moneyWho want life to be fairWhen they hear of our studentsThey‛ll be willing to share”
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“We will ask them for cashOr to run a book driveAnd once they say YESOur library will thrive” 28
“We‛ll send hundreds of emailsTo build excitement and hypeI just hope that these hoovesWill allow me to type”
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“You‛ll need help in the cityTo get the job doneAs your special assistantsMeet my daughter and son”
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“Arul just turned twelveHe‛s a hard-working ladHis devotion to studiesMakes me a proud dad”
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“A friendly young girlLittle Manju is tenShe will help you collectRupees, dollars and yen”
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“Many hearts will be meltedBy her radiant smileWe‛ll have so many booksA Mount Everest-sized pile”
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“Let‛s get moving”, yelled ZakWho broke into a run“For the sooner we startThen the sooner we‛re done!”
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“We‛ll miss you”, cried Manju“But we‛ll come back quite soonWhen the kids see the booksThey‛ll be over the moon!”
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Our three heroes, they walkedUp and down the long trailThe marched on despite snowIcy winds, rain and hail
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“Yak fur, by its natureIt is thick and quite warmPlease bundle up on my backUntil we get through this storm”
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Feeling warm, safe and snugThey dozed off for hoursZak climbed hills and crossed riversWith his stunning yak powers!
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When the siblings awokeThe land around them was fl atThey were out of the mountainsAnd were thankful for that
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In the distance they spiedThrough the haze and the dewCould it be? Yes it was!Hooray! Yippee!! Katmandu!
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“We‛re here just in timeFor the start of the dayWe‛ll eat eggs, toast and teaAnd then get on our way”
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“As you slept, I made callsOn my hands-free Yak-PhoneAnd there‛s good news, my friendsWe will not work alone”
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“As I shared our bold plansTo bring books to the mountainsPeople‛s offers to help usStarted gushing like fountains”
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“A man who climbed EverestI helped get to the topHe‛s rich and loves childrenSo he‛ll be our fi rst stop!”
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A bookstore owner named ShilpiShe said “Zak, won‛t you hurry?”I have so much to giveThat there‛s only one worry
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“And that‛s whether you haveEnough room on your backBecause one thousand booksRequire a very strong yak!”
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“I‛m so happy”, said ManjuAs she gulped down her tea“Let‛s get moving; eat fasterWe‛ve many people to see!”
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As the news got aroundThe streets were aliveMany people were inspiredTo help this book drive
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Two boys of age eightWalked up to Arul“I‛m so inspired”, they said“To give help to your school”
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After three days of visitsAll across KathmanduZak was fully loadedWith books old and new
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Arul and Manju were keepingA very accurate countFive thousand, one hundred booksA truly stunning amount!
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“I can‛t wait to get homeThe students will cheer and cryWhen they see all these booksThat reach up to the sky”
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As the Yak Mobile walked westGuess what formed? A parade!Our heroes were escortedBy the new friends they‛d made
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“Goodbye and Safe Travels!We‛re so proud to have playedA small part in this inspiringSuccess that you‛ve made!”
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Zak walked slowly and carefullyBut still the stack swayedOf a children‛s book avalancheHe was slightly afraid
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But with each step he moved fasterAnd soon he was runningAs each hoof hit the earthThe impact was stunning!
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They ran through the hillsFor three days and two nightsAs they carried their treasureUp, up, up to new heights
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In the village was heardA loud and excited cryAs the word went aroundThat the trio was nearby
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The students and teachersLined up with their fl owersAs our heroes returnedThe petals came down in showers
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The students each grabbedA big stack of booksTheir faces lit upWith the happiest looks
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“Three big cheers for ZakAnd for Lucy and ArulThis is the best dayIn the history of our school!”
