Langutani’s Trick

WATCH

PARENT-TEACHER GUIDE

Langutani's Trick

Average Rating: 0.0

Country: South Africa

Publisher: Room to Read

Author: Langutani Christopher Makhubele

Ages: 3–5

Illustrator: Stephen Wallace

Theme: Culture & Tradition

About The Story

Langutani lives in a rural part of South Africa, where he helps his father on their family farm. But trouble is afoot—baboons keep sneaking in and eating their crops! Despite trying many things like chasing them off and putting up barbed wire, the baboons are unafraid and keep coming back. Langutani and his father are at their wits’ end, until Langutani comes up with a clever and funny solution that finally works!

This story shows that children can be problem-solvers too—and that innovation can come from any corner of the world, even a small village farm.

Themes

Social & Emotional learning (SEL)

Sub Themes

Problem-solving

Humour

Livelihoods

Parent-Teacher Guide

Learning Outcome

Understand that even young children can solve problems.
Explore how nature and animals impact farm life.
Recognize that good ideas can come from anywhere—city or village.
Use their own creativity to imagine solutions.
Learn to listen, collaborate, and share ideas.

Lesson Plan

Use this story to encourage laughter, discussion, and a sense of capability among young children. Let them feel their ideas matter!

Activities

Act It Out: Pretend to be baboons and Langutani—make it funny and fun!
Idea Box: Children draw or write a solution to a problem they face at home or school.
Poster Power: Create posters titled “My Big Idea!” with drawings of themselves as problem solvers.
Link it: Discuss the story of Beti’s Bulldozer. How did she help solve a construction issue? What skill did she use?

Story Discussion Guide

Before reading

What would you do if animals kept eating your food?
Have you ever come up with an idea to solve a problem?

During reading

What are the baboons doing?
What ideas do Langutani and his father try?
What do YOU think Langutani could try to stop the baboons? (List and applaud children’s suggestions!)

After reading

What made Langutani’s idea work?
How do you think his father felt?
Can kids be great problem solvers too?

Applicable Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 4: Quality Education

Reinforces that learning—including critical thinking and problem-solving—can happen outside classrooms, through lived experiences.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Highlights the importance of protecting crops and ensuring food security for farming families.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Encourages thoughtful, sustainable ways of managing resources and dealing with challenges without harm.

Comments

There are no comments