Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee finds Adventure

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Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee finds Adventure
Illustrated by Jessica Bosworth Smith
Written by Matthew Griffiths
Designed by Lauren Nel
Edited by Diane Awerbuck
with the help of the Book Dash participants in Cape Town on 2 December 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-928442-11-0
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Jessica Bosworth Smith      Matthew Griffiths      Lauren Nel

Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee lived in the ocean. All day long she clung to the same slippery rock with her single big foot. Her tiny tentacles caught tasty treats.

On days when she felt cross, her stinging tentacles kept the other creatures away.

But today her rock felt lonely.

“I have no fins.

I have no feet.

I am different to every other creature.”

“Even that hermit crab is off having adventures!”

“Save me! That fish wants to pluck me out of my shell!”

Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee whipped up her stinging tentacles and hid the hermit underneath them.

“Go away, you big bully!”
The big fish bared his teeth, but was afraid of being stung.

He gave up and swam away with a cheeky flick of his tail.
“That was close!” said the crab. “Is it safe now?”

“You can come out, Crab. What’s your name?”
“Herman. I’m a hermit, but I think I need a bodyguard. I wish I was as brave as you!”

“I’m Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee. I wish I had amazing adventures like you.”

“But why don’t you?” He asked.

“I’m stuck to my rock. And I don’t have legs!” She replied.

“Well, I don’t have stings, but I do have an idea!”

Herman took Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee by the tentacle and danced around her, pulling silly faces.

First Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee snorted, and then she giggled — and then she laughed so hard she popped right off her rock.

Herman gently picked her up and settled her on his shell.
“Are you ready? I feel an adventure coming on.” He said.

Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee adventures all over the ocean, catching tasty treats.

Now she only uses her stinging tentacles to keep the nasty fish away from Herman.

And she never, ever feels lonely.

Photo credit: Prof. C.L. Griffiths