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103 Basenjis in Fiction
These fictional books sometimes are about Basenjis or feature Basenjis. Some books just have Basenjis as a small part in the story. The list is divided into two sections with Part 1 featuring books where Basenjis play a large part. Part 2 has books that mention Basenjis. There used to be just a few of these books but in recent years the list has grown tremendously. This list is not a complete and does not include stories and articles appearing in magazines.
Part 1
Anderson, Anglea Editor, 1998, Yodels, Wails and Basenji Tails, Pam Maremont, 137 pages. A collection of stories from the internet.
Basenji Bards, Verses 'n Curses, Basenji Club of Victoria, 26 pages. From the foreward: "Most of these verses have been printed in the Basenji Bi-Monthly since the magazine was first published." Also six photographs are included.
Basenji Rescue and Transport, 2013, The Cookbook of Brats, 183 pages. Recipes and 22 original Basenji illustrations, Basenji history, famous dog quotes, and food tips.
Badon, Celia L.,1995, The Homecoming, Northeast Pub., 290 pages. Science fiction story with two Basenjis.
Basenji University, 2009, Basenji Coloring and Activities Book, BCOA, 24 pages. Coloring projects for children.
Benjamin, Carol Lea, 1996, This Dog for Hire, A Dell Book, 293 pages. A detective in search of a missing Basenji.
Chandler, Ruth Forbes, 1961, Middle Island Mystery, Abelard-Schuman, 160 pages. Appears to be a mystery for teenagers.
Coe, Jon and Susan, 1975, Curly Tales and Other Basenji Nonsense, self-published, 108 pages. Poems, songs and stories about Basenjis.
Dehass, A.C., 1980, Basenji Fever, Stockwell, 16 pages. Poems about Basenjis.
Dixon, Paige, 1980, Walk My Way, Atheneum, NY, 139 pages. Story of a 14-year-old girls who finds a basenji in the story.
Hamon Jane, 2006, Pip, Trafford Publishing, 177 pages. Pip is the story of a young boy, Jamie, and his dog, Pip (a Basenji), living in Tennessee during the relocation of the Cherokees from Georgia to Oklahoma in the infamous "Trail of Tears." Pip shows how a child views an event that is horrible, and inside knows that it is horrible, but outside hears adults speak of it as a non-event.
Hasler, Julie S, 1992, Egyptian Charted Designs, Dover Publications, 50 pages. Contains a stylized Basenji pattern.
Hingley, Michael, 1997, Reigning Cats and Dogs: History Redrawn, Howell Book House, 96 pages. Humorous stories including perspective from a Basenji among other dogs.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, 2003, Story of Tongdaeng, Amarin Phrinting and Pub. Co., 83 pages. The King writes of his Basenji-like dog who is bred to a purebred Basenji as part of the story.
Kennedy, Pamela, 2005, Rou's Tips for Basenjis, self-published, 35 pages. Life tips from a Basenji's perspective.
Korolev, Nick, 2000, Kifri, The Dog that Chose to Live with Man, Xlibris Corp., 126 pages. Illustrated story of a young bushman in Africa, on the cusp of manhood. He befriends a young dog, and introduces her to the tribe.
Murray, Louise G., 1997, The Dogs of Our Lives: Heartwarming Reminiscences of Canine Companions, Carol Pub., 362 pages. Includes three stories from Sally Ann Smith about her Basenjis.
Oestman, Charlene and Winston, Jane, 2001,Voices of Michigan: An Anthology of Michigan Authors, Volume 3, MackinacJane's Pub. Co., 280 pages. One story by Veronica Anne Starbuck about love and devotion between a man and his Basenji.
Putman, Lisa, 2013, Bad Basenji, New Classic Publications, LLC, 32 pages with illustrations by Bradley Clark. Children's book: "A young girl describes the silly antics of her mischievous dog, Bongo. Just when it seems as though Bongo is always misbehaving, the girl remembers everything good about him."
Reilly, Kit, 2011, Sweet Scarlet Basenji, Sweet Scarlet Basenji, 32 pages. A story about a dog, a boy and a hope for the cure for diabetes.
Ritlaw, Catherine, Binti, Adventures with a Basenji.
Ryhorchuk, Gill, 1980, A Dingo in the Family, Inkata Press, 188 pages. Experiences with both dingos and Basenjis.
Slater, Cynthia, 2008, Qtutu Follows Through: Tales of an African Basenji, Authorhouse, 88 pages. "If you were to step on an African Beetle, then trudge a mile on a baked and rutted road, Qtutu could follow the faint beetle scent and find you. After all, he is a Basenji, a dog used by African tribesmen to track lions, a breed so old it is depicted on the ancient walls of the Pharaohs. In this boo, "Qtutu Follows Through", our hero's other qualities stand out: tenacity, creativity and pluck. He wins young readers' hearts as he rescues Missy, an Albino Chimp, from poachers, teaches tricks to Porxina the pig, and protects baby bats from intruders. All this without being able to bark! Qtutu Follows Through will enchant young readers and amuse parents and teachers who read to them. The readership target is grades five through seven." (from Amazon.com)
Smith, Sally Ann, 1991, Candle: A Story of Love and Faith, Doral Publishing. "Learn more about this fascinating little tale and the Basenji breed. A book every household who loves dogs needs to have for their collection.The children will love it, and it will bring a tear to your eyes as well." from Google Books
Starbuck, Veronica Anne, 2000, Heart of the Savannah, Windigo Harbor Media, 261 pages. Savannah, a Basenji, narrates this story about her adventures as an African-bred dog brought to America.
Starbuck, Veronica Anne, 2000, Autumn Magic, Windigo Harbor Media, 315 pages. Sequel to Heart of the Savannah.
Street, James, 1954, Good-bye My Lady, J. B. Lippincott Co., 222 pages, digitised, reissued many times. The classic Basenji story also made into a movie of the same name.
Tring, Stephen A., 1966, CHAD, Reindeer Books. Child's story.
Troisi-Hoerr, Carmella, 1985, Basenjis Charted for Counted Cross-Stitch, HCH Ltd, 16 pages with 15 designs to stitch. More Basenjis Charted for Counted Cross-Stitch is more recent and Carmella is now shifting her work to online Ebooks.
Vavra, Robert, 1958, Canis Basenji, BCOA, 50 pages. A cartoon book about life with Basenjis.
Woodard, Marcia, 2010, Collected Kona: Brief Takes on a Basenji, Tiny Tiny Press. Funny and touching stories of her dog Kona combine to give a portrait not only of crazy Kona, but of Marcia, her husband, and their extended Basenji family. With full-color photographs to showcase the beauty of this ancient African breed,
Wylie, Jill, 1979, Call of the Marsh: Life with a Basenji, Books of Rhodesia, 302 pages. Again available! Basenji lovers the world over will appreciate the re-issue of Jill Wylie’s book, “Call: Life with a Basenji”, relating dog-rescue and wildlife rehabilitation adventures in eastern Zimbabwe. By turns funny, heart-wrenching, lyrical and instructive for all dog trainers, it’s available in hard copy and e-book from Megabooks: http://megabooks.co.za/shop/call-life-with-a-basenji/ See also her sequels, (Echoing Green Press) and “Wildwoods: The making of a wildlife sanctuary” (http://megabooks.co.za/shop/wildwoods-the-making-of-a-wildlife-sanctuary/
Part 2
Abbott, Deborah, 1991, From A to Z in Sophisticated Ways, Probable history of 26 patchwork patterns including B for Basenji.
Anthony, Piers, 1987, Shade of the Tree, Tom Doherty Associates, 352 pages, science ficiton/fanstasy with two Basenji in the story.
Bay State Basenji Club, 2006, New Wrinkles in Thyme, Morris Press, A cookbook with recipes collected from Basenji fanciers with sales being donated to Basenji health research.
Cameron, Rex, Where Are You To?, Clear Water Books.
Cavanna, Betty, 1952, Pick of the Litter Betty Cavanna's Favorite Dog Stories, Westminster Press, 222 pages. From NY Times review: “…New Books for Younger Readers ... The canine heroes and heroines range from the aristocratic mongrel of Don Marquis' "Blood Will Tell" to the African Basenji in James Street's…” One of many places James Street's story has been republshed.
Cleveland, Simon, 2004, The Basenji Revelation, Lulu Press. From Simon Cleveland's website: "Bizarre occurrences haunt a family in their suburban home. At first, the husband’s peculiar mood swings, weird food preferences and a strange case of amnesia only occasionally scare his wife…that is until the morning when it all changed. Now, the mysterious language he speaks can hardly be ignored and the dog’s eerie stares don’t seem coincidental any longer. The wife turns to a doctor, but could her instinct be right about the psychologist’s perplexed manner? And when did an Egyptologist, who’s after his own obsessions, get drawn into the family drama? Soon, both husband and wife find themselves entangled in a spiral of fear, premonitions and a mysterious fate."
Cockburn, C., 1984, Cockburn Sums Up, Quartet Books Ltd., 270 pages. Just a small Basenji reference, a reference to Amataganzig.
Cockburn, Patricia, 1985, Figure of Eight, Chatto & Windus, 243 pages, digitised. Biographical with reference to involvement with Zig the Basenji, the breed's Amataganzig.
Darling, Tara and Darling, Kathy, 1995, In Praise of Dogs: A Photo Tribute, Howell Book House, 192 pages. A coffee table book which includes two Basenjis in two photos.
Ernshwiller, Carol, 2004, Carmen Dog, Small Beer Press, 148 pages, digitised. Chapter 6 is entitled "A Powerful Leave-Taking:" Essay and poem in memory of the death of a Basenji.
LaFosse, Michael J., 2002. Making Origami Christmas Decorations Step by Step, The Rosen Publishing Group, 24 pages, digitised. A how-to book with a paragraph about the breed, photo and directions for origami for kids. Seems also to be a how-to-draw book.
Glaesner, Howard R., 2007,They Have Feelings Too: Memoir of a Veterinarian, AuthorHouse, 372 pages. Description of a Basenji patient on page 313.
Goudsouzian, Aram, 2004, Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon, UNC Press, 480 pages, digitised. Two pages are devoted to Poiter's experience in the movie "Good-Bye, My Lady." You can link to this excerpt in the Basenji Timeline.
Gutierrez, Menchu, 1994, Basenji (Femenino Singular). Editorial Lumen , in Spanish, 137 pages, digitised.
Han, Suyin, 1952, A Many Splendored Thing, Little Brown, 366 pages, digitised. A romance that includes two Basenji characters based on two dogs that belonged to Sheila Anderson, Glenairley Basenjis.
Kenworthy, Mary Lou, 2010, Plant Life, AuthorHouse, digitised. A move from Pennsylvania to Georgia for better work was an adventurous and exciting time for Marie. She maintained her hobby with the dogs while earning a living and fulfilling other obligations. Marie’s intestinal fortitude helped her through the hard times on her way to realizing her dream. Sub-plot about Basenjis and showing.
Leeds, Joshua and Wagner, Susan, 2008, Through a Dog's Ear, Using Sound to Improve the Health & Behavior of Your Canine Companion, Sounds True, 161 pages, digitised. Psychoacoustic expert Leeds and veterinary neurologist Wagner use the latest science on how dogs hear and react to sound. They offer ideas for turning sound into a tool to help canines overcome separation anxiety, aggression, thunderstorm panic, and other behavior challenges. Includes CD. Cover has two Basenjis.
Mehra, Jagdish, 1994, The Beat of a Different Drum: the Life and Science of Richard Feynman, Clarendon Press, 640 pages. Just a mention of the renowned physicist's personal Basenji named Ruwenzori.
Mengham, Rod, 2010,The Salt Companion to John Tranter, Salt Publishing, 268 pages. "This volume of essays covers all periods of the published output of John Tranter, whose standing as one of the most important figures in modern Australian poetry is now assured." On the books website there is a nice write up about Basenjis. Mr. Tranter emailed that the photo with "Biscuit" is a favorite of his and there is no further mention of Basenjis in the book. Cover photographer: Elizabeth Gillam.
Metcalf, Allan A., 1999, The World in So Many Words: A Country-by-Country Tour of Words that have Shaped our Language, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 298 pages. Only a couple of short pages on the source of the word Basenji. One photo of a tri-color.
Milligan Spike, 1943, Spike Milligan: A Biography, Chapter: "Mussolini: His Part in My Downfall", Granada, 318 pages, digitised Just one small reference.
Nason, K.D., 1936, The Dog with a Bad Name, Country LifeLlimited, 99 pages, illustrated by C. G. C. Foster. No details known as to actual content.
Orkoma, Marja, 2009,Tanssiva tassu, Mäkelä, 232 pages in Finnish. A story of a veternarian with a basenji on the cover. The book is a part of "Status of the Nightingale" series.
Rendell, Ruth, 1992, The Copper Peacock,, Arrow, 177 pages. A collection of short stories with a nice reference to Basenjis.
Rhode, John, Video Director, 2012, Trooper and the Legend of the Golden Key, Auhtors Stephen Beck and Harry Cason, 90 minutes. Family entertainment mystery with a bloodhound star. A second dog in this appears not to be a basenji, but a basenji appears on the cover.
Rybot, Doris, 1966, A Donkey and a Dandelion, Hutchinson., 128 pages. Stories with one including a Basenji and a Basenji on the cover.
Rybot, Doris, 1963, My Kingdom for a Donkey, Chivers P., 144 pages. Includes a Basenji amongst her dogs.
Schettler, Jeff, 2009, Red Dog Rising, Alpine Publications. While this is primarily about the author's work with tracking bloodhounds, it also includes photo of Jeff with his Basenjis.
Smith, Martin, 2007, Compass and Stars, Seabury Books, 110 pages, digitised A series of religious essays. One essay is entitled "Basenji Worship." The essay regards the sacredness of a bond with animals.
Thomas, Gemma, 2011, What Heidi Knows, Xlibris Corporation, 236 pages. One chapter is entitle Educating a Basenji and photo of Basenji on cover.
Buchwald, Art, 1994 (reprint), Leaving Home: A Memoir, Thorndike Press, 345 pages. 24 references to Basenji found by Google search.
Vallack, Gaenor and Mitchell, Kara, 1986, A Basenji Arrives in Sydney, G. Vallack, 10 pages. No review but obviously about a Basenji.
Vavra, Robert, 1988, The Unicorn of Kilimanjaro, W. Morrow, 216 pages, digitised. Some reference to Basenjis and some photos. Well know photographer Vavra has owned several Basenjis over the years.
Wallace, Sally, Recipes for Rescue, self-published. Recipes from Basenji fans around the world and is sold for the aid of Basenji rescue.
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