We began, nearly ten years ago, as a workshop-focused NPO (Not-For Profit-Organization). During hundreds of workshops in rural and township venues, we learned a lot about how to engage – and keep – an interest in books with children between 10 and 13 years of age. Reading at this stage is particularly important, but not […]
CBN in the pandemic – what we are doing Read More »
The Children’s Book Network (CBN) has taken the opportunity to reach more children in other areas of our lovely town. In partnership with the Stanford Library, who graciously allowed us to use the library as a venue for our workshops, and Okkie Smuts Primary School. The workshops are conducted under strict Covid-19 regulations, with only
Stanford Library Workshops Read More »
One of our more difficult tasks is to find stories and texts that are completely suitable for the children we work with. This does NOT mean that everything they read has to come from their own culture. Far from it. We seek out challenging and thought-provoking material from all over the world as well as
Writing the reading material for CBN Read More »
For those with little time available, there is a summary at the end of this article and, to keep things as short as possible, links to particular aspects of this big project that you may be interested in. BACKGROUND Children’s Book Network is now in it’s tenth year of working with children who do not
CBN: Different paths – same destination Read More »
From the very first day, CBN has enjoyed a close and warm association with Rotary both in South Africa and overseas. Richard Parson, recipient of the Paul Harris Award and member of Rotary Cape of Good Hope, saw early on that we needed advice with matters such as a constitution, a board and a bank
Rotary and Children’s Book Network (CBN) Read More »
There is a lot going on. So much, that the website has been a bit neglected. So much to do, that everything else, that is not directly related to children and reading, has been neglected too. But it is time to catch up and keep our friends and supporters in the loop. It is hardly
What has CBN been up to in the last weeks? Read More »
We are hoping to achieve … Always to remember the purpose of CBN, which is to get children reading and enjoying books! BASICs • More accurate registration and membership • Creating a community identity and maybe involving older teenagers from community • A monthly workshop to present each theme (25 children maximum at a time).
CBN Plans from May to July Read More »
A common question, this time with no satisfactory answer. The year of 2020 has had a serious, and very negative, effect on our children. We know this is a global phenomenon and are monitoring reports from elsewhere about how it is being handled. As always, the impact of disaster is greatest on the most vulnerable.
And how are the children? Read More »
This is a short afternoon workshop, after school, and before a long weekend. The aim is to introduce the theme of Colours and leave reading packs and activities that will keep the children occupied over the long weekend. There will be after-school snacks and juice. We will also be launching the programme of films and
Short Workshop 19 March 2021: Theme Colours Read More »
On the last Friday of February, we arranged a meeting with some CBN children. We haven’t been allowed to see them much, not since Covid became the main topic of conversation and ruler of our – and their – lives. But it was time we had an idea of how they were, how they felt,
Level One and rethink Read More »
At the end of February 2021, we conducted a short survey of what the CBN children most enjoyed during their year of Lockdown Learning. The table is filed as a PDF at OUR RECORDS: Their opinions were very varied, but we were especially pleased to see that of the 12 children who participated, most enjoyed
Survey: What the children like Read More »
Please go to: OUR RECORDS at top of page to find the general report and monitoring and evaluation report. Once they have been completed, the financials will be added. (Our finabcial year only ended this week.)
The CBN Annual Report for 2020 is now on our website Read More »
Children’s Book Network is fully prepared to adapt to whatever the current Covid circumstances are. We have full compliance to national regulations and , at all times, and in every case, the safety of our CBN children and our facilitators is uppermost in planning any activities. All children have masks and we replace them regularly
CBN and Covid Readiness Read More »
Below, is a link to a short film made during the hugely successful Stanford Festival, which took place in December between lockdowns. Many of the children you will see here are long-standing CBN members – and our choir was invited to be part of the festivities. The energetic lady dancing, singing and being enormously useful,
Stanford Festival and CBN Children Read More »
This is a picture of the CBN book collection in Lesley’s office. It is made up of: Books from her own collection Books sent for review Books donated and working their way towards the book club Books bought with special donations The critera remains – as always – excellence! Some books which are too difficult
Where do we get our books? Read More »
WEEK 1 (1 March) Cellphone and communications rollout. Daisy and Vuyo to build network. Complete Swimming and all other work in Happiness Books WEEK 2-3 (8 March and 15 March) COLOURS Reading Packs Painting on canvas with acrylic paints WEEK 4-5 (21 March and 28 March) HEARING, LISTENING & MUSIC The CD player will be
Programme for March and April Read More »
The Happiness books We are happy too. The workbooks the children have been maintaining in the last six months are filled with their writing, pictures, ideas – and hopes. We supply hard-cover notebooks and a multitude of pens and felt-tips. They work through the ideas in their reading packs and do the rest.
Nobody must ever be in any doubt about why we work with Children’s Book Network. It is because of the children. And who are the children? She is a girl who is ten. She still loves pink and a bit of glitter. She watches what her older sister does and would like to do that
The beginning of January is not the beginning of CBN’s year. The beginning of March is when we start to implement the ideas that have simmered and baked during the previous year. The ideas that are freshly cooked and ready to serve. Our Annual report is exceptionally early this year, because it was necessary to
New beginnings same concepts Read More »
In 2021 Children’s Book Network enters its tenth year of working with children and reading. We aim for it to be a year to celebrate children as well as books. In spite of everything pandemics and economics can throw at us, we will not give up. There is no question that reading remains the most
CBN Statement for 2021 Read More »
