My favourite kind of people are the ones who say they are going to do something, ignore the muttered voices saying it isn’t possible, and then go right ahead and do it. Book Dash people are that sort. One Hundred books owned by every child under five is a serious undertaking. Some people raised their […]
Book Heroes – Book Dash Read More »
Now for something completely different! Talent Competition, written and edited by Michelle Holloway, is a talent competition all on its own. Absolutely beautiful artworks (much more involved than ‘illustrations’) and charming text will enthrall listeners (read aloud) as well as readers of all ages. We will be using it with our CBN children and asking
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The theme of ‘Postcards of me’ is where we encourage children to share information about themselves with other children. The activities, compiled by CBN’s Lisa Witherden, can be found at: Lockdown Learning Programme Book One – Activity One: Postcards from me CBN has had great success with the activity for today – making self-portraits. We
What a sensible publication! A simple, engaging story incorporating a child’s nervousness at swimming and showing basic instruction in action. But this isn’t a “teach yourself” book – it’s a story about Annie and her doubts and fears, and her growing friendship with Lisa, a better swimmer. So both Lisa and swimming become Annie’s best
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Now you need to know a little about the different kinds of frogs. Out & about people should welcome this first South African children’s book specifically about frogs. 55 different species are described in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu. Each whole page entry covers description, size, distribution map, eggs, and a fascinating “habitat bar” giving
My First Book of Southern African Frogs Read More »
Ten magical stories from Africa. All part of the oral tradition of Africa, so all re-cycled, re-told in a crisp, lilting fashion and with Piet Grobler’s lively, lovely, characterful animals in bright crazy colours. (Notes at the back to explain origins.) Great to read aloud and afterwards linger on the detailed pictures. Also available in
Oom Kallas is a farm worker with much experience of the veldt. He speaks Afrikaans – and for those not bilingual, his words are translated in the wide margins of this attractive storybook. The whole situation becomes far more exciting and frightening when a fire sweeps through the Cape mountains. Thanks to gallant fire-fighters and
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This is based on a genuine South African tree near the Higgley Piggeldy Farmyard in Kommetjie, jazzed up beautifully by an artist who “loves bright colours and happy pictures, and fresh sea air”. The happiest picture book I have met for a long time, with rich detailed pictures and a story that says Enjoy life
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Jeff is a bored boy who bounces on his bed and George is a very small pronking springbok (That’s what springboks do.) Scattered around Jeff’s room are the materials needed to create the weather-proof Totem Pole inside which boy and springbok can brave the winter weather. And to cheer up all South Africans, Jeff has
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Set in the Cederberg mountains where, in a time-jump, a group of modern children find themselves alongside a clan of /Xam people (part of those often called Bushmen or San). They experience the simplicity of living in harmony with the natural world, as well as learning much about the significance of rock art. The reader
There are many, many collections of stories for children but few have the scope and skill of this. Linda Rode has gathered into her loom sixty story-threads from all over the world. Joyously, most of them are from Africa but there are tales derived from Aesop, La Fontaine, Perrault, Grimm and Andersen as well as
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Wisely, the author does not try to do too much. Told in simple language, this is a story of the simple excitement (for a child) of a train journey from Cape Town – change at Salt River – to Kalk Bay. The sheer joy of the journey, the fun on the beach, not forgetting the
A generously-sized picture book story whose author and artist are well aware of the excitement of football, the bleak desolation of the Cape Flats, ever-present danger in such a life and the exuberance of being young. Support from Biblionef has enabled GOAL! to be published in all South African languages.
Upheaval as a family decides to move into a brand new house. Floor plans, building site, packing up belongings, and The Move itself.
Photographic story of life in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Crowded home, restricted conditions, herbs and fruit for sale.
Qolweni township near Plettenberg Bay. Home is needed for an orphaned girl and an orphaned elephant.
Life in a flat in Johannesburg: family lifestyle, the need for security, laundry on the roof. A visit to Joubert Park.
