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Young Publishers Strive to Breed Book Culture in South African Kids
A team of young publishers based in Pretoria are determined to breed a book-buying generation of young South Africans by selling children’s books for no more than R10.
BK Publishing founder Benoit Knox says this initiative is not about charity or only getting children to read. “The most important thing is to get kids involved in book buying in order to help build a strong book-buying culture in South Africa,” he says.
Knox and business partner Tshediso Serei are the commissioning editors of the children’s book series aimed at 10 -13 year olds. The first book in the series, entitled Meetsi a Bophelo [Water of Life], features 10 original South African short stories written by previously unpublished local writers.
BK Publishing prioritises the promotion of local talent, as proven by their flagship publication, A Look Away. Knox started the publication in 2005 when still a student at the University of Pretoria. His aim was to expose the talents of young writers, designers and artists in what would eventually become a respected quarterly art magazine.
While the short stories featured in Meetsi a Bophelo range from horror to adventure to feel good and comedy, all are relevant to South African kids and all are fun, says Knox. “Children today are discerning when it comes to morality and that’s part of the reason kids don’t read at all today,” he says.
“We are trying to get rid of that stigma that all books are lessons in morality for children. We want to show young people that books can be fun and entertaining,” adds Knox.
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Good news. The trick, as always, is to get parents reading too...