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April's Recommended Books for Toddlers from Cape Town's Child

by Chelsea on 23 Mar 2011   |   

I want a Mini Tiger By Joyce Dunbar and Lara Jones.
This little girl wants her very own miniature wild animal. Anything from a little snappy happy crocodile or a tiny trundle rumble elephant, to a pocket-sized grizzly bear. But as her big brother explains, a real wild animal would make a terrible pet. You can’t nuzzle a crocodile, or tickle a wild elephant, and a grizzly bear belongs in a cave not a pocket! But there’s one pet, a tiny pet, that loves to be tickled and cuddled. It’s like a tiger, only much smaller. This is a delightfully rhythmic tale, bursting with imagination, and a playful introduction to a world of wild animals.

I’m not scary! and I won’t bite! By Rod Campbell
These touch-and-feel books have a surprise for little enquiring minds on every page. Your child can feel a scratchy-scratchy grasshopper, a shiny beetle, a fluffy rabbit, a slippery fish and a leathery hippo plus lift a flap to find a slimy snail. Both books have big-impact endings. Rod Campbell has been illustrating and making children’s books since 1986 and he is also the creator of the Dear Zoo series.

Fairy Magic! and Wizard Magic! By Rachel Fuller
These little books come with sliding tabs to create magic changing pictures on each page. Apart from providing fun and entertainment, they will stimulate your little one’s imagination and introduce them to rhythm and rhyme. Children as young as two will love these bright books with their hidden surprises. These are the perfect beginner books for aspiring fairy and wizard toddlers.

Book details

• I want a Mini Tiger by Joyce Dunbar, Lara Jones
  EAN: 9780230703803
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• I’m not scary! by Rod Campbell
  EAN: 9780230741706
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• I won’t bite! by Rod Campbell
  EAN: 9780230747883
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• Wizard Magic! by Rachel Fuller
  EAN: 9780230743434
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• Fairy Magic! by Rachel Fuller
  EAN: 9780230743427
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Hope Through Books for Children

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 23 Mar 2011   |   

While working with an international children’s organization struggling with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, I recently spent a month in Zambia, Swaziland, and South Africa. I visited homes, outreach centers, hospitals, and hospices. I heard hungry orphans laugh and saw the dying smile. I held the hands of ten-year-olds who, as heads of household, care for their younger siblings. I watched children without enough food for themselves share with each other and wait patiently in line for their bit of warm milk. I met many children, but I did not see one children’s book.

The presence of a book may seem insignificant compared to the overwhelming infection rates, the starvation, the death. In many countries, one out of four adults is infected with HIV or AIDS, and most are heterosexuals between the ages of 15 and 49. Few have access to, or money for, decent food or health care, let alone the ARV’s (antiretroviral medications). Seventy percent of all new HIV/AIDS infections and deaths in the world are now occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

As the parents die, the children are left behind. Over 11 million children have become orphaned due to HIV/AIDS in this region, and their numbers keep growing. Stigmatized and forgotten, many are already infected. With little time left on this earth, quality of life is measured in small joys, like jumping rope, singing an ancestral song, or learning how to read.

Before my trip, I asked two of my publishers to donate a few boxes of my books to the orphans of Africa. I imagined reenacting my school and library presentation that I’ve been sharing with American kids for the past ten years. I would encourage the children in Africa as I had encouraged those in the States to read everything they could get their hands on. Write your own stories, I would tell them. Write about things that excite you, things you are passionate about. Use words to find out about the world, to explain your world to others. I didn’t realize that books were a luxury only the most affluent could afford.

Neither publisher sent books due to cost and bad timing. So when I returned home, I mailed a box of my books, along with other children’s books I was privileged to have on my shelves. The cost was incredibly reasonable using the U.S. Post Office’s media mail.

Yes, these kids need food. They need clothes. They need health care. They also need art. They need our books. A book in a child’s hands gives him/her access to the world, and perhaps, hope. If you would like to donate your books or help in other ways, please contact me at my website, sharonsharth.com. We can make a difference.

• Read complete article at Sharonsharth

Recommended Books for Preschoolers from Cape Town's Child

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 09 Mar 2011   |   

Wild Alphabet by Mike Haines and Julia Frolich
Animals literally jump off the pages in this illustrated pop-up book featuring 26 wild animals. Young children can discover facts about these creatures with the help of the pop-ups and moving parts. With each animal on its own spread, there is enough space to inform children where each creature lives and what they eat. Some of the animals might be unknown to South Africans, but it’s still a fun way to learn the A-Z.

Jack and the Beanstalk AND Little Red Riding Hood by Nick Sharratt and Stephen Tucker
Each book is a funny re-telling of a classic fairy tale with lift-the-flap surprises on every page. Children from as young as three will enjoy the rhyming text and colourful illustrations. In thius version there are no threats from the Giant “to grind his bones to make my bread”, and both Red Riding Hood and Grandma survivie the ordeal – so it shouldn’t frighten little children. Older children will love the humorous take: “when they found Gran in the wardrobe she said: ‘Don’t you agree, Red Riding Hood needs glasses if she thought that wolf was me!’” Each book comes with a CD so that little ones can also listen to the story in the car.

What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks
Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. Among all the noisy farm animals lives a tiny silent ladybird. This beautiful glittery creature (little fingers will love to feel her sparkly shape) is so quiet that she hears the two crafty robbers plotting to raid the farmyard. The ladybird has a plan of her own and urges the animals to put their mooing, quacking, neighing and baaing to cunning use. The crooks get so confused that they end up getting caught. The book comes with a CD, read by Alexander Armstrong.

• Visit Child Mag

Book details

• Wild Alphabet by Mike Haines, Julia Fröhlich
  EAN: 9780753430316
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• Jack and the Beanstalk by Nick Sharratt, Stephen Tucker
  EAN: 9780333962183
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• Little Red Riding Hood by Nick Sharratt
  EAN: 9780333962176
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• What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson
  EAN: 9780230706507
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Every Book Within Walking Distance of Every Home Within 5 Years

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 02 Mar 2011   |   

Arthur Attwell talks about the future of books in Africa in his presentation titled ‘Every Book Within Walking Distance of Every Home Within 5 Year’. Read here.

Last night I attended Talking Heads at the Africa Centre, and it was fantastic. One participant described it like speed-dating for the mind: four twenty-minute conversations, each with three other people, each led by an expert in their area. Each table’s participants are randomly selected, so you have no idea beforehand who you’ll be speaking to. I was there as an ‘expert’ to talk about the future of books in Africa, and I called my presentation “Every book within walking distance of every home within 5 years”. I prepared notes, but only as a guide to the conversation, each of which was completely different. This is what I prepared.

Did you have books in your home as children?

Have you ever thought you couldn’t read a book on a small screen?

Would you read a book on a small screen if that was the only way you could read books at all?

I lived in a house filled with books. I still remember some very clearly. And even though I didn’t read most of them, their being there every day opened my mind to the notion that the world was full of old and new ideas and stories and fields of knowledge. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like to not have that. So I’m passionate about being part of this enterprise:

• Read complete article

This Month's Recommended Reads For Toddlers From Cape Town's Child

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 24 Feb 2011   |   

This is another delight from the Tales from Acorn Wood series brought to you by award-winning writer/illustrator duo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Deep in the heart of Acorn Wood, Bear is writing letters to his friends. Your child can visit Frog, Squirrel and Mole by lifting the flaps that are the doors to their homes. Scheffler beautifully illustrates this sturdy boardbook. Also look out for Fox’s Socks, Rabbit’s Nap and Hide-and-seek Pig in the series.

This is an interactive and early-learning book for children aged two and older. It’s a fun and innovative way for little ones to learn their numbers and the sliding pages help with hand-eye co-ordination as well as problem solving. The colourful drawings and photos will keep a toddler captivated.

With busy, colourful pages and a sound button to press, these are fun and noisy books about cars or trains. The books are developed for children one year and older and will help stimulate your baby’s senses and assist with hand-eye co-ordination. The sound buttons can be used on each page with the colorful illustrations and the board pages are easy to clean and sturdy enough for small hands to page through the book.

Book details

• Postman Bear by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  EAN: 9780333966242
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• A Slide and Surprise Numbers Book by Natalie Boyd
  EAN: 9781849152914
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• Noisy Cars by Roger Priddy
  EAN: 9781843324980
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• Noisy Trains by Roger Priddy
  EAN: 9780312509354
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Cavendish Square Hosts 2011 Literacy Book Sale

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 24 Feb 2011   |   

SHOW US YOUR HEART THIS FEBRUARY AND SUPPORT CHILDREN’S LITERACY AND WESTERN CAPE AIDS/HIV NGO, WOLA NANI

WHEN: THURS 24th – SUN 27th FEBRUARY
WHERE: CENTRE COURT, CAVENDISH SQUARE
CELEBRITY CHILDREN’S BOOK READINGS:
SEE CHAD SAAIMAN & WINNIE THE POOH IN CENTRE COURT, SAT 26th FEBRUARY,
11:00 – 12:30
BOOK DRIVE: BRING YOUR OLD & UNUSED BOOKS IN DURING THE SALE TO BE DONATED TO WOLA NANI

• Visit Cavendish

Nuut van Human en Rousseau

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 21 Feb 2011   |   

Tiemie, Lelie, en die tweeling Klits en Rits, Baba Rosa en natuurlik Worsie, is die Kleinste Klein Karnallies. Hulle is die kleinste klein mensies wat in die kleinste klein huisie onder in die tuin bly. Hulle ontdek allerhande wonderlike dinge en beleef heerlike avonture. Lees van die wollerige snorrige gas wat een aand onverwags kom kuier, en van die onderstebo monster wat Klits en Rits in die solder ontdek! Jy kan ook uitvind hoe Lelie uiteindelik haar vlerke gekry het. Stories vir slaaptyd en lekker saamlees, ideaal vir kleuters van 2 tot 4 jaar.

Hierdie boek, met pragtige illustrasies deur Atsuko Morozumi, bevat eenvooudige, maar interessante dierestories, perfek vir voorlees en saamlees voor slaaptyd. Sebra se huis val uitmekaar. Hy probeer ‘n nuwe een bou, maar iets loop elke keer verkeerd. Dan kry hy die perfekte oplossing…

Hierdie boek bevat vier oorspronklike stories, spesiaal geskryf vir baie jong kinders. Daar is ook vier prentestories, waar kinders hul eie stories kan opmaak. Dit bevat ook ‘n handige merker aan die kant van ekle bladsy, om jou te help om by jou gunstelingstorie uit te kom.

Book details

• Kleinste klein karnallies by Sarah Hayes, illustrated by Sarah Garson
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9780798152365
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• Dierestories vir slaaptyd by Georgie Adams, illustrated by Atsuko Morozumi
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9780798152372
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Bookchat Announces it's Top Children’s Books of 2010

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 16 Feb 2011   |   

Bookchat, a website for South African Children’s Books, has made public its short-list of children’s books that were nominated last year for being “Books of the Year”.

The nominees for “Best Fiction”:

Children of God – A Storybook Bible retold by Desmond Tutu
Goal! by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by A G Ford
Just Sisi by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by Joan Rankin
Nosipho Comes to Stay by Sarah Oosthuizen, illustrated by Catherine Groenewald
Pops and the Nearly Dead by Edyth Bulbring
Surfing Sally by Mary Duncan, illustrated by Wendy McKeag
The Mystery of the SS Waratah and the Avocado Tree by MJ Honikman, illustrated by Brice Reignier

The nominees for “Best Non-fiction”:

African Seashores by Sally MacLarty
Ecaleni Komlambo / Along the River / Rivierlangs by Reviva Schermbrucker
Great South African Inventions by Mike Bruton
Trevor Manuel by Pippa Green They Fought for Freedom series
My First Book of African Seashore Life by Roberta Griffiths, illustrated by Judy Maré

The Top Read of 2010 as voted for by Bookchat goes to Just Sisi by Wendy Hartmann and illustrated by Joan Rankin

• Visit Bookchat here

Book details

• Children of God by Desmond Tutu, illustrated by Various
  EAN: 9780310719120
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

• Goal! by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by A.G. Ford
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9780763645717
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

• Just Sisi by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by Joan Rankin
  EAN: 9780798152204
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

• Nosipho Comes to Stay by Sarah Oosthuizen, Catherine Groenewald
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9781770098343
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

• Pops and the Nearly Dead by Edyth Bulbring
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9780143026501
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

• Surfing Sally by Mary Duncan, illustrated by Wendy McKeag
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9780620463157
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

• The Mystery of the SS Waratah and the Avocado Tree by Marilyn Honikman, illustrated by Brice Reignier
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9780624048176
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• African Seashores: To Read, Colour and Keep by Sally MacLarty
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9781770078925
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

• Great South African Inventions by Mike Bruton
  EAN: 9780521746632
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

• Trevor Manuel: ‘n lewensverhaal by Pippa Green
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9780624047247
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

• My First Book of Southern African Seashore Life by Roberta Griffiths, illustrated by Judy Maré
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9781770078222
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Just Sisi Gets Two Thumbs Up

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 14 Feb 2011   |   

Just last week I read Just Sisi by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated buy Joan Rankin to my daughter just before bed and she has asked for it every night since. It’s such a great read I really don”t mind the fact that I’ve had to read it over and over again. The simple text together with the soft yet bright illustrations are a big part of why this book is such a winner for me (and others as you will see below). The only issue I have with the book is the soft cover, it tends to flop about as I hold it up to show my kids the illustrations. Other than that I think this is one of the books set to wins an award this year!

The other example I present to you is from South Africa – JUST SISI by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by Joan Rankin (from Human & Rousseau). This is one of the best local picture books I’ve seen for years, but let’s concentrate on the voice. It is deceptively simple, offering five little stories about a small rabbit who is quite clearly living in a bright, cheerful, modern Africa. In the final tale, she and her small brother are preparing for bed. Just listen to the text:
A kiss on the tummy.
A kiss on the toes!
A kiss on the cheek.
A kiss on the nose.
A cuddle, a hug, snuggle up tight.
Warm blanket, warm bed … and a kiss for goodnight.
Isn’t that gorgeous! What small ears will fail to be enchanted with that voice – aided, of course, by your voice. There’s no such thing as an ‘opposite’ to Salman Rushdie, but Wendy Hartmann is using simplicity instead of complexity.
I have to mention that the illustrator, Joan Rankin, is hardly a silent spectator. Her artwork is bouncing with colour, fun and homely imagination. And for a practical detail, most picture books have 36 pages. This one has over a hundred. There’s value for money in South African publishing – as well as many voices worth listening to.

• Read complete article at Gorrybowestaylor

“Bookchat” Book of the Year 2010 is…

JUST SISI by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by Joan Rankin
Featured as “Book of the Month” in January, this is a superb picture book, fully deserving the place of honour. (And while most picture books make do with 36 pages, this one has over a hundred. Real value for money!)

• Read more at Bookchat

Book details

• Just Sisi by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by Joan Rankin
  EAN: 9780798152204
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Basic Education Minister Expects the Worst Results from SA Children

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 09 Feb 2011   |   

More than six million pupils across the country have started writing the annual national assessment exams – and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is “expecting the worst”.

The tests are intended to assess whether children’s skills, such as literacy and numeracy, and especially analytical skills, are at the appropriate level for their age.

Motshekga, who was at Midrand’s Ebony Park Primary School for the start of the tests, said: “I expect the worst, but we need to know the worst so that we can address the weaknesses [in the education system].”

The assessment exams will show how South Africa’s school children compare internationally, she said.

“Pupils can learn, but they can also forget. This is not only about knowledge, because people forget facts. It is about skills . interpretive and analytical skills . and are these children at the right levels.”

It was expected that about 12million pupils will have to write the assessment exams by June.

Parents will be told how their children performed.

Teachers do not see the exam papers before their pupils write and so cannot prepare them for the questions.

• Read complete article at TimesLive