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Children's Book About Zimbabwe Wins Costa Award

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 19 Jan 2011   |   

LONDON (Reuters) – A children’s story about a British boy who encounters racism and bullying in the classroom after emigrating to Zimbabwe in the early 1980s was among the Costa Book Award winners announced on Tuesday.

“Out of Shadows,” set during Robert Mugabe’s early years in power, is Jason Wallace’s first novel, and is based in part on his own experiences as a child when he moved to Zimbabwe with his family at the age of 12.

“For us, this extraordinary debut novel was a unanimous winner,” the panel of judges said in a statement. “This compelling portrayal of a nation in crisis gripped us from start to finish and has stayed with us since.”

Out of Shadows was one of five category winners at the annual book awards, which honour writers based in the UK and Ireland.

Each category winner receives 5,000 pounds ($8,000) and has a chance to claim the overall Costa Book of the Year Award worth a further 30,000 pounds. It will be announced in London on January 25.

Kishwar Desai picked up the first novel award for “Witness the Night,” centring around social worker Simran Singh’s investigation into the murders of 13 people.

The judges praised Desai for having “fearlessly blown the lid on the problems that simmer under the surface of modern-day India.”

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Book details

• Out of Shadows by Jason Wallace
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9781849390484
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Carol's Corner Reviews The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 06 Dec 2010   |   

I am also a Christian however unlike Carol, I’m not a bible reading hard-praying christian, so am always a bit sceptical when I come across religious books particularily for kids. That being said I do think it’s important to expose children to different ideas, beliefs, cultures etc, so based on what Carol has to say about this book, I definately think I need to get myself a copy. Read here for more.

I am a Christian. A Jesus-loving, Bible reading, hard-praying Christian. I don’t talk about it a lot on my blog, well, because this blog is not about my Christianity, it’s about books, mostly children’s books. And I don’t like childrend’s books, in fact I intensely dislike children’s books, that are preachy or sappy or moralistic or cutesy, which is how I would describe many Christian children’s books. This morning, though, I read a book that I have to review, and that I want to give to all of my Christian friends, and my pastor. Because it’s one that every Christian should read. But it’s also a book I’d love to give to the fifth grade and sixth grade social studies teachers at my school. Or my high school son’s African American literature or history teachers. Or actually just about anyone who loves books or American history or children or Jesus.

THE BEATITUDES: FROM SLAVERY TO CIVIL RIGHTS by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Tim Ladwig, follows the history of Blacks in America through some key events in American history: the Middle Passage of slaves from Africa, the founding of the Black A.M.E. churches, the US Colored Troops who fought to end slavery during the Civil War, the building of Negro Colleges, Marian Anderson on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial , Rosa Parks, Emmett Till, the Freedom Riders, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ruby Bridges, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Barack Obama. The story is narrated, however, by God. Listen to the first page:

“I am the Lord your God.

I was with the Africans who were torn

from the Motherland and cramped in holds of ships

on the Middle Passage from Africa to the Americas.

I heard them chant: Kum ba ya, kum ba ya.”

Or the last page:

“I was with your ancestors and I will be with your offspring,

standing on the side of justice.

Even now, I am with the downtrodden

and with those who seek uplift.

I am holy water in the stream of humanity.

Drink, bathe, and be free.”

• Read the complete article at Carolwscorner

Book details

• The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights by Carol Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Tim Ladwig
  EAN: 9780802853523
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More Recommeded Books From Cape Town's Child for Preteens and Teens

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 01 Dec 2010   |   

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
The Summer I Turned Pretty turned Jenny Han into a celebrity overnight and there is even talk of a film based on the book. Everything that happened this past summer, and every summer before it, has all led up to this. To now. Every year Isabel spends a perfect summer at her family friends’ house. There’s the swimming pool at night, the private stretch of sandy beach …and the two boys. Unavailable, aloof Conrad – who she’s been in love with forever – and friendly, relaxed Jeremiah, the only one who’s ever really paid her any attention. But this year something is different. They seem to have noticed her for the first time. It’s going to be an amazing summer – and one she’ll never forget…

Top 10 of Everything 2011 by Russell Ash
There are lots of books on the market that can tell you who’s number 1, but that never gives you the whole picture: How big is the margin between 1st and 2nd place? How does the 5th best compare? Was number 10 really that far off the pace? Top 10 of Everything 2011 answers these questions and many, many more, with brand new and updated lists and over 7,000 of the most intriguing facts about history, science, sports, music, movies, nature, people and places. Did you know that the country that spends the on toys and games is the UK? Or that Percy Montgomery is placed ninth (with Australia’s Stephen Larkham) in the top 10 most-capped players in international rugby? And as if that wasn’t enough to quench your thirst for knowledge, this fascinating full-color book also includes feature spreads that are packed with insightful information and additional lists that really give you the low-down on your favorite records. This is one of those books that will entertain the whole family.

Dead Man’s Cove by Lauren St John
In a book world obseessed with vampires, Lauren St John has revived the good old detective story with a thoroughly modern and tenacious heroine. With a suitcase full of books that have long been her window on the world, Laura Marlin goes to live with her uncle in Cornwall, convinced that a life of adventure is hers at last. But everywhere she turns she’s confronted with mysteries. When Laura finds a message on a bottle, she embarks on a deadly quest – one that will test her detective skills to the limit and set her on a collision course with villains who will stop at nothing to get their own way.

Unhooking the Moon by Gregory Hughes
When their father dies suddenly, Marie Claire (or the Rat, as she’s better known) and her older brother Bob are left all alone in the world, except for a mysterious uncle who they’ve never met and is said to be living somewhere in New York City. Afraid of being sent to a children’s home (Rat is dancing, football-playing gangter-baiting 10 year old, but she also has a long-term illness and is prone to fits), they set off on a journey to find him. Along the way they meet very interesting characters, end up in scary situations and have to endure all kinds of onslaughts. Unhooking the Moon is one of those rare books that grips you, leaves you bittersweet and then elated.

Book details

• The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
  Ages 12 and up
  EAN: 9780141330532
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• Top 10 of Everything 2011 by Russell Ash
  EAN: 9780600617433
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• Dead Man’s Cove by Lauren St John
  EAN: 9781444000207
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• Unhooking the Moon by Gregory Hughes
  Ages 12 and up
  EAN: 9781849162951
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Recommended Books for Toddlers from Cape Town's Child This Holiday Season

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 29 Nov 2010   |   

Stormy Weather by Debi Gliori
This is the perfect bedtime story for children aged two to five years old. Enter a warm world of warmth as you join the characters of this book, preparing for the night ahead. Your toddler will be enchanted by the gentle rolling and rhyming text and the comforting artwork as, one by one, the animals cuddle up and fall asleep, safe under the watchful gaze of their adoring parents. The author gently addresses bedtime fears, which through this enchanting story, soon disappear.

Milo’s Pet Egg by Rebecca Elliott
This is a story about the development of an unusual friendship. Milo finds an abandoned egg, which he calls Snappy, and they become the best of friend – swinging together, floating together, balancing, falling, rolling and climbing. Then one morning Milo wakes up and the egg is broken. He thinks he has lost his friend, but of course the egg has hatched and Milo’s “new” friend, Snappy the baby crocodile, is there to play with him. The story has a heart-warming ending, with Milo having aspirations to be a croc-sitter.

Cave Baby by Julia Donaldson and Emily Gravett
A hairy mammoth takes a cheeky little baby on a thrilling ride through a moonlit landscape where they encounter a sadre-toothed tiger, a leaping hare, a laughing hyena and even (or is it maybe?) a big brown bear. The award-winners, authors Julia Donaldson and illustrator Emily Gravett, have paired up for this new picture book. It is the first time that Gravett, who writes and illustrates her own books, has illustrated someone else’s work. They have created a story of rare quality: a visual feast and joy to read out loud.

Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood by Brenda Apsley and Jo-Anne Shilliam
These board books for four-year-old bring a whole new dimension to two very popular fairy tales. Each book comes with 30 soft-felt picture stickers that can be used to fill scenes on the special felt backgrounds that accompany each page. With colourful illustrations by Jo-Anne Shilliam, the books will make great gifts and give children hours of creative fun.

Bear Flies High by Michael Rosen and Adrian Reynolds.
Children from the age of three will enjoy how to fly. Bear spends most of his time on the beach, singing, “Do be doo, Doo bee doo, Doo bee doolily doo”, when the saegulls distract him and his dream to fly is born. Luckily his four human friends come along, and they know just how to help Bear – off to the fairground they go. The roller coasteris a bit scary , but once high up in the air, Bear realises: “I’m a bear who can fly. You can fly? I can fly”. This is a story about friends helping each other to realise their dreams, and having great fun doing it.

The Littlest Dinosaur and the Naughty Rock by Camilla Reid and Michael Fireman
This is the perfect book to teach children as young as four the importance of the simple words “please” and “thank you”. The Littlest Dinosaur has been in a bad mood all morning. First he’s rude to his dad, and then he shouts at his brothers and sisters. The final straw is when he throws a tantrum because Mom doesn’t serve him the lunch he wants. “Go and sit on the naughty rock until you’ve calmed down and can behave properly”, says Mom. The naughty rock turns out yo ber a wise old tortoise who shares his wisdom with the Littlest Dinosaur, with delightful and insightful consequences.

Book details

• Stormy Weather by Debi Gliori
  Ages 2 to 5
  EAN: 9780802794222
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• Milo’s Pet Egg by Rebecca Elliott
  EAN: 9781408802007
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• Cave Baby by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Emily Gravett
  EAN: 9780230743083
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• Sleeping Beauty by Brenda Apsley, illustrated by Jo-anne Shillliam
  EAN: 9780798151603
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• Little Red Riding Hood by Brenda Apsley
  EAN: 9780798151658
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• Bear Flies High by Michael Rosen
  EAN: 9781599903866
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• The Littlest Dinosaur and the Naughty Rock by Camilla Reid, illustrated by Michael Foreman
  EAN: 9781408802663
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This Months Recommended Books for Preschoolers and Early Graders from Cape Town's Child

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 03 Nov 2010   |   

Rainforest Touch and Feel Adventureby Harper Collins

Your baby will love discovering the rainforest by touching realistic textures. You can point out colours too, as you introduce your child to different furry bumpy and fuzzy animals. Babies as young as six month are introduced to tactile elements, the first words and bold bright colours. The sturdy, hard-board cover is easy for toddlers to handle and the glossy pages can be wiped

Sing a Song of Bottoms by Jeanne Willis

Bottoms are top in this laugh-out-load Jeanne Willis. Join her in the funniest talent show ever. In a fabulous rhyming text, meet bears with baggy bottoms, pigs with perky pinky ones, rhinos with wrinkly ones and peacocks that love to put theirs on display. Perfect for reading aloud and guaranteed to cause fits of giggles, one thing’s for sure, whoever is the winner, you and your child will enjoy this book.

The Little Brianwaves Investigate…Animals by Lisa Swerling

This book for animal-lovers between five and seven years of age explores teh furry feathered, fascinating world of animals with the little brainwaves. they’re small enough to explore a mouse hole, brave enough to look up an elephant’s trunk and crazy enough to get between the teeth ot a tiger. The inquisitive and fun-loving Little Brainwaves will bring your child closer to animals where they can learn, for example, how different the male orang-utan looks from the female ( he grows a moustache and a beard!) and that a birds bones are full of holes to make them lightweight.

Nici’s Pocket Present by Marion Drew

This book is perfect for readers eight to 10 years old. Nici is looking for gifts to take back to her cousins after her holiday in Cape Town. She looked on the beaches for seashells and even considered taking a rock from Table Mountain, but she knew her cousins would not be happy. All that was left, was the gifts they had asked for… a seagull for Mally and an octopus for Tim. How Nici gets these presents to Johannesburg has some wildly entertaining consequences. This tongue-in-cheek book might be a good launching pad to chatting about animal rights with your children.

Book details

• Sing a Song of Bottoms by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Adam Stower
  EAN: 9780141328805
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• Rainforest Touch and Feel Adventure by Harper Collins
  EAN: 9780007278619
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• The Little Brainwaves Investigate… Animals by Lisa Swerling
  EAN: 9781405351799
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• Nici’s Pocket Present by Marion Drew
  EAN: 9780624048442
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Recommended Books for Toddlers from Cape Town's Child This Month

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 01 Nov 2010   |   

Who Says Moo? by Roger Priddy

This slide-and find book has doors to open and questions to answer, but children as young as a year old will also enjoy the visuals and help you narrate as they contribute animal sounds. The book helps with the development of hand-eye coordination and problem solving. With clear photography and simple text, the Bright Baby range of board books helps to develop and build early vocabulary through the introduction of fun pictures and single words.

Book details

• Who Says Moo? by Roger Priddy
  EAN: 9781849152648
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Poddy and Flora by Paula Metcalf

Some things go very well together, like jelly and ice cream, buckets and spades…and Flora and her beloved dog Poddy. The two of them do everything togethe. But when Flora goes to visit Grandma, Poddy has to stay home and suddenly nothing is much fun for Poddy. But it isn’t only Flora he’s missing, his tails seems to ahve disappeared too! The award winning children’s author and illustrator Paula Metcalf stunningly illustrates this endearing and amusing tale about a little girl and her much-loved dog. Metcalf also created Norma Snows and We Love Bunk Beds!