Archive for the ‘Children’ Category
by Amy on Apr 25th, 2013
Written and illustrated in 1973 by one of South Africa’s most famous artists, Gerard Sekoto, Shorty and Billy Boy is a book for children as well as art lovers and collectors:
The manuscript of Shorty and Billy Boy formed part of a private collection of South African artist Gerard Sekoto’s sketches, artworks, letters and memoirs repatriated to South Africa from France. The story was clearly written and illustrated as a personal exercise and possibly a sentimental souvenir of his own childhood memories, but has not been published until now. Sekoto may well have composed it as a gift for children of friends, as he was often engaged in making greeting cards with accompanying illustrations. There are other unfinished stories and musical compositions in the estate collection, but Shorty and Billy Boy is the most complete.
Shorty and Billy Boy tells the tale of two troublesome dogs whose thieving ways take them to the far-away town of Porcupine Hills. Here they meet all sorts of interesting characters, but continue their mischief until Billy Boy is caught red-handed and sent to jail. Here he dreams about the kindness of others, and comes to realize that good deeds are the true measure of freedom.
The Gerard Sekoto Foundation has approved a number of editorial changes made to Sekoto’s original text, where the aim has been to preserve the integrity and flavour of the unpublished story, while making it more accessible to present-day readers. The South African context of the tale has been accentuated, and obsolete language and minor inconsistencies have been removed. The result is a timeless and engaging story that retains Sekoto’s unique spirit and imagination.
About the author
Gerard Sekoto (1913–1993) is acknowledged as an iconic and inspirational figure. Sekoto came from a leading academic missionary family, and had a good education compared with many of his peers. Art was not formally offered to black students, even in missionary schools of the 1920s, so Sekoto was forced to teach himself his craft. Sekoto left South Africa in 1947 for France, where he lived in exile for nearly 45 years. While there, Sekoto continued, through his art, to reflect the intrinsic humanism with which his art is associated. The French Government awarded him the Chevalier des Artset des Lettres shortly before his death in 1993. He lies buried at Nogent-sur-Marne, outside Paris.
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by Amy on Jan 18th, 2013
Tina Scotford, skrywer van Jacana Media se gewilde Kachoo-kinderboekreeks, het met SARIE se Phyllis Green gesels oor haar boeke, haar drome as kind en waar haar inspirasie vandaan kom. Scotford beplan reeds nog drie boeke in die reeks:
In die land van Kachoo is die wilde diere baie besig. ’n Sebravul is op soek na sy ouers (Lost in the land of Kachoo), Koning Leeu lei honger omdat sy prooi te slim is vir hom (The lion hunts in the land of Kachoo) en soms is die diereryk op die punt van ’n staatsgreep (Who is King in the land of Kachoo).
Boekbesonderhede
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by Amy on Dec 5th, 2012
Join award-winning and much-loved South African author, Niki Daly, as he shares his story about a boy who dares to dream of a big future. The Herd Boy is a story of empowerment and self-belief, and is inspired by the life of former president Nelson Mandela. Daly will be signing books, and there will be a fun flag designing activity for the children.
The first event will be held in Hermanus at The Book Cottage on Saturday 8 December at 11:00 AM and the second will be at The Book Lounge in Cape Town on Saturday 15 December at 11:00 AM
Don’t miss them!
Hermanus
Cape Town
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by Amy on Nov 28th, 2012
New from Jacana, Who is King in the Land of Kachoo?, Lost in the Land of Kachoo and The Lion Hunts In The Land of Kachoo by Tina Scotford, with illustrations by Frans Groenewald:
Arm yourself with a pair of binoculars, compass and water canteen; get ready to step into a land of adventure where wild animals roam free; sit down with royalty, get lost in the vastness (that is the beautiful Land of Kachoo); and face the ultimate king of the savannah!
The wondrous Land of Kachoo is ready for adventure, guaranteed to be a place revisited often, while read by the young explorers of Kachoo, our children!
Author Tina Scotford and illustrator Frans Groenewald delight with this series of idly comical stories set in the fictional Land of Kachoo. The rhyming verse and quirky illustrations invite the reader to linger in the Land of Kachoo along with the lovable characters. These enchanting books will charm the child in everyone.
The books all have an activity sticker page and a map that takes you into the heart of the Land of Kachoo.
About the author
Tina Scotford’s The Land of Kachoo series is her first published work, and is inspired by her personal travels to stunning bush destinations including the Serengeti, Lake Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, Chobe and the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and South Africa’s very own Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe and Klaserie game reserves. Included among Scotford’s interests are supporting KwaZulu-Natal’s Sharks rugby team, cycling and hiking in the Drakensberg, watching sport and the crime channel on DSTV, and practising the art of yoga. Scotford currently lives in Durban with her partner, Gary. Together, they have a beautiful daughter, Sienna and a pet rabbit, Amy.
About the illustrator
Frans Groenewald studied at the University of Stellenbosch where he obtained his BA (FA) (Graphic Design) and BA (FA) (Photography) with distinction. Since his entry into the art arena in 2002, his imaginative paintings have enjoyed widespread public interest and support, with national exposure in the printed media and on television. His work is characterised by unusual word play, fresh colour usage and unique characters such as Basil the chef and his free-range chicken, Benedict. Titles form an integral part of his paintings. He contributes illustrations to children’s books, magazines and newspapers, including cartoons for Eikestad Nuus. Adding to the list of his many talents, he also designs logos and has won the ATKV prize for children’s book illustrations.
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by Amy on Nov 28th, 2012
New from Jacana, The Herd Boy by Niki Daly:
Malusi is a herd boy who tends to his grandfather’s sheep and goats among the mountains of the Transkei. High above, eagles fly while on the ground below, beetles crawl, termites scurry and dust flies as Malusi plays games of stick-fighting with his friend. But there’s danger too…
Can Malusi save his lambs from the hungry baboon who’s stalking the flock?
And who is the old man in the shiny car who stops to chat, and encourages the herd boy in his dream of being President?
This beautiful picture book is about a boy who dares to dream of a big future. It is a story of empowerment, self-belief and leadership, and is inspired by the life of former president Nelson Mandela.
The book is also available in Afrikaans as Die veewagtertjie.
About the author
Niki Daly‘s high regard for children is always beautifully expressed through the books he creates for them. Over the past 33 years he has won numerous awards at home and abroad for his lyrical writing and lively illustrations.
His 1986 book, Not So Fast Songololo, winner of the Katrine Harries Award and a US Parents’ Choice Award, paved the way for post-apartheid South African children’s books. Among his many books, Once Upon a Time was an Honor Winner in the US Children’s Africana Book Awards of 2004. Jamela’s Dress was chosen by the ALA as a Notable Children’s Book, by Booklist as one of the top 10 African American Picture Books of 2000, and also won the Children’s Literature Choice Award, the Parents’ Choice Silver Award and the Peter Pan Silver Award in Sweden. In 2009 Niki was awarded the Molteno Gold Medal for his major contribution towards South African children’s literature.
He lives with his wife, the illustrator Jude Daly, in the little seaside town of Kleinmond, South Africa.
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by Amy on Nov 22nd, 2012
You are invited to the launch of Oscar Wilde’s timeless story, The Happy Prince. The launch will take place at Kalk Bay Books at 11:00 AM on Saturday, 1 December.
Carole Bloch and Margaret Sixel developed the book in conjunction with The Little Hands Trust and PRAESA. The Little Hands Trust supports initiatives that promote reading for enjoyment.
See you there!
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by Amy on Nov 19th, 2012
Jacana Media and The Book Lounge are delighted to invite you to the launch of Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince adapted by Carole Bloch and Margaret Sixel, and illustrated by Joan Rankin.
The launch will take place at 11AM on Saturday 24 November.
See you there!
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by Amy on Nov 16th, 2012
This month Jacana releases a reinterpretation of Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince, by Carol Bloch and Margaret Sixel, illustrated by Joan Rankin:
From his high pedestal, the Happy Prince, a magnificent golden statue, can see all the misery of the city below him. He begs a little Swallow to pluck off his treasure and share it amongst the poor. When the Happy Prince asks his new friend to stay and help him, the Swallow receives a lesson in kindness and caring.
Oscar Wilde’s timeless, compassionate tale of the friendship between the Happy Prince and the Swallow is brought to life by Joan Rankin’s sensitive, magical artwork. Beloved since it was first published in 1888, this enchanting story will be enjoyed by both adults and children.
The Happy Prince is available in four other official South African languages:
The Afrikaans edition translated by Antjie Krog.
The Sesotho edition translated by Grace Noge.
The IsiZulu edition translated by Bhekinkosi Ntuli.
The IsiXhosa edition translated by Pamela Maseko.
About the authors
Carole Bloch and Margaret Sixel developed the book in conjunction with The Little Hands Trust and PRAESA. The Little Hands Trust supports initiatives that promote reading for enjoyment. They collaborate with African publishers to increase and sustain publications of children’s books in African languages, as well as to initiate and support translations of classic children’s stories.
Joan Rankin has illustrated over thirty books for children and won numerous awards. She has just won the Crystal Kite Award 2012 for her illustrations in the book Finding Aunt Joan. She received the South African HAUM Daan Retief Prize for children’s book illustration in 1986 and the Katrine Harries Award for children’s book illustration in 1991. She has illustrated numerous books on the McElderry list, including A Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson and Off to First Grade by Louise Borden.
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by Amy on Oct 22nd, 2012
Nal’ibali spoke to Bonnie Henna, author of Eyebags & Dimples, about the importance of stories and books for children.
Henna, who has two children, spoke about story time being the best quality time and about the importance of respecting what stories your children want to hear.
Actress, Survivor contestant and now author, Bonnie Henna takes a break from the launch of her autobiography Eyebags and Dimples (Jacana Media) to talk motherhood and helping your child grow.
The 33-year-old mother of two, now based in Cape Town, shares her storytelling secrets with the Nal’ibali reading-for-enjoyment initiative – and tells us why reading with your kids is the best quality time you can get.
She says:
Being a parent is a beautiful yet humbling experience. We learn so much about parenting from the way we are parented, without even questioning our beliefs. Deciding how you want to uniquely parent your children takes constant effort and evaluation, most of all commitment.
Nal’ibali and Jacana are offering you the chance to win a copy of Eyebags & Dimples by answering a simple question on the Nal’ibali Facebook or Twitter pages before 27 October:
Tell us which book changed your life?
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by Amy on May 3rd, 2012
Congratulations to Jenny Hatton and Joan Rankin who have won the 2012 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award (Africa region) for their book Finding Aunt Joan:
Finding Aunt Joan describes the drive with family (plus dog and mouse) crammed inside the car. Hugely amusing and perhaps the best of the three. Jenny Hatton’s text is simple, direct, easy to digest – ideal inspiration for some of Joan Rankin’s friendliest, most frantic set of illustrations. A delight for early readers.
The Lucy Books consist of three charming little square books which make a sort of sequence – the process of packing up one home, moving to the next, and enjoying life when you get there. Children will easily relate to the stories which reflect true to life events such as going on a journey, moving house and a visit to the beach. The rhythmic text of the Lucy books will help build children’s reading skills and confidence while they are absorbed by the humorous illustrations depicting Lucy and her family.
Full list of Crystal Kite Member Choice Awards 2012 Winners
Africa: Finding Aunt Joan: Jenny Hatton and Joan Rankin, Jacana Media
Australia: The Last Viking: Norman Jorgensen, Fremantle Press
California/Hawaii: Won Ton – A Cat Tale Told in Haiku: Lee Wardlaw, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers
Flordia/GA: Cleopatra’s Moon: Vicky Alvear Shecter, Arthur A Levine Books (Scholastic Press)
Kansas/LA: Between Shades of Gray: Ruta Sepetys, Philomel Books (Penguin Young Readers Group)
Middle East/Asia: Orchards: Holly Thompson, Delacorte Dell (Random House)
Minnesota/Iowa: Bluefish: Pat Schmatz, Candlewick Press
Nevada: Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L Shuttlesworth and Eugene “Bull” Connor: Larry Brimner, Boyds Mills Press
New England: Pearl: Jo Knowles, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers Thelonious Mouse, Orel Protopopescu, Farrar, Straus & Giroux
PA/DE/NJ: The Absolute Value of Mike: Kathryn Erskine, Philomel Books (Penguin Young Readers Group)
Texas/OK: MINE! Patrice Barton, Random House Children’s Books
Americas: Witchlanders: Lena Coakley, Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster)
UK/Europe: Dark Parties: Sara Grant, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Hachette Book Group USA)
Washington: The Friendship Doll: Kirby Larson, Delacorte Dell (Random House)
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