Story time tales. Fun reads for tweens.
And a cook book to get the kids into the kitchen!
This is a Book about Fairies. There’s only one problem. There are monsters hiding around every corner, just waiting to pull all sorts of silly pranks. Are there even any fairies in this book? A brilliant new book by Bloemfontien author Jaco Jacobs, with sensational illustrations by South African freelance illustrator Theodore Key. Bound to be a firm, firm fave with children and those who read to them. PanMacmillan, R128
New year. New diary. New pack of Kitkat Chunkys. And a new boyfriend. Could life get any better? Oh yes it can. Also a new dog! But .. no time for BFF, which is a prob. From the hilarious Katie Kirby, join in Lottie’s latest adventure in The Majorly Awkward BFF Drama of Lottie Brooks. These really are the most fun ever … if you’ve a reluctant reader, try a Lottie … guaranteed hours of reading fun. Puffin, R219
For fans, there’s also another brand-new Lottie Brook book with a twist! She’s just found out that you’ve been reading about her most EMBARRASSING moments for years … it was meant to be her TOTALLY SECRET PRIVATE DIARY!! In her Essential Guide to Life, she helps you through those tweenage years with the best advice on school, friendship, crushes and, most importantly, SNACKS. Loads of activities (like quizzes and would you rather), and space for you to make notes and write and illustrate your own diary, as well as a little of mum’s guidance on the ‘Amazing Journey to Womanhood’. Puffin, R215
Stepping into his famous dad’s kitchen, Buddy Oliver is showing young, beginner cooks just what fun making dinner can be. With more than 60 delicious recipes (think quick and easy pizzas, easy meatballs with spaghetti, choccy microwave mug cake), Let’s Cook is a fab book for those needing to build up their kitchen confidence. Achievable dishes, simple recipe methods, inspiring images, and helpful hints from Buddy throughout. It’s flavour-packed food for the whole family. So mum and dad … hang up your aprons, pour a glass of wine and let the kids make dinner. Penguin, R510
Imagine an elephant’s wedding – all excited bride and naughty groom, finches weaving flower wreaths and a ceremony under the baobab tree. Magical. And just one of the four short stories aimed at five to 10 year olds in The Tame Ways of Wild Animals by local author Irma Raspel. Beautiful illustrations, fun stories … bedtime stories should always be this good. Also available in Afrikaans. Rockhopper Books. R199 from Exclusive Books.
For the under six year olds, Once Upon a Hippo, written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by Zinelda McDonald, is great fun. Inspired by traditional African stories, the children will love the advice from the oxpeckers, laugh at the antics of the monkeys, and gasp when the hippo rolls on the fire and burns its tail, before finding out why the hippo has no fur. Hodder Children’s Books, R230 from Exclusive Books.
Mart is a jolly lucky mouse. He lives in a quiet alleyway behind a restaurant, where the head chef, every night, places a large plate of delicious leftovers outside the back door. All for Mart. But then … horrors … Zeus the scruffy dog and his best friend Chopper, a blue-bottomed fly, discover the restaurant, and want to share the leftovers. Local mum, teacher and author Michelle Linde has written a delightful story about the meaning of generosity, friendship and kindness. A Big Plate of Kindness is beautifully illustrated by 28-year-old Durban illustrator Thabiso Gcwensa. R160 from michelle@purpleninja.co.za
My First South African Animals is just brilliant to read at home or on your next game drive. The board book has photos of the all the animals you’d expect to see .. giraffe and springbok, lion and ellies, lizards and dung beetles. Name the animals, tick them off, and then listen to the sounds they make … scan in the code on the back of the book and download the free app. Great fun. HPH, R157 from Exclusive Books.
