From environmental champions to bedtime stories, here are a handful of lovely local reads for young minds.
Inspired by her children, Juliette and Harry, Caroline Blumrick’s As You Fall Asleep was written to encourage children to use their imaginations to create their own beautiful pictures and replace any scary thoughts with fun and exciting adventures. From tea parties with tooth fairies and swimming with mermaids, to sneaky elves, birthday cake and unicorns flying through the sky, the book, illustrated by Cristy Zinn, is a sweet, fun bedtime story about sleeping and dreaming and rich imagination. R160. Available at Encourage, The Village, Milk & Honey, Umhlanga Spar, Mr Tickles La Lucia Mall or online at carolineblumrick.com. You can follow Caroline on Instagram: @carolineblumrick for updates, promos and books. Details: [email protected] or carolineblumrick.com
WIN
We’re giving away two copies of this lovely book. Simply like and follow @getitdbn (Insta) @GetItDurban (Facebook), tag a friend, then fill in the form below and you’ll be in the draw. Entries close: September 29.
A copy of Caroline Blumrick’s As You Fall Asleep
Important Notice: By entering this competition you accept that your details will be added to our database and you give us permission to send you our e-newsletters. You may unsubscribe when you receive them if you would like to opt out.
Meet Romario Valentine, a 12-year-old Durban eco-warrior. Through his tree planting, beach clean-ups, avian art and other conservation projects in Africa and other parts of the world, this young activist has become a dynamic campaigner for the future health of our planet. In Protect our Planet, Romario enthusiastically guides young nature lovers through key environmental topics – from recycling and reforestation to pollution solutions and climate change. Topics covered in the book overlap with the Foundation Phase curriculum, and include the relationship between people and the environment, renewable resources, forestation and why trees matter, types of pollution, reducing, reusing and recycling, climate change, craft ideas, art activities and backyard projects. It also includes step-by-step projects suitable for Foundation Phase learners, such as building a bug hotel, birdfeeder and water filter. Ideal for ages seven to 11. R190. Penguin. Details: Available at Wordsworth Books and Exclusive Books.
Six-year-old Luke is afraid of the night. Not just the darkness, but the quiet, the loneliness, and the uncertainty. So, he begins a series of experiments to stop the night time from coming. His first attempt is to use light, then to turn back time. His final attempt is on a grander scale; he borrows the anchor from his grandfather’s boat to anchor the ground to a tree – his theory is that this will stop the Earth from spinning so night won’t come. When his efforts are unsuccessful, Luke is dismayed, so his father takes the family camping, where Luke can experience the wonder and beauty of a night under the stars. Sandra Parmee’s picture book The Boy Who Tried To Stop The Night, complete with beautiful illustrations by Cristy Zinn, is about facing your fears and learning to overcome them. R150. Details: Available online at sandraparmee.com.
Passionate not only about holistically educating young minds but also about all kinds of writing, Little Red Hen Pre-Primary School principal Merle O’Shaughnessy, wrote a series of children’s books that are interesting, fun to read and educational. Amelia’s Magic Staircase books are imaginative tales about a little girl who lays on her bedroom floor watching the rays of dust glitter stream in through her window and form a colourful magic staircase. She then goes on amazing adventures. Beautifully illustrated by Chelsea Wade, these stories that are woven around proverbs also teach valuable lessons and encourage lively discussions between readers and children. R120. Details: 083 231 3284 or [email protected]
As part of her drive to educate and empower people young minds on working with money, financial wellness coach, mom, and author Jean Archary wrote Mrs Spiggles and Her Money Tales … about a flying biggy bank that’s come to life, and through a series of short stories shares important money messages with children. The first is Taylor’s Birthday Surprise, about how money is earned and the importance of budgeting; the second story, Tiyan Loses a Tooth teaches about the importance of saving up for what you want. In the third story, Amo Takes Dad Shopping, children will learn about how to spend money wisely and to buy what they need before buying what they want. The last story in the collection, called Taria Has a Bad Dream teaches about the value of money and the importance of giving to those less fortunate. Perfect for children aged six to 11, at the end of each story there’s a list of questions that can be used to test your child’s understanding of the concepts relayed. Available at Exclusive Books and on Takealot. Details: mrsspiggles.co.za
