Thembinkosi Kohli, author of The Shadow, releases two new illustrated children's books.

In these exciting new children’s books, Thembinkosi Kohli’s illustrations encourage young readers to connect with the world they live in. His bright and cheerful images, which are accompanied by short bursts of text, tell stories in an easy to understand visual language. I am earth elaborates on not only our connection to the earth as human beings but its importance in our everyday lives while I am water speaks on the importance of water for the world and its everyday uses. These stories are a great read for the whole family, especially children aged between 4 – 8 years old.

Thembinkosi Kohli is a South African artist. He has exhibited his work at the Alexander Brest Museum in Florida and the District Six Museum in Cape Town. His first illustrated children’s book, The Shadow, was published to great success by David Philip Publishers.

The books are available to purchase from our online shop or any good bookstore.

On Saturday 5 May local children's bookstore, Ethnikids, will celebrate their first birthday with a family fun day at NIROX Sculpture Park.

The day will consist of a number of fun literary events for children of all ages. Families will be able to enjoy a picnic in the park interspersed by children's book readings every hour, on the hour, with musical workshops in-between. Children will also be given the opportunity to meet the authors of their favourite books.

Ethnikids is an online bookstore specialising in children's books that feature characters of colour in various South African languages. Their mission is to provide diverse material that all children can relate to and identify with. David Philip author, Sindiwe Magona, will be there to discuss and read from her latest children's book Skin we are in. 

Be sure to join Ethnikids, Sindiwe Magona, and a number of other local authors for a fun day celebrating the joys of reading.

The line-up is as follows:

10am - Gates open

11am - Swaady Martin, author of Malaika & The Angel

12pm - Bianca Masina, author of I Love Me

1pm - Sing-along with with Moshoeu Ketlele to Mzansi's Nursery Rhymes

2pm - Lebohang Masango, author of Mpumi's Magic Beads

3pm - Refiloe Moahloli, author of How many ways to say hello and Tullula

4pm - Sindiwe Magona, author of Skin we are in

Get your tickets for the event here.

One of South Africa's literary stalwarts, Sindiwe Magona, has teamed up with well-renowned American anthropologist, Nina G. Jablonski, to create Skin we are in, a much-needed book about race and skin colour - for children.

Together with award-winning illustrator Lynn Fellman, the trio have researched, written and produced a lively and colourful book to educate children on the science behind skin colour.

The essence of the story lies in the knowledge that despite appearances, on the inside we are all the same. When asked why she embarked on the project Jablonski cites the need for "accessible, authoritative scientific education" in the country and says that Magona was the only person to help fulfill her vision. "More than anything I wanted the book to be believable for kids. It had to be written in their voices, for their experiences," says Jablonski. Skin we are in is a celebration of the glorious human rainbow, both in South Africa and beyond. 

Magona has written the story of five young friends as they explore and discuss the skin they are in. The scientific narrative, written by Jablonski, expands and supports the conversation topics generated by the children's adventure, as eye-catching illustrations and informative graphics, drawn by Fellman, keep young readers intrigued and entertained.

Sindiwe Magona has written over 120 children's books in her lifetime and was awarded the Order of Okhamanga in 2011. She is currently a Writer-in-Residence at the University of the Western Cape as she continues her work as a writer, editor, translator and mentor to many of South Africa's best emerging writers.

Nina G. Jablonski is an anthropologist, paleontologist, and science educator. She studies and writes about human and primate evolution, and is especially interested in how skin and skin colour have evolved and influenced human life and societies. She conducts research and lectures in many countries, including South Africa, where she is a Permanent Fellow of the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS).

Lynn Fellman is a multimedia artist and science communicator. She is an Artist-in-Residence at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and a Fulbright Senior Scholar who studies, draws, paints, and lectures about the wonder and beauty of biological science. Her work shows the many layers of connections between people alive today and their ancient ancestors.

"The book is a testament to the inspiration, vision, and conviction of dozens of people, who created, edited, reviewed, and promoted it because they knew that the children of South Africa and the world needed it," says Jablonski.

Skin we are in is published by David Philip Publishers, an imprint of New Africa Books. The book is available in all eleven languages. Skin we are in is available for purchase nationwide at all major bookstores and online at Takealot, Loot and New Africa Books.

Catherine Stock's children's book, Armien's Fishing Trip, is reissued by Meerkat Books.

The illustrated children's book is set in the sleepy village of Kalk Bay, a seaside community that conjures images of bright fishing boats, noisy seagulls and delicious fish and chips. Since the 1850s, Kalk Bay harbour has helped the local fishermen in providing for their families. Many of the traditional fishermen that leave the harbour and head out to see every morning come from families that have been doing so for generations.

Armien's Fishing Trip celebrates this shrinking local profession. The children's book tells the story of a young boy who stows away on his uncle's boat when visiting the village. With trouble afoot on the stormy seas, Armien's quick thinking proves that he's not a little boy anymore. Originally published in 1991, this is a beautifully illustrated children's tale of adventure, excitement, family and hope. The book is being reissued in 2017 with a message that is as relevant as it was 25 years ago.

Catherine Stock is an award-winning author and illustrator who has experienced many different cultures first hand. Born in Sweden, she has lived with her family in France, England, South Africa, Hong Kong and the United States. She has a Fine Arts degree from the University of Cape Town and an MA from the Pratt Institute in New York.

Armien's Fishing Trip is published by Meerkat Books, an imprint of New Africa Books that specializes in high quality, full-colour books featuring stories that the children of Africa will recognize themselves in.

The book is available for purchase at all major bookstores and online from New Africa Books, Loot and Takealot.

Yesterday morning renowned South African playwright, poet, novelist and activist, Sindiwe Magona, spoke to hundreds of learners in Johannesburg.

Grade 10 learners at King Edward listen to Magona talk about her book, Mother to Mother.

Visiting a total of three schools, the learners were able to interact with the author behind their setwork books. The day started with Magona speaking at both Roedean School and King Edward VII High School about the English novel they’re studying, Mother to Mother. Provoked by the tragedy of Amy Biehl’s death in 1993, Mother to Mother is an account of life in a black township during the apartheid years. Students were able to ask questions about the text directly to the author and experience the book in a way not many learners can.

Grade 3 learners from both St John's and King Edward are eager to ask Magona questions about her African Folk Tales series.

This was followed on by a trip to King Edward VII preparatory school where learners from the neighbouring St John’s college joined their peers to listen to Magona speak about her magical and wonderful collection of African Folk Tales.

Thank you to the wonderful educators for having us over to chat to the learners about the world of books.

At New Africa Books we want to get young people excited about reading, if you’re a teacher and would like Sindiwe Magona to talk at your school then please contact us.