Today is World Book Day and to celebrate we are sharing 8 South African children’s book authors that you will find on our bookshelf this month. Obviously, there are many more talented local writers but these are the titles currently being enjoyed in our home before bedtime… For some authors, these stories are their 1st published works and we can’t be more excited to share them!

South African children’s book authors for April…

1. Refiloe Moahloli:

This name should be familiar to most… Refiloe Moahloli is the best-selling and award-winning author of How Many Ways Can You Say Hello?, Tullula, Yes Yanga! (Yheke Yanga! in isiXhosa), We Are One, How Many Ways Can You Say Goodbye?, You are Loved, Know My Name, Part Of A Team and Let’s Play. In her books, Refiloe highlights the best in the human spirit by writing stories where children can identify and celebrate themselves and others too.

We’ve read and enjoyed most of her books and this month we’re loving “Ons is Een“. A lyrical picture book about the principles of Ubuntu because even though we look, sound, and act differently, eat different kinds of food and live in different places, we are all part of one human race.*This book is also available in Xhosa and Afrikaans. Please contact us to inquire about availability.

• Rifiloe’s books are available from most good bookstores as well as online.

2. Jaco Jacobs:

A popular name in most Afrikaans homes. Jaco Jacobs started writing when he was only 7 years old. Now, this small town-born boy from Carnarvon, in the beautiful Karoo, has grown into one of South Africa’s most successful and celebrated authors! With over 220 books that have been translated into English, Italian, Dutch and Slovenian. Jaco writes stories filled with adventure, series for teens, tweens, and younger readers, jokes, facts, rhymes and more. Minki, Waldo and Professor Fungus have all become friends in our home and we could (and probably should) do an entire book club just on Jaco Jacobs! (Watch this space.)

However, for April, we are having a good laugh with “Moenie die Melk Vergeet Nie“. When Mom asks Mila and Daddy to please remember the milk, an everyday shopping errand turns into a fantastical quest filled with unicorns and dragons! But did they remember the milk? *Only available in Afrikaans.

• Jaco’s books are available from most good bookstores as well as online.

3. Melanie du Toit (a.k.a Mel die Storieverteller):

Last year I discovered Mel die Storieverteller via another talented local entertainer, Aletta Francina de Kock! Little did I know Mel was also a wonderful, self-published children’s book author. Her stories are perfect for little ones ages 4-9years old. Karel die Koddige Kersboom formed part of our Christmas reads and our Lia fell in love with Amadeus die Reisiger as they made their way to Table Mountain together. Meeting all kinds of interesting new friends… We can not wait for the 2nd installment as Amadeus goes camping. So, in the meantime, we’re reading Ewald het ‘n Plan (of twee). *All titles are only available in Afrikaans.

• Melanie’s books can be bought online from her website at www.meldiestorieverteller.co.za/shop.

4. Bailey Bezuidenhout:

I’ve been an insta-fan of Bailey‘s photography and work with her sisters as Kimmy & Bear for years. I also admire her as a mother of twins and a wonderful homemaker. So, when Bailey announced her 1st book, we simply had to show our support.

“After studying a Masters in Media in New York, the idea of writing children’s book lit a spark in Bailey and she began to write and illustrate more and more. Now, her notebooks are a maze of scribbles, arrows, bent corners and “turn the page” codes written in tiny handwriting. After four years in New York City, she returned home and became a full-time mother before publishing her first title with Imaginary House in South Africa, Hello Trees.”

Filled with imagination, Bailey inspired young readers (and their parents) to look at the world in a new way. Valuing things that are seen and hidden from the eye.

• Hello Trees is available from most good bookstores as well as online. *Only available in English.

5. Celest Lotter Nirenstein

Celest Nirenstein is an artist, illustrator, mother and yet another insta-friend I adore that recently published and illustrated her 1st Children’s Book – Cheesecake Eats the World. In this hilarious, heart-warming story, Cheesecake – a South African pigeon, becomes tired of eating at the same Cape Town pizza shop day after day. So, Cheesecake departs on a grand search for the world’s most incredible gastronomic delights as he discovers new countries and culinary specialties.

This sweet story is one we all know well BUT the illustrations are like no other… They are filled with cheeky surprises (read closely) and make for great conversations. Our young wanderlusters couldn’t have enjoyed it more and we don’t mind reading it aloud night after night either.

• Cheesecake Eats the World is available from Exclusive Books as well as online at www.mightysmall.co.za. *Only available in English.

6. Shudufhadzo Musida:

Former Miss South Africa, Shudufhadzo Musida, published her 1st Children’s Book telling the story of her upbringing – Shudu Finds Her Magic. As an outgoing girl in Ha-Vhangani, a small Venda village, she was surrounded by a loving extended family. Things took a turn for Shudu when she moved to Mpumalanga to live with her mom. At her new school, Shudu was bullied by her classmates.

“The one lesson I learned is that when something bad is happening to you it is important to speak to an adult that you trust about it. This could be a parent, a family member, a teacher or an elder. Remember that being bullied is not your fault. There is nothing wrong with you. Nobody should have to go through what I went through.” – Shudufhadzo Musida

In this book Shudu shares how she overcomes her sadness and her challenges and grows into a girl, then an adult and finally a woman who has learned to love herself! As a girl mom who has experienced her fair share of bullying, this is a MUST-read!

• Shudu Finds Her Magic is also available in Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, and Tshivenda from most good bookstores as well as online.

7. Rafiek Mammon:

As former Cape Times Arts Editor, celebrated playwright and previous Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards judge, Rafiek Mammon is a man of many talents. One of which is a children’s book author as well… Faizel and the Stars is the first book in a series where we get to know Faizel – a young Muslim boy – and his family.

“All Faizel ever wanted was to shine like the stars he so dearly adores. The day before his fifth birthday is an ordinary day: he and his sister play with her dolls and he helps his mother with the laundry. But his dad always has something to say about Faizel being like that. What exactly does his dad mean when he uses words, like that? What is in the wrapped gift that they surprise him with on the morning of his birthday, and what lies ahead for Faizel’s future? Will he get to live his dream and shine like a star?” A gentle story about a little AfriKaaps boy who is different that teaches children about acceptance and tolerance, and to be loving.”

This book adds some much-needed diversity to our home library and insight into a culture rarely represented in kids’ literature. Next, we’ll be keeping an eye out for A gold Star for Faizel.

• Rafiek’s books are available in Afrikaans, English, Xhosa and Zulu from selected bookstores as well as online.

8. Vasti Spiller:

Vasti Spiller has been writing for years but The Art of Loving is her 1st book published under her own name and only launched a few days ago. It is the heartwarming story of how a young girl learns what it means to find beauty in broken things. Written from Vasti’s own life experiences and the values her mother instilled, in collaboration with the B Loved Foundation.

“I wrote this so that children could understand that there isn’t one person out there that is perfect, but there is something like a perfect love that heals.”

I loved meeting Vasti at the launch of this book. She left a lasting impression on me and makes for an incredible role model not just for my own little girls but all young women. We’re excited to see what she does next!

All the funds from each book purchased will go straight to the B Loved Regain Program which helps restore the lives of people that have been trafficked.

• The Art of Living is available online at www.b-loved.org.za.

Giveaway closed – Congratulations Chantelle van der Bijl

Time to WIN!!!

Just because we love to read, and we know you do too… We’re giving away the following selection of stories from the authors mentioned above:

• Faizel and the Stars – Rafiek Mammon (+ the Xhosa copy)
• Shudu Uthola Umlingo Wakhe – Shudufhadzo Masida (+ the English copy)
• Simunye – Refiloe Moahloli (+ the English copy)
• Moenie die Melk Vergeet nie – Jaco Jacobs
• Ewald het ‘n Plan (of twee) – Melanie du Toit
• Hello Trees – Bailey Bezuidenhout
• Cheesecake Eats The World – Celest Lotter Nirenstein
• The Art of Loving – Vasti Spiller

That’s 11 books to enjoy with your kids!

Here’s how:

Complete one of these steps OR both to gain an extra chance of winning!

1. Leave a comment HERE telling us which book you’d like to read first.

That’s it! It couldn’t be easier.

COMPETITION RULES: 

1. Only entries via a comment left below will be considered.
2. None of the authors or publishers are in any way responsible or associated with this giveaway.
3. The competition is only open to South African residents residing in South Africa. 
4. Winners must be 18+ years old.
5. This competition closes on 15 May 2023.
6. The winner is picked at random and announced after the 15th of May 2023, via IG stories as well as this blog post.
7. This prize is not exchangeable or refundable.
8. Please enter valid email and contact info. If we can not get hold of you within 48 hours a new winner will be picked.
9. The greatest care is taken when mailing your prize but Just a Mamma does not accept any responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged goods.

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