Capture your child’s imagination

Children’s books hold a very special place on my bookshelf.

These are the books that first captured my imagination when I was too young to read the words myself, and either mom or dad would read to me before tucking me in every evening.

Two new children’s books, both written by South African authors, that have that magic touch are ‘Up, Up and AWAY!’ by Lynn Bedford Hall and ‘Folktales from Africa’ by the North Coast’s own Dianne Stewart.

The delightful illustrations by Jane Heinrichs in ‘Up, Up and AWAY!’ are what first sold me on this sweet tale for younger children.

You will meet Mattie, an only child who lives on a farm, and was very lonely – until one night when an elephant came knocking at her window. This is the start of many magical adventures.

Dianne Stewart’s ‘Folktales from Africa’ are more suited for an older child, say in senior primary.

Packed full of stories from South Africa to Angola, Nigeria, Angola and beyond, this will provide enough stories for many bedside reading sessions.

But what sets it apart from other folktale books is the inclusion of a fact file from each of the countries visited.

So not only will children be able to learn from the cultural tales from each country, they will also learn something of the country and the people who live there.