In her debut children’s book, Making Friends with Feelings, Sewela Langeni challenges the societal stereotype that ‘boys don't cry’ through the story of a young boy named Lubabalo. While other children suggest that boys must be tough, Luba learns to listen to Lesedi, his imaginary friend, who encourages him to fully embrace his emotions. By validating sadness and other feelings, Langeni fosters resilience and open communication, teaching young readers, especially boys, that expressing vulnerability is healthy and normal.

Sewela reads the story in English and Sepedi.

Illustrated by Subi Bosa. Buy this book now from New Africa Books · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

In her debut children’s book, Making Friends with Feelings, Sewela Langeni challenges the societal stereotype that ‘boys don't cry’ through the story of a young boy named Lubabalo. While other children suggest that boys must be tough, Luba learns to listen to Lesedi, his imaginary friend, who encourages him to fully embrace his emotions. By validating sadness and other feelings, Langeni fosters resilience and open communication, teaching young readers, especially boys, that expressing vulnerability is healthy and normal.

Sewela reads the story in English and Sepedi.

Illustrated by Subi Bosa. Buy it now from New Africa Books · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

Kusekuqaleni kweminyaka yawo-1980 futhi nempilo ayilula eSoweto.

UPrincess ufuna usizo kuBaba wakhe bese kungekudala bazithole sebenedili letiye nabanye balabo ababelwelwa inkululeko abawosaziwayo

emlandweni waseNingizimu Afrika.

Indaba yezingane emnandi nevusa usinga emayelana nempilo ngesikhathi sishisa kakhulu isikhathi sobandlululo.

Illustrated by Sam van Riet Buy this book now [isiZulu] · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

It's the early 1980s and life in Soweto is not easy.

Princess looks to Baba for help and soon they are sharing a fantasy tea party with some of the greatest freedom fighters in South African history.

A tender and inspiring story for children about life during the height of apartheid.

The story presents history in an imaginative way, demonstrating how joy, encouragement and music can bring humanity and hope in challenging situations.

Illustrated by Sam van Riet. Buy this book now [isiZulu] · Buy this book now [English] · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

Diana Ferrus lees haar fassinerende kinderboek in Afrikaans.

Die bekroonde skrywer, digter en storieverteller, Dr Diana Ferrus, lees haar fassinerende kinderboek, Die Seun Wat Net Wou Dans. Almal ken die gevoel van ’n diepgewortelde droom wat amper onmoontlik voel om te bereik. Die Seun Wat Net Wou Dans gaan juis oor so ’n persoon Johaar Mosaval, ’n Moslem-seun, het van kleintyd af gedroom om te kan dans, spesifiek balletdans. Maar soveel dinge het in sy pad gestaan: diskriminasie, mense wat sy droom nie verstaan het nie, finansiële swaarkry – en al wat hy wou doen, is dans. Johaar se verhaal sou hom uiteindelik van Distrik Ses in die Kaap na Engeland se Koninklike Balletskool neem waar hy as hoofdanser regoor die wêreld gedans het, en sosiale en politieke grense oorgesteek en geskiedenis gemaak het. Die Seun Wat Net Wou Dans maak so Johaar Mosaval se verhaal van uithouvermoë, opofferings en talent toeganklik vir almal. Hierdie is ’n verhaal wat inspireer, bemoedig en bewys dat drome waar kan word. Koop die boek hier · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

Author, poet and storyteller, Diana Ferrus, reads her children's storybook.

Acclaimed author, poet and storyteller, Diana Ferrus, reads her fascinating children’s book, The Boy Who Loved to Dance. Johaar Mosaval wasn’t just a dancer. Growing up in District 6 during Apartheid, he faced both racial barriers and cultural expectations that Muslim boys shouldn’t dance. Against all odds, his passion for ballet led him from the streets of Cape Town to the grand stages of the world. He was a trailblazer, performing globally, even for royalty. After 25 years abroad, Johaar returned to Cape Town to pass on his love of ballet to children at home. The illustrated storybook is available at all good book stores now. Listen to the English version here. · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

What happens when kindness, compassion, love, and joy escape Diphofolong Forest? Join Khutšo Swafo on a journey through the life of Palesa and the animals of Diphoofolong Forest as they navigate a world turned upside down. Together, they aim to rediscover the harmony that once held them together. Parks and Read · Buy Khutšo Swafo's book now · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

Listen to this heartfelt story, read by author, Gomolemo Moagi.

Bontle is a beautiful girl with eyes as big as marbles and as sparkly as stars. Bontle loves going to school, but there is one thing Bontle needs that the other children don’t. Listen to the story in English or scroll through the episodes to find the story in Sesotho. Visit New Africa Books for Bontle's New Wheels: English, Sesotho, isiZulu · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

Gomolemo Moagi reads her book, Bontle's New Wheels, in Sesotho.

Bontle ke ngwanana ya dilemo tse supileng, o motle, ka mahlo a sootho a maholo a benya seka dinaledi. Bontle o rata ho ya sekolong empa ho na le seo Bontle a se hlokang seo bana ba that the other children don’t. bang ba sa se hlokeng.

Bontle is a seven-year-old girl, she is beautiful, with big brown eyes that shine like stars. Bontle loves going to school but there is something Bontle needs that the other children don’t. New Africa books, publisher of Bontle's New Wheels in Sesotho and English. · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

A rainbow baby is a child born after a pregnancy loss of any kind. This story song relates Sweet Little Rylee’s wonderment at her baby brother growing in her Mommy’s tummy. After Ryan is born, Rylee is a model older sister, and the story speaks of their sibling bond and the song they will share forever. This episode features the multi-talented Erica Afrika-Bredenkamp, who plays the role of Mom and entwines chorus vocals with Lynn Joffe. Written and narrated by Lynn Joffe. Co-composed by Lynn Joffe and Adam Howard. In memory of all the babies we never knew. The ones we loved. And the ones we’ve lost. Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list