The Book Tree Podcast

Leo Daly, son of renown author Niki Daly, shares his new picture book, The Giant and the Olive and talks about writing a story about grief, what makes for a good book (spoiler: there's no formula) and how to follow a story idea and bring it to life.

Butterfly Heart by Lalu Mokuku is a beautifully tender story of a young friendship between two young girls and the grief and healing that follows when one falls ill and passes away. We chat to Lalu about writing about grief and how to use books as a springboard to help children process loss. The Book Tree Website

Do you have a children's book you dream of getting published?

Find out more about the publishing scene in South Africa with Brad and Alison Harris of Imagnary House Publishers, one of South Africa's most successful independent publishers. Imagnary House is an award-winning South African publishing house and media developer with a massive heart for imaginative storytelling driven by authentic characters. Founded in 2015 by Brad Harris and Alison Harris, they have a heartwarming and creatively vibrant array of locally produced books in their stable. 

Winners of the Bologna Prize for Best Children's Book Publisher: Africa in 2025 they are currently expanding beyond books into audio, animation, and experiential retail. www.thebooktree.co.za

How to Build Your Child's Creativity and Imagination

‘To be able to ideate, to think a fresh thought and offer it, is the only hope for our future.’

Join us for an enlightening chat with Lindi Bell, educational innovator and the founder of Small World School, the first Reggio-inspired school in South Africa. She shares how a child’s imagination and creativity are linked, and explains how reading, playing, boredom, open-ended time and a space to create are the keys to a child’s success. Find out how to help your children thrive!

With over 30 years of experience teaching across every age group, Lindi has become known for her fierce belief that children are strong, capable, creative and deeply intelligent—and that this should be celebrated.

Plus the best holiday book suggestions from Penguin Random House's Children's Sales Representative, Shinola Govender.

Many people say they want to write a children's book. We chatted to bestselling author Refiloe Moahloli to find out how she made it happen.

From an early career in the corporate world, and a life changing trip to Mumbai, Refiloe took a chance and dedicated herself to her dream of writing children's books - with a clear plan in action. As one of South Africa's best known children's book authors with the popular How Many Ways series, her story is inspiring and relatable.

We chat to her about gratitude, inspiration, how a writing course set her on her path and how she finds the time to create her stories. We also review her latest book, How Many Ways Can You Say Thank You.

Plus reviews of Salamina Mosese's latest book, Neo's Invisible Blanket and the YA thriller In The Company of Killers by Elora Cook.

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Find out more at: www.thebooktree.co.za and instagram: @booktreetalk

It can be overwhelming deciding what to buy at the book store. So many books! So many fun, colourful covers! So much money spent, you want to be sure it's a winner! We have the best tips on how to select books for your children. Did you know there is a Five Finger Rule when it comes to deciding if a book is too easy, too hard or just right for your child?

Plus we get the lowdown on all the best books coming from Penguin Random House from now until December 2025 with Children’s Sales Representative Shinola Govender. Hint: A Taylor Swift toddler book is on the cards, a gripping new book in the Percy Jackson follow up series by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro and a book shelf of new graphic novels and fantasy books for tweens. We cannot wait!

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Literacy activist Marjorie Brown uses book quizzes to spark a love of reading and boost literacy in schools in South Africa. "Reading is just as important as sports for our general wellbeing" believes Brown and we couldn't agree more.

Anti-Apartheid and literacy activist Marjorie Brown has transformed children’s lives by running the International Kids' Lit Quiz and starting her own local version, Phendulani Quiz for disadvantaged schools. She was nominated for the Global Teacher Award and embodies the passion and commitment the South African education system needs. The competitions, which focus on the top readers from Grade 5-7, connect and celebrate children with a passion and skill for reading. The international finals will be held on 13 August 2025 at St John's Prep in Johannesburg.

You can find out more about Kids Lit Quiz here and Phendulani Quiz here...

www.kidslitquiz.com and www.phendulani.com

Book Reviews this month include:

Claris the Chicest Mouse in Paris by Megan Hess ( Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing), Dance To Your Own Beat by Refiloe Moahloli and illustrated by Gabi Boy (Pan Macmillan), The Comet by Joe Todd Stanton (Flying Eye Books), Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey and illustrated by Mika Song (Chronicle Books) and the YA book, Uprooted by Naomi Novik (Pan Books).

Find us on Apple and Spotify. Follow us on @booktreetalk

We know that books can make us feel better. But did you know there is a therapy that prescribes reading as a tool to improve your well-being?

Bibliotherapy is the healing art of reading and it’s helping children and adults to process life events, normalise their issues, offer relatable characters and situations and find healing between the pages of a book. While it is not a cure-all, scientific studies show that reading helps adults and children with certain health, mental and developmental conditions.

The origins can be traced to World War One, when soldiers were given books and poetry to ease their suffering and trauma. It returned in the 1990's and has experienced a recent surge in popularity.

We talk to Bijal Shah, bibliotherapist, author, book curator and founder of Book Therapy about her reading journey.

Find out more about Bijal’s work here: https://www.booktherapy.io/pages/about-bijal.

Her books: The Happiness Mindset and Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading are available on Amazon.co.za

Why do so many children love the Percy Jackson series? Tess Rayner, co-founder of Akasha School, interviews her son, 12 year old Tom, who is racing through the series.

Our book reviews this month include Vampi The Flying Guinea Pig by Lori-Ann Preston, Bongi Ballerina Takes A Bow by Kristien Potgieter, Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love and Where The Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan.

In this episode I interview Xolisa Guzula, author and literacy scholar about her new book Together Apart: The Story of Living in Apartheid.

This is an important children's book. Yes, it’s been 30 years since Apartheid ended. And we still need to understand how it shaped South Africa in so many ways, both visible and invisible. Xolisa explains why she co-wrote this book now, with historian Athambile Masola (Ph.D) and how it can be shared with children to explain differences and promote caring and understanding.

I also talk about why getting children out of screens and into books is vital. With the Netflix series, Adolescence out, you need to know about the toxic Incel culture and what misogynistic voices our kids are exposed to. Let this series jolt you awake to become aware of what your children are consuming. And give them the love, support and safety they need at home to weather the truly difficult time of being a teenager in this crazy world. For support on this, contact Klik'd, a local company providing digital guidance to parents. 

Finally we review three proudly South African books for your little ones, to inspire their self-belief and confidence. Brave Like Me is a true story of braveness in the face of discrimination by Zulaikha Patel, the gorgeous All That I Am – A collection Of South African Poems and Songs is edited by Refiloe Moahloli and The South African Alphabet of Affirmations has powerful kid's affirmations in all 11 languages.

LISTEN, SHARE and COMMENT

Award-winning author and illustrator Emily House shares her journey and tips on how to find your style, create a portfolio and pitch your work. Books reviewed include One More Story, a beautifully illustrated picture book about the adventure of reading, the hilarious Rabbit & Bear Series about a grumpy rabbit and a cheerful bear, and Storm Child, a young teen story following a surfer girl navigating her family’s financial difficulties.