Episode 3: Do You Want to Be A Children's Book Author?

Loading player...
Lori-Ann Preston, author of the Trixie and Thabo series, talks about her writing process, writing competitions, rejection letters, mischievous characters and the power of self-publishing.

Plus our favourite picture book of the year: Big Shoes To Fill, an exciting new debut from Upile uThixo Bongco. And The Garbage King, a moving story written by Elizabeth Laird for ages 10-15, about the power of courage and friendship between two boys living on the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Have you heard about the Substack phenomenon? Everyone's on it. We share a list of great children's book authors' substacks to follow.
17 Nov 2024 English South Africa Books · Kids & Family

Other recent episodes

Episode 6: How to be a Children’s Book Illustrator

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…
3 Mar 50 min

Episode 5: Kingsmead Young Writers’ Competition and Nicole Rimensberger

Get your child hooked on creative writing. The Kingsmead Young Writers’ Competition 2025 is open to all 6-18 year olds and it opens on February 3rd and closes on March 31st 2025. Entry forms here: https://kingsmead.co.za/bookfair/young-writers-comp/ywc-2025/ For tips on how to make your writing stand out and avoid some common…
3 Feb 33 min

Episode 4: Holiday Reads for Kids – A Special from The Book Tree Podcast

Discover the best children’s books to buy, with Verushka Louw, Children's Sales Representative at Jonathan Ball Publishers. Find out why non-fiction books make the best gifts for kids, and get expert tips on how to get your children reading. Plus, we’re all joining the heartwarming “Jolabokaflod’ trend from Iceland where…
13 Dec 2024 28 min

Episode 2: Annelize Clark from Bellavista SHARE on Dyslexia & Reading Skills

Dyslexia & Reading Skills How can you help dyslexic children with their reading skills? And how old should children be when they learn to read? Annelize Clark, Occupational Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Intervention, and Foundation Phase Teacher at Bellavista SHARE, a remedial school in Johannesburg, shares…
28 Oct 2024 40 min

Episode 1: Lorato Trok from Nal'ibali on why children need to hear stories out loud.

Lorato Trok, director of Nal'ibali, a national reading campaign, explains how teaching in mother tongue may improve SA’s literacy levels and why hearing stories is as important as reading them. https://nalibali.org/ Plus a few book recommendations. Best new picture book, Who Ate Steve, by Susannah Lloyd (Nosy Crow), the trending…
1 Sep 2024 34 min