Children’s Books
A Hong Kong ABC
~ featuring Christopher & the Cat
While living in Hong Kong, I was unable to find a fun, educational children’s book explaining this unique place to my young son and as a reminder of the place where he was born. The solution… I wrote and illustrated this popular book. Although it has been out of print for some years, I am currently working on a new version of it.
Hardcover
Publisher: Printline
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9628501119
ISBN-13: 978-9628501113
An African ABC
~ featuring Christopher, Lauren & the Cat
I created “An African ABC” after my daughter, Lauren, was born and we had returned to Africa. Young children will enjoy the sound of the words read to them by an adult, older children will be stimulated to improve and increase their vocabularies, while adults will delight in the charming alliterations and imagery. Bright, detailed illustrations highlight the flora, fauna, places and customs of Africa.
Hardcover: 70 pages
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa;
14th printing edition (2019)
Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1868727033
ISBN-13: 978-1868727032
A Baobab is Big
Once again, I drew inspiration from the flora and fauna of Africa to create this richly illustrated book of verse. Children will love the bright colours, textures and detail in the pictures. At the back of the book are fascinating facts that help educate adults and children alike and ‘add value’ to the book.
Hardcover: 72 pages
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
(August 1, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781868729463
ISBN-13: 978-186872946
The Queen of Green
The Queen of Green was designed for children, as well as their teachers, to help understand what it means to ‘go green’ and how they can help in taking better care of our precious planet. Through humorous verse, marvellous illustrations, tips and facts, this book helps get to the heart of the matter – we need to love the earth. Children can learn to be a part of the solution, rather than the problem, and have fun at the same time. ‘Global warming’ and ‘climate change’ are explained in a way for the young to understand. A must-have book for every child. Their parents, grandparents and teachers might also learn something new!
Hardcover: 86 pages
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa (2010)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 9781770078123
123 Me
A little English/Shona counting book to help early readers get to grips with numbers while also getting to know a few words in another language. Bright happy illustrations and an easy read.
Shona is one of the native languages of Zimbabwe.
Softcover: 16 pages
Publisher: Diki Dinky Books (2011)
Language: English/Shona
Commissioned Illustrated Books
Kubuka & The Magic Calabash
Written by Janet Keegans
Set in Africa at the time of drought, this is the tale of Kubuka's quest to find the magic calabash - following an instruction given to him by Amanzi, the rain spirit, who dwells in the depths of a baobab tree. The story weaves fact with myth in an adventure that will enthral children. The places (both real and fictional) and the names of the characters are pure African, with many references from southern Africa and the area around Great Zimbabwe in particular.
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Struik Publishers; New title edition (2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1868729508
ISBN-13: 978-186872950
Nama Kwa’s Garden
Written by Mary Clanahan
A modern African folktale, telling the story of Chief Nama Kwa who is always disappointed when he sees the Forgotten Land, a desert destitute of life. So, his people decide to plant flowers there as a birthday present to him, with surprising results.
Hardcover: 72 pages
Publisher: Struik Publishers (30 Sept. 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1770070257
ISBN-13: 978-177007025
Chizi’s Tale
Written by Jack Jones
This a wonderful and true story, written by Jack Jones, about an orphaned black rhino. Chizi was taken in by the manager of the local national park. The little rhino is raised along with his own children and becomes a big part of the family. Chizi’s Tale teaches us that we all can, and should, show compassion and highlights the plight of endangered species. I loved doing the illustrations for this book and was lucky enough to meet Chizi, too.
The author donates all proceeds to Tusk, to be used for black rhino conservation.
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa (2017)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1432307394