The Book Tree The Book Tree Podcast

The Book Tree Podcast

Welcome to The Book Tree - a resource and home for children’s books and readers.

We find the best reads for your child – and you - by chatting to authors and illustrators, publishers and book store owners, literacy experts and teachers.

We also unpack issues around literacy and writing skills, finding ways to inspire and grow young readers and creative thinkers.

Your host is Corinne Rosmarin, journalist, children’s book author and organiser of the Kingsmead Young Writers’ Competition. Join us in exploring the ways, big and small, in which books and stories help us navigate life.

Oh, and by the way, we're always looking for book reviewers so there's free books up for grabs!

'There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not yet found the right book.' Author Frank Serafini

www.thebooktree.co.za
Occasionally English South Africa Books · Kids & Family
7 Episodes

Episode 7: Why We Need This Children’s Book About Apartheid

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…
6 Apr 36 min

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

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…
17 Nov 2024 36 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