Children’s programme 2024

The Exclusive Books store will be housed in Joel Hall this year

STORY TIME STUDIO
STORY TIME STUDIO
STORY TIME STUDIO
Unicorns & Dinosaurs
09:30 - 10:00 | Age 4-8<br>Click for more information

09:30 - 10:00
Dive into a story time where we'll explore the enchanting world of Unicorns & Dinosaurs. But the fun doesn't stop there! After the reading, we'll embark on a creative journey of making themed crafts.
Age: 4-8
NO UNACCOMPANIED UNDER 4s.

Gabby's Dollhouse and Paw Patrol
10:30 - 11:00 | Age 4-8<br>Click for more information

10:30 - 11:00
Enter into the enchanting world of Gabby and her friends along with Ryder and his team of pups. After the reading, children will get an opportunity to craft their own keepsakes inspired by the world of Gabby's Dollhouse and Paw Patrol.
Age: 4-8
NO UNACCOMPANIED UNDER 4s.

Nosy Crow
11:30 - 12:00 | Age 4-8<br>Click for more information

11:30 - 12:00
Join us for a magical afternoon of storytelling. We will dive into the enchanting world of Nosy Crow books, filled with tales that spark the imagination and joy in every reader. After the storytelling, stick around for some hands-on fun with themed activities and crafts inspired by the stories you'll hear.
Age: 4-8
NO UNACCOMPANIED UNDER 4s.

Dr Seuss
12:30 - 13:00 | Age 4-8<br>Click for more information

12:30 - 13:00
Calling all Dr Seuss fans! Get ready to dive into the colourful, rhyming world of Dr Seuss. Whether you’re a fan of the Cat in the Hat or the Lorax, we have a story for you. After the stories, stick around for exciting Seuss-themed crafts and activities.
Age: 4-8
NO UNACCOMPANIED UNDER 4s.

Mr Men & Little Miss and the Big Bright Feelings
13:30 - 14:20 | Age 4-8<br>Click for more information

13:30 - 14:20
We are calling all little readers! Join us as we explore the wonderful world of Mr Men & Little Miss and the Big Bright Feelings series by Tom Percival. We’ll be reading stories to help children explore and understand all the big feelings of being small. Exciting activities and crafts will follow the reading. Mr Bump & Little Miss Sunshine will also attend a meet and greet.
Age: 4-8
NO UNACCOMPANIED UNDER 4s.

IMAGINATION STUDIO
IMAGINATION STUDIO
IMAGINATION STUDIO
A Friend For All Seasons
09:30 - 10:00 | Age 4-8<br>Click for more information

09:30 - 10:00
Read with author Refiloe Moahloli from her new book, A Friend For All Seasons, an endearing story about friendship and empathy that encourages us to express ourselves and support others in doing the same.
Age: 4-8

The Speedy Six Olympics
10:30 - 11:00 | Age 4-8<br>Click for more information

10:30 - 11:00
Who will claim the title of the speediest animal in the wild? Join author Roslynne Toerien for crafts and listen to her read from her new book The Speedy Six Olympics and find out for yourself!
Age: 4-8

The Joy Dancer
11:30 - 12:00 | Age 5-8<br>Click for more information

11:30 - 12:00
Take a jubilant look at the extraordinary life of world- famous dancer and choreographer, Gregory Maqoma, as he shares with us his legacy book, The Joy Dancer. Gregory had a dream to dance, and through his journey of self-discovery he reminds children that their dreams can take them on extraordinary adventures too!
Age: 5-8

And then what happened?
12:30 - 13:00 | Age 8-12<br>Click for more information

12:30 - 13:00
Organiser of the Kingsmead Young Writers’ Competition, Corinne Rosmarin, shares top tips on how to plot a page-turning story in her writing workshop entitled And then what happened?
Age: 8-12

The Forgotten Four
13:30 - 14:20 | Age 4-8<br>Click for more information

13:30 - 14:20
You’ve heard of the Big Five, but which animals make up a lesser known but equally captivating group? Join author Roslynne Toerien for fun crafts and listen to her read from her new book The Forgotten Four and find out for yourself!
Age: 4-8

AUTHOR STUDIO
AUTHOR STUDIO
AUTHOR STUDIO
Popcorn
09:30 - 10:00 | Age 8-11<br>Click for more information

09:30 - 10:00
Popcorn the rescue chicken became a beacon of hope for all South Africans and a beloved member of Naomi Holdt’s family. Let psychologist, author and speaker Naomi share the story of this feathered social media star who proves that despite the deepest darkness, there is always light … and it is called hope! Bonus: fun interactive games & prizes.
Age: 8-11

Fab Farm
10:30 - 11:00 | Age 7+<br>Click for more information

10:30 - 11:00
Welcome to Deedee's Fabulous Farm! (Well, actually, it’s her back garden, and it’s open for any and all animals in need!) Lori Anne Preston presents her latest book, Fab Farm, and shows us that being an animal lover and wanting to help has its own set of unique challenges!
Age: 7+

Hector
11:30 - 12:00 | Age 7+<br>Click for more information

11:30 - 12:00
On June 16, 1976, Hector Pieterson, an ordinary boy, lost his life after getting caught up in what was supposed to be a peaceful protest. These heartbreaking events finally woke up the world and helped lead to the end of apartheid. Join Hector’s sister, Antoinette Sithole as she reads from this beautifully illustrated picture book of his life, Hector, and shares her experiences of that fateful day.
Age: 7+

Zoya & Naru – An African Journey of a Boy and an Elephant
12:30 - 13:00 | Age 5+<br>Click for more information

12:30 - 13:00
Join world-renowned conservationist and founder of Elephants Alive, Marlene McCay, as she reads from the beautifully illustrated, Zoya & Naru – An African Journey of a Boy and an Elephant. This compelling tale of friendship, courage and hope in the face of adversity will appeal to children of all ages (and their parents too).
Age: 5+

My First Wild Island Adventure
13:30 - 14:20 | Age 10+<br>Click for more information

13:30 - 14:20
World renowned explorer Riaan Manser is truly in a league of his own, having circumnavigated the entire continent of Africa by bicycle! His latest book My First Wild Island Adventure tells of how he became the first person to circumnavigate the world's fourth largest island, Madagascar, by kayak - alone and unaided. Get ready to be blown away by a real-life legend!
Age: 10+

ABC STUDIO
ABC STUDIO
ABC STUDIO
Remarkable Me
09:30 - 10:00 | Age 2-11<br>Click for more information

09:30 - 10:00
With a message for all South African children, Tshwanelo Serumola, shows you how to build confidence and resilience from a young age, with easy-to-follow rhyming text and bright inclusive illustrations in her new book, Remarkable Me.
Age: 2-11

All aboard the Puzzle Train
10:30 - 11:00 | Age 3-9<br>Click for more information

10:30 - 11:00
All aboard the Puzzle Train and make sure to watch out for the Alien Spy’s along the way! Join author Richard Edwards as he reads from his entertaining books and enjoy an interactive session with word games and fun!
Age: 3-9

Celebrating Our Differences : Embracing My Superpowers
11:30 - 12:00 | Age <br>Click for more information

11:30 - 12:00
A heartwarming story about the lives of three exceptional children living with disabilities. Let Nkateko Emily Mabasa demonstrate how all our unique qualities reveal the beauty of our differences in her new book, Celebrating Our Differences : Embracing My Superpowers.
Age:

Tippie The Elephant
12:30 - 13:00 | Age 3-5<br>Click for more information

12:30 - 13:00
Fun for the young ones! Learning is always fun with the proudly South African Tippie The Elephant and her engaging stories of everyday adventures. Join the Kingsmead drama team for an engaging and entertaining look at learning through play!
Age: 3-5

Getting To Know & Love My Changing Body
13:30 - 14:20 | Age 9-13<br>Click for more information

13:30 - 14:20
Join Dr Mpume Zenda, author of Mommy My Body’s Changing, and her daughter Busi for a relaxed yet educational talk around puberty in Getting To Know & Love My Changing Body. Parents and educators can also pick up tips on how to Un-Embarrass the moment and create a safe space to talk about coming of age issues.
Age: 9-13

MEDIA CENTRE
MEDIA CENTRE
MEDIA CENTRE
Once Upon a Sign – Ayen’s First Day
09:30 - 10:00 | Age 9+<br>Click for more information

09:30 - 10:00
Starting a new school can be daunting, but for Ayen being different makes it even harder. Nancy Gaylard shows us how being unique and being ourselves will get us over any obstacle in her book Once Upon a Sign – Ayen’s First Day.
Age: 9+

Mini-workshop
10:30 - 11:00 | Age 7+<br>Click for more information

10:30 - 11:00
Calling all artists! Karen Vermeulen, illustrator of Wanjiku Child of Mine and It’s Just Skin Silly invites you to a mini-workshop on how to draw fun and engaging characters. Pencils, paper and crayons provided.
Age: 7+

Bongi Ballerina
11:30 - 12:00 | Age 6-10<br>Click for more information

11:30 - 12:00
Embrace your uniqueness whilst also trying new things with author Kristien Potgieter and her delightful creation - Bongi Ballerina. Enjoy an interactive character-creating activity, and take home some Bongi colouring-in pages too!
Age: 6-10

Jessie and the Riverine Rabbits
12:30 - 13:00 | Age 6-10<br>Click for more information

12:30 - 13:00
A reading of the picture book Jessie and the Riverine Rabbits by author Marissa Steynberg. Find out who Jessie was, her work in conservation, and how animals become an endangered species.
Age: 6-10

Rodentia: Mosela and the Three Kingdoms
13:30 - 14:20 | Age 7-9<br>Click for more information

13:30 - 14:20
Join game designer and animator Luke Calder as he unveils his epic fantasy -- Rodentia: Mosela and the Three Kingdoms. From idea development to character design, world-building to illustration, this is a fascinating look at producing a children’s fantasy novel. The Mouse King, pesky pirate penguins and a perilous journey are waiting for you!
Age: 7-9

THE BOOK ROOM
THE BOOK ROOM
THE BOOK ROOM
A Magical Money Lesson
09:30 - 10:00 | Age 6-12<br>Click for more information

09:30 - 10:00
Join us for a truly South African money story as Coco the Money Bunny teaches us a ‘magical money lesson’. We will be embarking on an enchanting journey about saving, investing and compound interest.
(Sponsored by Standard Bank – Wealth and Investment)
Age: 6-12

Ylva The Undercover Unicorn
10:30 - 11:00 | Age 6-9<br>Click for more information

10:30 - 11:00
Get whisked away into magical worlds and fantasy landscapes through secret portals. But your help is needed. The unicorn world is in trouble and running out of power… Join author Mark Donker as he introduces you to Ylva The Undercover Unicorn and reads from the three books in this delightful fantasy series.
Age: 6-9

Charlie Cheetah and the Chain
11:30 - 12:00 | Age 4-12<br>Click for more information

11:30 - 12:00
Join budding conservationist and young writer Muhammad Wadee for a reading of his book, Charlie Cheetah and the Chain, and learn how each and every animal plays an important part in the food chain and the ecosystem.
Age: 4-12

The Call of the Go Away Bird
12:30 - 13:00 | Age 9+<br>Click for more information

12:30 - 13:00
A camping trip in the Magalies-burg forces Tia to face her loneliness and rediscover her sense of fun after her best friend leaves for Australia. The Call of the Go Away Bird by Clare Kerchhoff is a coming of age story especially for South African children. Bonus: watch as Clare and her young friends act out some of the scenes just for you!
Age: 9+

I Can Explore SA
13:30 - 14:20 | Age 4-8<br>Click for more information

13:30 - 14:20
Let author Neesha Pillay take you on an exciting journey to explore the magnificent wonders of South Africa with her book I Can Explore SA. Join her for a fun game of identifying fabulous places.
Age: 4-8