Children will celebrate a month of reading, fun and adventure in March, when Exclusive Books will transform its stores into a magical world for children in their annual Children’s Book Festival, where authors and entertainers will bring stories to life and unleash young imaginations.

Running every Saturday in March at Exclusive Book stores across South Africa, the Children’s Festival aims to encourage literacy and reading amongst the South African youth.
This year the festival promises more fun and games as it focuses on children’s all time favourites and classics. The 2009 programme of events relates specifically to the most popular children’s book series and celebrates South Africa’s best-loved children’s authors.

Some of the “triple whipple fudgelitious” series to be featured include:  Where’s Wally?; Paddington Bear; The Chronicles of Narnia; The Gruffalo; Magic Ballerina; Spiderwick Chronicles; Miffy and National Geographic Kids Magazine. Afrikaans titles such as Brolloks en Bittergal by CJ Langenhoven and Nuwe Kinderverseboek by Riana Scheepers and Suzette Kotzé-Myburgh will also play a major part in the festival.

Exclusive Books stores will also be hosting some of South Africa’s award winning children’s authors, namely: Antjie Krog (author of Fynbos Feetjies); Jaco Jacobs (author of Die Teddiebeerbus en ander rympies); Chris van Wyk (author of Ouma Ruby’s Secret); Niki Daly (author of Zanzibar Road); Maryanne and Shayle Bester (authors of Cool Nguni Series) and Dorothy Kowen (author of Nyama and the Eland).

Exclusive Books believes that it is vital for parents to foster a love of reading in children. “To raise an avid reader is to raise a child who is confident and engaged with the diversity of life. Through the festival, we invite children across South Africa to take the opportunity to meet their favourite authors and to participate in the fantasy and fun of books,” states Batya Green-Bricker, Exclusive Books Marketing Manager. “This invaluable experience encourages our children to uncover the magic between the pages of books, and cultivate a life-long love of reading.”

A highlight of the Festival programme will be the guest appearance of talented young writer, Andy Petersen. To coincide with the release of his debut novel, Daniel Fox and the Jester’s Legacy in March, Exclusive Books will host three book launches for Andy as part of the Children’s Festival programme of events.

The agenda is over flowing with delicious goodies and even includes two musical shows namely: Putumayo Kids Show by Putumayo World Music and The African Alphabet by Graeme Sacks.

Selected Exclusive Books stores in Gauteng, Free State, Pretoria, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Western Cape will participate in the Children’s Festival. For more information about the programme of events and the participating stores, contact your nearest Exclusive Books or click here to download the full programme of events.

* SUNDAY TIMES LIFESTYLE AND EXCLUSIVE BOOKS ARE GIVING FIVE READERS THE CHANCE TO WIN HAMPERS OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS WORTH R1000 EACH. TO ENTER SIMPLY TELL US: WHEN DOES THE EXCLUSIVE BOOKS CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL TAKE PLACE? SEND YOUR ANSWERS TO SUNDAY TIMES LIFESTYLE/EXCLUSIVE BOOKS COMPETITION PO BOX 1742 SAXONWOLD 2132. THE COMPETITION CLOSES ON MARCH 29.

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