Darryl David talks to Naomi Meyer about the SA Festival of Children’s Literature, taking place on Friday 3 May and Saturday 4 May 2024 at the UWC.
Darryl, it’s time for the SA Festival of Children’s Literature again. For any of our readers who have never heard of this festival: why a festival for specifically children’s literature?
Morning, Naomi. Yes, excitement is building for our SA Festival of Children’s Literature at the University of the Western Cape, in my Faculty of Education. Sadly, we have moved from Heartlands Baby Sanctuary in Somerset West. That having been said, the response to the move from surrounding schools has been phenomenal. I believe this will now become a flagship event for UWC.
Why a festival for children’s literature? If you look at the model for book festivals in this country, authors/illustrators of books for young readers are always on the fringe, never a part of the main festival. If you look at a book festival like Kingsmead Book Fair for instance, it started life out as a children’s book festival but quickly became a more mainstream book festival.
Furthermore, my job in a Faculty of Education made me realise that student teachers are ill-prepared to teach reading. Unless they come from homes where reading was at the centre of family life from grade one, they have not a clue what exists out there in terms of children’s literature. As I like to say, we train our teachers to analyse Shakespeare and miraculously think they will know how to instil in young learners a love for reading.
Luckily, my Afrikaans student teachers have embraced the festival. It augurs well for the future. But lots of work needs to be done.
Which authors are on the programme, and are there any highlights you wish to mention?
There are some great authors lined up for the festival. I am really looking forward to a book by Kathryn Pillay, Stephanie Ebert and illustrator Paddy Bouma, telling a very Pietermaritzburg yet universal story of how Gandhi became the Mahatma. Even as a child growing up in Pietermaritzburg, I always felt there was something profound in this story. Now, a new generation of young readers will get to know the story.
Bianca Flanders has just won an IBBY Award for her children’s book, Pumpkin finds her beat. In fact, I am proud to say that we invited Bianca at the end of last year’s festival.
Then Mark de Wet, a newcomer to Hermanus, has written a wonderful book for children about whales. I predict great things for this book. What this shows is that sometimes all it takes is a pair of new eyes to transform our everyday stories into stories for children.
Something also tells me that Robyn Lane’s book, Maybe I’ll be a tree, will be a book children love.
On the subject of trees, I will be reading a New Zealand story about a tree that is a national monument. I discovered this story on my recent trip to New Zealand. It was written by the mayor of Featherston’s wife, Tania.
And then it’s taken me over two years to get Paula Fourie to speak at our festival. Her book, Die hond met die stert sonder swaai, is a thing of beauty. The illustrations are simply beautiful. Even if there were no words, I would buy this book.
You know, the wonder of this festival, Naomi, is the creative work that independent authors are doing. I am, for instance, so looking forward to Marieta McGrath’s book, Die reis van die dapper hart, the Afrikaans translation of overseas author Natalie Knox’s critically acclaimed book, The mending chronicles of Liam and Emily. As far as I can remember, this is the first story at our festival on the theme of divorce.
Oh, there are so many beautiful books out there. Yours included, Naomi. But it would be remiss of me not to announce that this year, the Children’s Laureate Award will be presented to Piet Grobler, for his lifelong contribution to children’s literature. Most people don’t realise that Piet is within a few books of reaching 100 books published. His illustrations are singular, and it’s an oeuvre that deserves recognition.
Will this be like any normal book festival, where the grown-ups sit and talk on stage – or will there be interaction with the kids, as well?
No, it is a children’s book festival. Lots of singing on the programme. And lots of reading to children. We have almost 200 children coming to the festival, some from special needs schools. So, it won’t be like a normal festival. In years to come, I would like to persuade my dean to hire jumping castles, face painters, etc. But Rome was not built in a day – although, if I had a hefty bank balance …. I am especially looking forward to Danielle Kotze’s session. She will literally sing with children and tell them the story of Zebbie the Zebra.
And in your session, Naomi, Elsibe McGuffog will also be singing. I was hoping that as a musician yourself, you might also surprise us.
And then my colleague, Nigel Prinsloo from the Faculty of Education, will literally be having sing-alongs with the children the whole day on Friday.
While it is fun for the children, I believe that it will be a learning experience for our student teachers, who no doubt have forgotten what it means to be a child and who can relearn what children love.
Do you think that schools should take note?
Yes, please! Please encourage primary school teachers, student teachers and parents to bring their children – we have lots of space, especially for the Saturday morning.
Practicalities: where exactly does this festival take place? What are the ticket prices?
The festival is absolutely free. The University of the Western Cape is surrounded by some of the poorest communities in South Africa. We need to make such events open to as many children as possible. Rather than charge an entrance fee, we want children to be able to go home with a book or at least carry a story that they heard at the festival in their hearts for the rest of their school days, at least.
The festival is being held at the Faculty of Education in the Richard van der Ross Resource Centre/Library. It’s a beautiful space. And it promises to be a beautiful festival.
If you cannot join the festival in person, please register via Zoom here.
Also read:
Onderwyshulp en leesbegripstrategieë 7: Die maak van afleidings
Open Book Youth Festival 2024: an interview with Bianca Flanders
My eerste Afrika-avontuur deur Riaan Manser vir lesers drie of 300, ’n lesersindruk