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Shortlist Announcement - Otto Foundation Children’s Book Award

Press Release: 2 October 2024


The Otto Foundation is excited to reveal the shortlists for its inaugural Children’s Book Award. The award was conceived with the aim to support local publishers, promote new authors and illustrators, and to recognise quality South African storytelling.


A wonderful variety of books were nominated by the local book community. The Otto Foundation team reviewed all the submissions and selected the shortlist. Describing the shortlisting process, Nonikiwe Mashologu, Otto Foundation Director of Partnerships, notes: "The shortlisted books were selected based on the award criteria, including authentic South African representation, originality, and the quality of writing and illustration. Our team also prioritised books that promote understanding and respect for different perspectives and identities.” 

celebrating South African stories and promoting diversity in children’s literature

Pam Hoffman, Director of Literacy, Learning and Curriculum at the Otto Foundation, expressed her excitement about the submissions: "It was inspiring to see the diversity in people, places, and experiences represented in the nominated books. Local authors and illustrators are doing remarkable work, creating books that will resonate with South Africa children and truly spark a love for reading."

local authors are doing remarkable work, creating books that will resonate with South African children

The Foundation is awarding two book prizes: one for a picture book targeted at learners aged 5 to 9, and one for a chapter book or graphic novel aimed at learners aged 10 to 13.


The shortlists are as follows:


Picture Books


  • Kaaskoek Eet die Wêreld/ Cheesecake Eats the World  by Celest Lotter

  • Making Friends with Feelings by Sewela Langeni

  • Nikiwe’s Magical Glass Door by Refilwe Nsibande

  • Pelli Can! by Irene Berman

  • Pumpkin Finds Her Beat by Bianca Flanders

  • Shoma and the Stars by Maya Wegerif

  • Superheroes of the Savannah by Marleen Lammers

  • The First Story Ever Told by Griffin Shea

  • Zandi’s Song by Zandile Ndhlovu

Chapter Books & Graphic Novels


  • Hector: A Boy, A Protest, and the Photograph that Changed Apartheid by Adrienne Wright

  • Pearl of the Sea by Anthony Silverston

  • The Legend of Mamlambo by Charles Siboto

  • Leo Jantjies and the Esports World Championship by Sally Partridge

  • Rodentia by Luke Calder

  • Tilly & Thandeka: The Star Siblings by Nicole Rimensberger

  • Marked by Gillian D’achada

  • One Step at a Time by Gregory Maqoma

The shortlisted titles will be included in the Otto Foundation’s Reading Relay, which is hosted among six schools in the District Six area in Cape Town. Book reviews submitted by participating learners during the relay process will be considered in the final selection of the award winners by an advisory panel. 


The winners will receive prize money to the value of R25 000 each. The winning titles will also be promoted through the foundation’s website and social media channels.


The advisory panel includes:

  • Brandon Grant - Children’s Book Curator, The Book Lounge

  • Pam Hoffman - Director of Literacy, Learning & Curriculum, Otto Foundation

  • Nonikiwe Mashologu - Director of Partnerships, Otto Foundation

  • Thembela Mbatha - Book Blogger, Afro Mom Reads

  • Boipelo Ngakane - Founder, Bala le Nna Bookstore

  • Julia Norrish - Executive Director, Book Dash

  • Beverley Pettit - Librarian, Grove Primary School

  • Samantha Waligo - Book Blogger, Sammikoalareads


The Otto Foundation Book Award winners will be announced in January 2025. 


For more information about the Otto Foundation Children’s Book Award shortlist or the Otto Foundation Reading Relay, please contact Nonikiwe Mashologu, Director of Stakeholder & Partnerships, at nonikiwe@ottofoundation.org.


To learn more about the Otto Foundation and its initiatives, visit www.ottofoundation.org.


Detail on the award categories, eligible titles, the reward criteria, and the process for selecting the award winners can be found in this award overview document.

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