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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