The Book Tree Podcast

Episode 14: A Book About Grief and Loss with Lalu Mokuku

Butterfly Heart by Lalu Mokuku is a beautifully tender story of a young friendship between two young girls and the grief and healing that follows when one falls ill and passes away. We chat to Lalu about writing about grief and how to use books as a springboard to help children process loss. The Book Tree Website [https://www.thebooktree.co.za/the-book-tree-podcast/]

Episode 13: How To Get Your Book Published

Do you have a children's book you dream of getting published? Find out more about the publishing scene in South Africa with Brad and Alison Harris of Imagnary House Publishers, one of South Africa's most successful independent publishers. Imagnary House is an award-winning South African publishing house and media developer with a massive heart for imaginative storytelling driven by authentic characters. Founded in 2015 by Brad Harris and Alison Harris, they have a heartwarming and creatively vibrant array of locally produced books in their stable.  Winners of the Bologna Prize for Best Children's Book Publisher: Africa in 2025 they are currently expanding beyond books into audio, animation, and experiential retail. www.thebooktree.co.za [https://www.thebooktree.co.za/episode-13-how-to-get-published/]

Episode 12 - How to Build Your Child's Creativity and Imagination

How to Build Your Child's Creativity and Imagination ‘To be able to ideate, to think a fresh thought and offer it, is the only hope for our future.’ Join us for an enlightening chat with Lindi Bell, educational innovator and the founder of Small World School, the first Reggio-inspired school in South Africa. She shares how a child’s imagination and creativity are linked, and explains how reading, playing, boredom, open-ended time and a space to create are the keys to a child’s success. Find out how to help your children thrive! With over 30 years of experience teaching across every age group, Lindi has become known for her fierce belief that children are strong, capable, creative and deeply intelligent—and that this should be celebrated. Plus the best holiday book suggestions from Penguin Random House's Children's Sales Representative, Shinola Govender.

Episode 11: Do you want to be a children's book author?

Many people say they want to write a children's book. We chatted to bestselling author Refiloe Moahloli to find out how she made it happen. From an early career in the corporate world, and a life changing trip to Mumbai, Refiloe took a chance and dedicated herself to her dream of writing children's books - with a clear plan in action. As one of South Africa's best known children's book authors with the popular How Many Ways series, her story is inspiring and relatable. We chat to her about gratitude, inspiration, how a writing course set her on her path and how she finds the time to create her stories. We also review her latest book, How Many Ways Can You Say Thank You. Plus reviews of Salamina Mosese's latest book, Neo's Invisible Blanket and the YA thriller In The Company of Killers by Elora Cook. Please follow and subscribe! We'd love to hear from you and find out what you'd like us to cover next. Find out more at: www.thebooktree.co.za and instagram: @booktreetalk

EPISODE 10: How To Choose Books For Your Children

It can be overwhelming deciding what to buy at the book store. So many books! So many fun, colourful covers! So much money spent, you want to be sure it's a winner! We have the best tips on how to select books for your children. Did you know there is a Five Finger Rule when it comes to deciding if a book is too easy, too hard or just right for your child? Plus we get the lowdown on all the best books coming from Penguin Random House from now until December 2025 with Children’s Sales Representative Shinola Govender. Hint: A Taylor Swift toddler book is on the cards, a gripping new book in the Percy Jackson follow up series by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro and a book shelf of new graphic novels and fantasy books for tweens. We cannot wait! Spotify: Follow the Book Tree Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/1O9BkqRJqRBr3QOAXA0ewL?si=2b1080333b9144cc Apple: Follow the Book Tree Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-book-tree-podcast/id1768091211