Neo’s Invisible Blanket

By Salamina Mosese and illustrated by Subi Bosa (Pan Macmillan Children’s Books)

Age 3-8

Actress and producer Salamina Mosese tells a sweet story about a little boy who has to learn to find his inner bravery when he feels scared to do new things.

The story follows Neo, a young boy who loves adventures, except when he gets a little scared. Luckily for Neo, his sister, Thandi, is strong and brave and she has a clever plan to make Neo feel safe. She gives him a special blanket – an invisible blanket. And it works! He’s not even afraid of the tallest tree in the garden anymore. But will the invisible blanket help when Neo has to go to a new school … and participate in the swimming gala?

“Watching my nephew and daughters face their own little fears inspired me to write this story,” says Mosese. “Through Neo’s story, I wanted to show children everywhere that it’s okay to feel scared, but it’s even more important to believe in your own bravery, just like in Neo’s Invisible Blanket.”

Believe in yourself

I have a special spot for stories about bravery because when my daughter was in primary school, she would sometimes be filled with fears about going to school, going on camp, going for sleepovers – any situation where she felt out of her depth. I would tell her I was with her in her heart and sometimes she would take a top of mine on a sleepover, or a picture of our family on camp. I would have read her this book and used the imagery of an invisible blanket to wrap her up in and make her feel supported and brave.

I also love that when Neo doesn’t have his blanket in the swimming pool, he has to reach deep inside himself to find his own courage. It’s an empowering book and a fun story many children will relate to.

Illustrated by Subi Bosa, the book celebrates courage, sibling love, and the power of believing in yourself.

Also available in isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sepedi and Afrikaans. Buy it here. 

 Meet the author

With over 25 years in South African entertainment, Salamina Mosese is a household name from Soul Buddyz, 7de Laan, Top Billing, and Netflix’s The Ultimatum South Africa. Beyond the screen, she has made her mark as managing director of Sorele Media, producing hits like Baby Mamas.

As an author she has had critical acclaim with Disaster at Gogo’s Spaza and Cook-Off at Gogo’s Spaza, which is shortlisted for the 2025 Children’s Book Prize at the South African Book Awards. And she’s lucky to have her musician husband Tshepo Howza Mosese, create a song especially for her book!

Follow her work here.