Welcome to our podcast
The Book Tree Podcast is a platform for the wonderful world of children’s books. We interview authors, illustrators, publishers, literacy experts, librarians and all sorts of lovely bookish people. We do book reviews for children, young adults, and parents. Please follow us and share the link so we can build our listenership.
Available on Spotify and Apple iTunes.
Episode 15: Leo Daly’s new picture book about love, loss, grieving and new beginnings
Episode 15: Leo Daly discusses his picture book The Giant and the Olive, and we review Jaco Jacobs new books celebrating 250 books published!
Episode 14: A Book About Grief and Loss
Children’s books about grief can be a gentle support when it’s hard to find the right words, giving children a way to understand and express big emotions like sadness, anger, fear, and loss. We talk to author Lalu Mokuku about her new book Butterfly Heart.
Episode 13 – How To Get Published
Do you have a children's book you dream of getting published?
We discuss the publishing scene in South Africa with Brad and Alison Harris of award-winning Imagnary House Publishers, one of South Africa's most successful independent publishers.
Episode 12 – 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.' Lindi Bell, Reggio educator and founder of Small World School in Johannesburg, shares her insights into creativity and imagination.
Episode 11 – Refiloe Moahloli on how to become a children’s book author
We chat to bestselling author Refiloe Moahloli about her journey. From an early career in the corporate world, and a life changing trip to Mumbai, she took a chance and dedicated herself to her dream of writing children's book - 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.
Episode 10 – How To Buy Books For Your Kids
Looking for new 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 share top tips on how to select books for your...
Episode 9 – The Olympics of Reading with Reading Quizzes
The Olympics of Reading: We talk to Literacy activist Marjorie Brown about the Kids’ Lit Quiz and Phendulani Quiz which celebrate children with a love for reading.
Episode 8 – Bibliotherapy – How Books Can Heal
There's a book for that! Bibliotherapy is the healing art of reading and it's helping children and adults to process life events and find healing between the pages of a book. We speak to bibliotherapist, Bijal Shah about her latest book and how bibliotherapy works.
Episode 7 – Why we need this children’s book about Apartheid
The Book Tree Podcast - Episode 7 looks at why Together Apart: The Story of Living in Apartheid by author and literacy scholar Xolisa Guzula is more important than ever. Plus reviews of the three proudly South African books for little ones.
Episode 6 – How to Become a Children’s Book Illustrator
Award-winning author and illustrator Emily House shares her journey and tips on how to find your illustration style, create a portfolio and pitch your work. Plus our best book reviews.
Episode 5 – Entering the Young Writers’ Competition
We chat to children's book author and previous judge Nicole Rimensberger for tips on entering the Young Writers' Competition. Plus our best book reviews and why we still LOVE fairy tales – and you should too.
Episode 4 – Best Holiday Reads
Discover the best children’s holiday books from Verushka Louw, Children's Sales Rep at Jonathan Ball Publishers and learn all about the cosy 'Jolabokflod’ reading trend this festive season.
“Great podcast. Engaging all the way and full of insight, humour and a love of books. You were born to do it!”
“Congrats on the podcast – I loved listening and you got the Lottie Brooks books spot on – both my girls absolutely loved them!”
“I must just say that I really love your podcast – it’s such an important contribution to shining a spotlight on child lit topics in SA. And I really find the book reviews awesome too! Thanks for creating it.”
Podcasts we're loving:
Join African storytelling legend Gcina Mhlophe on her multi-award-winning African Story Magic where she shares old tales and new – keeping the magic of African storytelling alive for new generations.
Love facts? Listen to Brains On! Universe Your children – and you – will love this collection of smart, funny shows for curious kids and their families.
Lynn Joffe’s lovely Solid Gold Story Time Podcast is a treat. Expect story songs, African tales, nursery rhymes with a new age twist, lullabies and musical exercises for early childhood development.
“Literacy is, quite simply, the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman, and child can realize his or her full potential.” – Kofi Annan
Get in touch
We’d love to hear from you!
