top of page


Why Kids Need to See Flawed Characters in Books
Why are tweens so drawn to characters who aren’t perfect? Just look at books like Dork Diaries, Lottie Brooks, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Trixie and Thabo, the Space Dude – they're full of them! Clearly, kids love a little mischief. So let’s explore why flawed characters matter.

Lori-Ann Preston
Feb 62 min read


Top South African Children's Books 2025
It’s absolutely wonderful to see the rich diversity of children's books being written by South Africans in 2025. Here are a few that I loved reading.

Lori-Ann Preston
Dec 18, 20254 min read


How to Get Kids to Fall in Love with Writing
For many children, writing can be really daunting, and sometimes even boring. But it doesn't have to feel like a chore. With the right approach, you can spark creativity and show your child how to fall in love with writing.

Lori-Ann Preston
Sep 30, 20253 min read


Preserving Our Heritage Through South African Children's Books
Is it really such a big deal if our kids only read international books instead of South African children's books? Let's explore the importance of reading South African stories that empower our kids to dream big, celebrate diversity and develop a stong sense of identity.

Lori-Ann Preston
Sep 2, 20252 min read


Creative Book Activities for the Classroom
Teaching books to students is about so much more than reading words on the page – it’s about immersing them in the world of the story. Here are some ideas for reading lessons that will spark curiosity, creativity, and bring stories to life.

Jessica Pybus
Aug 6, 20252 min read


How to Self-Publish in South Africa
When it comes to self-publishing your book, you may not know where exactly to get started - here are 8 simple steps on how to self-publish in South Africa.

Lori-Ann Preston
Jun 27, 20253 min read


Behind the Scenes of a Children’s Book Tour
Visiting schools - and sharing a love of books with kids - is one of the best parts about being a children's author. Here are a few glimpses of what happens behind the scenes of a children's book tour.

Lori-Ann Preston
May 27, 20253 min read


How to Get Kids to Read in the Digital Age
For many kids, a screen means instant entertainment with videos and games. So how do you get kids to read in the digital age? How do you motivate your child to pick up an actual book? Is print better than digital? Let’s explore…

Lori-Ann Preston
Apr 23, 20253 min read


5 Tips to Read with your Kid Every Day
Reading with your kid doesn't have to be a big time investment. By following these 5 tips you will be able to read together every day.

Jessica Pybus
Mar 26, 20252 min read


How I Wrote a Kids' Recipe Book
“What inspires your writing?”
The inspiration for my kids' recipe book came from my mom’s recipe box. Read about the idea in this blog.

Lori-Ann Preston
Mar 3, 20252 min read


How to Make Reading FUN for Kids
Getting kids to guzzle up words may be easier than you think. The trick isn’t too tricky at all. Here are some tips to make reading fun!

Lori-Ann Preston
Jan 21, 20252 min read


Top South African Children's Books 2024
There were so many fantastic children's books published in South Africa in 2024. These were the ones that made it onto my must-read list.

Lori-Ann Preston
Dec 19, 20244 min read
bottom of page