Curious minds and wild hearts will love exploring southern Africa’s rich
natural world with the My First Book series. Designed for young readers
and pre-readers alike, these beautifully illustrated guides introduce
everything from birds, mammals and reptiles to frogs, insects and ocean
life. With colourful visuals, multilingual descriptions, and fun facts on diet,
size, tracks, habitats and more, each book opens a window into the
creatures kids are most likely to spot in gardens, parks, or at the coast.
Perfect for little nature lovers, these books inspire a lifelong love for the
environment – right from the very first page.
My First Book of Southern African Wildlife
by Erroll Cuthbert
My First Book of Southern African Wildlife introduces the young reader to a selection of southern Africa's most commonly seen and fascinating wildlife species. Divided into three sections, the title covers 58 mammals, 58 birds and 56 reptiles. Striking full-colour illustrations are accompanied by brief descriptions in four languages, and there are visual clues to diet, size and habitat of each creature. This title will appeal to southern Africa's younger readers, and will foster an early interest in the natural world.
My First Book of Southern African Frogs
by Jeanne Tarrant & Sally MacLarty
Frogs are appealing and colourful creatures and live just about anywhere, even in deserts. My first book of Southern African Frogs introduces 55 different types of frog and their calls – made instantly accessible in this new edition by scanning a QR code. A short introduction outlines the main features of frogs and includes an illustration detailing their life cycle. For each species, there is a short description in four languages, describing the frog’s main characteristics; a full-colour illustration of the frog, and visual clues to its size and eggs; a distribution map; and an illustrated habitat bar with an arrow to indicate where each frog is likely to be found. This charming introduction to frogs and their calls will keep children happily absorbed for hours. The parallel translations make this book suitable for mother-tongue learners in four official languages and those children wanting to improve their knowledge of a second or third language.
My First Book of Southern African Caterpillars, Butterflies and Moths
by Steve Woodhall & Jennifer Schaum
The newest title in this highly successful children’s series. Beautifully illustrated, the book introduces 56 species of southern African caterpillars and their adult butterfly or moth. Young children will learn about the fascinating life cycle of these insects and the important role they play in pollination. Each page features a striking outsize illustration of a caterpillar plus the adult insect it will eventually become. Simple text describes each species, and clear visual clues show size, pupa shape, and whether the insect is dangerous. This lively book will appeal to both pre-readers and those beginning to read and is sure to be a welcome addition to a young nature lover’s bookshelf.
My First Book of Southern African Birds
by Erroll Cuthbert & Jennifer Schaum
A very first guide to birds for children aged 3 to 7, this title presents 56 of the most striking and commonly seen southern African species. After a brief introduction that explains how the title works and provides simple guidelines for watching birds, each new page introduces a new bird. Most of the information supplied is visual, in the form of a full colour illustration of the bird and line drawings of food eaten, typical nest and the bird's track. A visual guide to the bird's size is given at the base of the page. The brief text (provided in four languages) highlights interesting or notable facts about the bird.
My First Book of Southern African Birds Vol 2
by Erroll Cuthbert & Jennifer Schaum
Following the success of My first book of Southern African Birds, volume 2 introduces a further 58 fascinating birds found at the seashore, rivers and lakes, in grasslands and forests, and also in suburban gardens. Striking full-colour illustrations are accompanied by brief descriptions in four languages, and there are visual clues to diet, nest, footprint and each bird’s relative size. This book will appeal to southern Africa's younger readers and inspire an interest in birds and the natural world.
My First Book of Southern African Creepy-Crawlies
by Charmaine Uys & Sally MacLarty
My first book of Southern African creepy-crawlies is the newest title in this children's series, and a companion to its sister edition on Southern African Insects. The title covers 58 spiders, snails, millipedes and other creatures (excluding insects) that are likely to be seen around the home and garden. An illustrated introduction gives context to the subject, and then each page features of a vivid, full-colour illustration; clear, informative text and visual clues for both pre- and beginner readers; translation into 3 other languages – Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu; simple graphics conveying the creatures’ size, what it eats and when it is active. This illustrated title will introduce everyday creatures to both pre-readers and those beginning to read in their mother tongue.
My First Book of Southern African Animal Tracks
by Chris and Mathilde Stuart
My first book of Southern African Animal Tracks introduces 55 different types of animals and the footprints they leave behind. The animals and birds included are those that you are likely to find on visits to nature reserves or game parks – or even in gardens. For each species featured, the book gives life-sized track ‘imprints’; a full-colour illustration of the animal and a visual size comparison with a human body, arm or hand; a short description in four languages of each creature and its prints. This introduction to the intriguing world of tracking will keep children happily absorbed for hours at home or on trips to view wildlife. The text in four languages expands the readership and promotes multilingualism.
My First Book of Southern African Insects
by Charmaine Uys & Sally MacLarty
Children are fascinated by ‘bugs’ of all kinds, and insects are a familiar part of their everyday environment. Dragonflies and ants, beetles and stick insects, butterflies and bees are just some of the many insects that are found in the home and garden, providing youngsters with a handy introduction to the natural world. This book presents 58 of the most common, intriguing and beautiful species accurately illustrated in full-colour; concise text and simple graphics conveying the insect’s size, when it is active and what it eats; straightforward text for children beginning to read in their mother tongue; parallel texts in Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu for older learners who wish to improve their knowledge of other languages; and vivid and scientifically accurate illustrations in full colour. Clearly and concisely written for children who are starting to read, but also suitable for adults to read to young children.
My First Book of Southern African Ocean Life
by Roberta Griffiths & Judy Maré
Young children will enjoy discovering the 58 fascinating ocean creatures in My first book of Southern African ocean life, which range in size from the earth's largest animal – the blue whale – to the tiniest plankton.
My First Book of Southern African Snakes & Reptiles
by Bill Branch & Sally MacLarty
Children are both fascinated by, and afraid of, snakes and other reptiles, making them a receptive market for this topic. My first book of Southern African snakes and other reptiles introduces 56 different species, with accurate, full-colour illustrations accompanied by concise text and simple graphics that depict where the reptile lives, what it eats, how it reproduces, and how big it is when fully grown. In addition to snakes, the title also features lizards, geckos, skinks, tortoises and turtles - of all shapes and sizes, some dangerous and to be treated with caution, others harmless, some rare, and all part of the fragile chain of life. The clear text is geared for young readers (aged 3-8); parallel translations make this title suitable for mother-tongue learners in four official languages, as well as for older children and adults wanting to improve their knowledge of a second or third language.
My First Book of Southern African Mammals
by Peter Apps & Jennifer Schaum
Mammals come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, from tiny bats and mice to massive elephants and whales. This title introduces a cross-section of southern African mammals - 58 animals illustrated in full colour, along with easy text and visual clues as to the animals' size, their tracks and what they eat.
My First Book of Southern African Seashore Life
by Roberta Griffiths & Judy Maré
My first book of Southern African Seashore life is the latest title in this successful children's series. The title covers 58 sea creatures and plants that are likely to be seen at the shore. An illustrated introduction gives context to the subject, and then each of the featured specimens gets a vivid, full-colour illustration; simple, informative text; translation into three other languages – Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu; visual clues about the creatures' diet, size, distribution round our coast, locomotion and exactly where they live relative to the water line. This beautiful and inspiring introduction to southern Africa’s shores will appeal to children – and parents – of all ages.
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