SCBWI SA turns 10

Join in the celebrations from 1 -5 November 2013. These will be held in the Cape Town area. For more information, visit: http://scbwi-sa-10-years.blogspot.com/

Announcement and call for papers

4^th Unisa Children’s Reading Conference: 11-12 September 2012

Venue: Sunnyside Campus of the University of South Africa, Pretoria

Theme: Social media and children

“One in six children is failing to read books as they spend an increasing amount of time text messaging friends, sending e-mails and browsing social networking sites”.

Social media has become exceedingly popular in recent years, which is a cause of concern among many parents, librarians, teachers and other adults. Sceptics refer to disadvantages of social media such as the effects on children’s ability to concentrate; their ability to communicate; the lowering of literacy rates, etc. In the mean time, children happily find themselves sharing, using and understanding information in ways that were unimaginable a generation ago.

The changes brought about by technology, and social media in particular, in the lives of children should not be denied but embraced.  Social media, as technology, should not be seen as a threat to reading and to books in particular, but.as a challenge and tool to introduce children to books and information via mediums other than traditional print.

Purpose of the conference

5th Conference on South African Children's and Youth Literature - 18-20 September 2012

18-20 September 2012

North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom, South Africa

Invitation to attend conference and call for papers

Conference theme: Spaces, routes and (re-)discoveries in children's and youth literature

Papers on South African as well as international children's and youth literature are welcome, and should preferably link up with one or more of the following topics:

Second South African Writers' Symposium - Call for Papers

“Striving for Excellence in South African Literature" - 8-10 March 2012

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 31 JANUARY 2012

INTRODUCTION

The Centre for the Book is hosting the second South African Writers' Symposium from 8 – 10 March 2012 in Cape Town.

Members of the public, publishers,

IBBY Africa Conference

A group of SCBWI members attended the IBBY Conference from 31st August to 2nd September. Two members gave presentations. Hazel Cuthbertson's talk was entitled: Are we there yet? – The importance of sketchbooks in the journey from idea to final publication for some South African children’s book illustrators. Hazel used the work of Rico Schacherl, Joan Rankin and Themba Mabaso to illustrate her talk.
Lynn Joffe's workshop was entitled: The Value of Music and the Heard Word in Modern Children’s Stories. Her presentation included the very first recording of the human voice, which was Thomas Edison's recitation of 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' in 1877!

Both presentations were excellent!

In addition, SCBWI put up an exhibition of sketchbooks created during the Sketchbook Project. The sketchbooks were hung from a wooden tree and showed the talent of Joan Rankin, Rico Schacherl, Julia du Plessis, Hazel Cuthbertson, Marleen Visser, Anna Wilson, Yvette de Beer, Monique Voster, Je'Anna Clements, Lynn Joffe and Sarah van der Molen. Hopefully this project has encouraged more of us to keep sketchbooks on a regular basis, as they can be such a valuable part of the illustration process. A big 'Thank you' to everyone who participated, it was great to meet you all and see your fantastic sketchbooks.

Reading Promotion and Storytelling Festival for Children

The Second UNISA conference on Reading Promotion and Storytelling will take place from 6-8 October 2010. For more information, see
http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=24238

LIASA 12th Annual Conference

LIASA 12th Annual Conference Theme:Libraries driving access to knowledge Date: 27 September – 1 October 2010 Venue: St George Hotel, Centurion, Gauteng Contact: conference2010@liasa.org.za Registration is now open. Take advantage of the early bird special.

2nd Announcement and call for papers

2nd UNISA Storytelling Festival and Conference on Reading Promotion and Storytelling for Children 6-8 October 2010 We welcome: 1) Abstracts (of not more than 250 words) that address particular issues regarding reading promotion for children and storytelling to children. Theoretical papers as well as more practical presentations about

UNISA Storytelling Festival and Conference on Reading Promotion and Storytelling for Children

Announcement and call for papers 2nd UNISA Storytelling Festival and Conference on Reading Promotion and Storytelling for Children 6-9 October 2010

Reading Promotion and Storytelling for Children

Please support this exciting conference on: Reading Promotion and Storytelling for Children

SCBWI Bologna Conference and Showcase at the Bologna Book Fair

SCBWI International will host a Conference and put up an SCBWI Booth at the Fair. Bologna 2010 will feature a one-day conference and 3.5 days of the SCBWI Bologna Showcase at the Bologna Book Fair. Both events will give you an opportunity to mingle with editors, art directors, publishers and authors and illustrators in a close, intimate setting for the conference, and then branch out and see what's being published around the world during the Bologna Children's Book Fair -- it's a great experience. The conference is March 21st, and the Fair is March 22-25th.

Worlds in Dialogue 8-11 July 2009

Second call for papers: Worlds in Dialogue

Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Retreat

For the full programme and costs of the Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Retreat at Goudini Spa from May 5-9 2008, see http://sa-writers-illustrators.blogspot.com or click on the Title above. This is a wonderful opportunity, NOT TO BE MISSED!

Update: 3rd Conference on South African Children's Literature

UPDATE: 3rd Conference on South African Children's Literature - 17 - 20 September 2007, North West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom, South Africa Conference theme: Writing (on) South African Children’s Literature The full conference programme is now available and included below. REGISTRATION: The details for registration can be found on the conference website at the following addresses: * General information: http://www.puk.ac.za/fakulteite/lettere/klw/kinderlitkonf07/registrasie_e.html * Registration form: http://www.puk.ac.za/opencms/export/PUK/html/fakulteite/lettere/klw/kinderlitkonf07/registrationformEng.doc * Enquiries about registration: Teresa Smit - Teresa.Smit@nwu.ac.za PROGRAMME: Monday 17 September All papers and workshops in languages other than English will be interpreted into English 10:00 - A - Opening and welcome 10:15 - 11:00 A -Keynote: Maria Nikolajeva - Stereotypes of Dystopia: The Denials of Kow-Ten (Jenny Robson) in an International Context 11:00 - Tea 11:30 - 13:00 A - Workshop: - Skryf ‘n storie [Write a story] - Hans du Plessis and Franci Greyling 13:00 - Lunch 14:00 A - Ian Marley - Confessions of a want to be children’s book illustrator B - Mickias Musiyiwa - Children’s Literature as Resistance to and Engagement with Globalization 14:35 A - Franci Greyling - Die avontuur van skryf en boekmaak [The adventure of writing and bookmaking] B - Ingrid Wagener - Jenny Robson’s portrayal of a South African society in transition 15:10 A - Keynote: Elwyn Jenkins - Sources for research in South African English children’s literature 16:00 - Tea 17:00 CACHET THEATRE As die skoen jou pas - ’n toneelstuk geskryf deur Anneretha Combrink en opgevoer onder spelleiding van Jana van Staden en Elonie de Klerk (Karos & Kambro Jeugontwikkelingsprojek Promosa) [If the shoe fits - a play written by Anneretha Combrink and produced by Jana van Staden and Elonie de Klerk (Karos & Kambro Youth Development Programme Promosa)] 19:00 - Supper Tuesday 18 September 08:30 - A - Announcements 08:40 A - Lissa Paul - Women of influence 09:30 A - John Mckenzie and Cecilia du Toit - Paper 1 “Naked in the open air...the waves... invited her": Eco-criticism and the picture book B - Anneretha Combrink, Madeleen Combrink en Jana van Staden - As die skoen jou pas: Die oordra van lewensvaardighede aan adolessente deur middel van gemeenskapsteater [If the shoe fits: Conveying life skills to adolescents through community theatre] 10:05 A - John Mckenzie and Cecilia du Toit - Paper 2 - Essentialising South Africa: National identity and the perspective of the Other B - Audrey Hitchcock - I.Q. vs. E.Q. - The importance of developing Emotional Quotient through the use of books 10:40 - Tea 11:00 A - Susan Meyer - Die natuur as didaktiese avontuurruimte in Afrikaanse jeugromans [Nature as didactic space of adventure in Afrikaans youth novels] B - Elaine Ridge - Translating children’s literature: Opportunities and challenges 11:35 A - Molly Brown - Between a rock and a hard place: hidden stories and The Hidden Star B - Idette Noomé - “Kobie rules!”: The dynamics of the schoolgirl ethic in Stella Blakemore’s Maasdorp series 12:10 A - Jeremy Fogg and Basil Mills - Telling Our Story On NELM's Outreach Camps B - Elma de Kock - Karnaval van die kunste: 'n multi-dissiplinêre benadering tot die aanbieding van kinderliteratuur [Carnival of the arts: a multi-disciplinary approach towards the mediation of children’s literature] 12:45 - Lunch 14:00 A - Margaret Labuschagne - A number paints a thousand words? A quantitative approach to a publishing history of South African children’s literature in English B - Crystal Warren - Reading AIDS : HIV / AIDS in South African children's books 14:35 A - Maritha Snyman - Wie is hulle regtig? Die winste van ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering by die bepaling van die leesbehoeftes en -voorkeure van kinders [Who are they really? The dividends of a qualitative research approach in determining the reading needs and preferences of children] B - Claudia Mitchell and Jean Stuart - Digital Hope: Digital Storytelling in the Age of AIDS 15:10 - Tea 15:45 - 17:15 A - Workshop: Elwyn Jenkins - Developing, writing and publishing academic articles on children’s literature 19:00 - Supper Book Launch: Formule Drie, Twee, Een! / Formula Three, Two, One! - Franci Greyling (author) and Vian Oelofsen (illustrator) Wednesday 19 September 08:30 - A - Announcements 08:40 A - Keynote: Olga Sema -South African children’s literature and the advancement of multilingualism 09:30 A - Workshop: Cecilia du Toit - The English classroom and South African children’s literature 09:30 B - Betsie van der Westhuizen - “Aag, Mia ... Jy vertel so baie stories dat niemand jou meer glo nie”: van sien tot lewensiening met Mia se Ma (Marita van der Vyver en Piet Grobler) [“Mia... You make up too many stories. No one believes you any more”: from seeing to view of life with Mia’s Mom (Marita van der Vyver and Piet Grobler)] 10:00 B - Mariska Scheepers - Skryf as vorm van narratiewe terapie in die briefroman Van jou jas (Marita van der Vyver) [Writing as form of narrative therapy in the youth novel Van jou Jas [From your Jas] (Marita van der Vyver)] 10:30 B - Retha Fritz - Die teksinterne literêre korrektief in drie Afrikaanse jeugverhale [The textual literary corrective in three Afrikaans youth novels] 11:00 - Tea 11:30 A - Workshop: Dolly Dlavane and Rakgomo Pheto -- Ditlhangwa tsa bana mo phaposiborutelong [African languages and children’s literature in the classroom] 11:30 B - Kristel Roets - 'n Vergelyking tussen Roepman (2004), deur Jan van Tonder en Winterijs (2001), deur Peter van Gestel [A Comparison between Roepman (2004), by Jan van Tonder and Winterijs (2001), by Peter van Gestel] 12:05 - 12:40 B - Elbie Adendorff - Tendense in die resepsiedokumente oor Daar's vis in die punch - Jackie Nagtegaal [Trends in reader response documents about Daar's vis in die punch - Jackie Nagtegaal] 13:00 - Lunch 14:00 A - Workshop: Estelle Kruger - Die gebruik van tradisionele literatuur om kreatiewe skryf in Afrikaans te fasiliteer [Using traditional literature to facilitate creative writing in Afrikaans] 14:00 B - Renè Schoombee - School Libraries Work! - the role of school libraries in promoting children’s literature and information literacy 14:35-15:10 B - Dudu Jankie - Adolescent literature and the promotion of the principle of Botho / Ubuntu in secondary schools 15:30 - Tea 16:00 A - Betsie van der Westhuizen, Teresa Smit en Elsabé de Klerk - Visuele wêrelde en betekenisontdekking: Die film in die Suid-Afrikaanse skoolkurrikulum [Making meaning of visual worlds: The film in the South African school curriculum] 16:00 B - Diana Garver - Using Children's Literature to Enhance Comprehension 16:35-17:10 B - Sandra Crosser - Using Literature to Teach Emergent Readers 19:00 - CONFERENCE DINNER Thursday 20 September 08:30 - Announcements 08:40 A - Keynote: Osa Osayimwense - The expanding universe of African children’s literature: the why, the how and the what of publishing in Africa about African children’s literature 09:30 A - Snoeks Desmond - From the Berg to the Karoo - families are reading! B - Christine du Toit - 'n Integrasie van taal, letterkunde en kultuur binne Kurrikulum 2005 vir Afrikaans addisionele taal [The integration of language, literature and culture in Curriculum 2005 for Afrikaans as additional language] 10:05 A - Carol Bloch and Xolisa Guzula - Stories Across Africa: work in progress B - Leone Tiemensma - Am I a Zulu? The value and role of multicultural children’s literature in building bridges of cultural understanding 10:40 - Tea 11:00 A - Workshop: Maria Nikolajeva - Mission Impossible? Writing a Scholarly Book on Children’s Literature 12:30 A - Conclusions: Possibilities of research and work ahead; possibilities for collaboration 13:00 - Lunch WEBSITE: Read more: * 3rd Conference on South African Children's Literature: http://www.puk.ac.za/fakulteite/lettere/klw/kinderlitkonf07/kinderlitkonf07_e.html Bala go le gontsi: * Khonferense ya boraro ya ditlhangwa tsa bana ba Aforika Borwa: http://www.puk.ac.za/opencms/export/PUK/html/fakulteite/lettere/klw/kinderlitkonf07/oproepreferate_t.html Verdere inligting: * 3de Konferensie oor Suid Afrikaanse Kinder en Jeugliteratuur: http://www.puk.ac.za/fakulteite/lettere/klw/kinderlitkonf07/kinderlitkonf07.html ENQUIRIES: Enquiries about any aspect of the conference programme can be addressed to: Betsie van der Westhuizen Subject Group Afrikaans and Dutch School of Languages Faculty of Arts North West University Potchefstroom Campus Private Bag 6001 Potchefstroom 2520 South Africa Tel.: +27 18 2991491 (international) or 018 2991491 (South Africa) Fax: +27 18 2991562 (international) or: 018 2991562 (South Africa) E mail: Betsie.VanDerWesthuizen@nwu.ac.za OR: Franci Greyling Subject Group Creative Writing School of Languages Faculty of Arts North West University Potchefstroom Campus Private Bag X6001 Potchefstroom 2520 South Africa Tel.: +27 18 2991781 (international) or 018 2991781 (South Africa) Fax: +27 18 2991562 (international) or 018 2991562 (South Africa) E mail: Franci.Greyling@nwu.ac.za OR: Dolly Dlavane School of Teacher Education (Human oriented School Subjects) African Languages Faculty of Education Sciences North West University Potchefstroom Campus Private Bag X6001 Potchefstroom 2520 South Africa Tel.: +27 18 2991817 (international) or 018 2991817 (South Africa) Fax: +27 18 2994238 (international) or 018 2994238 (South Africa) E mail: Dolly.Dlavane@nwu.ac.za

Franschoek Literary Festival

The first Franschhoek Literary Festival in early May drew an estimated 2 000 readers. Readers, writers, media and book clubs strolled through the village interacting with 30 authors, poets and publishers in lively informal discussions, signings, fundraisers, talks, breakfasts, dinners and over drinks. The dates for next year are 16 - 18 May 2008 and the very generous sponsorship of the Delta Trust has been renewed. With Christopher Hope again as Festival Director, they aim to attract a mix of recently published South African writers and a handful of African and international writers. The drive for a new community library will continue to be the main focus, and the FLF committee was pleased to announce that their first festival raised a grand total of R104 007 towards the library fund. Wordsworth Books, whose bookshop in the Town Hall buzzed all weekend with sales and signings, generously donated 10% of their takings to the fund. Other exciting news was that the Exclusive Books Reading Trust donated a fully fitted and stocked container children’s library to the valley. The much-appreciated writer outreach to local schools and the Groot Drakenstein correctional facility will continue next year. New York writer Siri Hustvedt was so inspired by her prison visit that she donated a pile of books to the offenders’ library, and is helping to fund the writing workshops being run there by another FLF 2007 writers, crime queen Margie Orford. To further involve the community and young readers, the FLF 2008 committee will plan children’s events, low-priced tickets for students, and donations of complimentary seats. The Poetry Competition, which attracted over 200 entries this year and resulted in a booklet of winning entries, will be another highlight. Enjoyable fringe events like the classical music concerts, Off-the-Wall poetry, Mike van Graan’s one-person satire and the writers at chefs’ tables will be woven into the programme again. For more information, see www.flf.co.za

ISASA School Librarians' Conference: 8-11 April, 2008

This will be held at Hilton College (near Pietermaritzburg), Kwazulu Natal, South Africa from 8th - 11th April 2008. The official website will be launched on 20th August at the following address: www.isasamediameander.co.za. All details and online registration will be available from the site. Librarians of the 21st century face many challenges as they encounter an ever changing world. Technological changes are taking place daily and librarians are burdened with an information overload. Changes in the South African education system are placing greater demands on teachers and learners. Everything seems so rushed, and reading often takes a back seat. Yet, never has the ability to read for relaxation, or for information and comprehension, been so important. The Conference theme "Media Meander: Crafting Readers and Learners", is designed to offer an opportunity to reflect on current practice; share ideas on developing an ethos of reading amongst young people, and keeping ourselves up to date on technological progress. Our speakers include three Australian teacher librarians who are leaders in their field, as well as national and local authors, illustrators, teachers and digital fundis, amongst others. The Conference includes an optional tour to the Midlands Meander where local crafts, beautiful scenery and tasty food and wine can be enjoyed.

3rd Conference on South African Children's Literature

Invitation to attend and participate in the 3rd Conference on South African Children's Literature 17-20 September, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus As was the case with the preceding conferences, this conference is for all who are currently involved or who wish to become involved in the production (e.g. oral storytellers, writers, illustrators, translators, publishers), marketing and distribution (e.g. publishers, agents, book suppliers), mediation (e.g. educators/facilitators, parents, librarians, and the media - newspapers, radios, television) and reception of children’s literature (by toddlers, children and teenagers as listeners to, or readers of children’s stories, poetry, stage productions and films). A special feature of the conference is the addition of a number of writing/authoring/hands-on sessions with the theme “Writing (on) South African Children’s Literature” - practical sessions on the writing of scholarly articles, as well as sessions on writing children’s stories and poems. These sessions will be presented by renowned writers in the field of children’s literature: Prof Maria Nikolajeva (Stockholm, Sweden), author of several academic articles and books as well as fiction, Prof Elwyn Jenkins, author of several articles and books on children’s literature, Prof Osa Osayimwense, editor of the journal African Children’s and Youth Literature (JACYL), and Prof Hans du Plessis, Director of the ATKV School for Creative Writing in Potchefstroom. READ MORE: http://www.puk.ac.za/fakulteite/lettere/klw/index.html Enquiries to: Betsie van der Westhuizen Phone: 018 2991491 E-mail: Betsie.VanDerWesthuizen@nwu.ac.za