In September this year I took part in a book making event called Book Dash in Johannesburg. At the event, teams of creative volunteers got together to produce an African children’s book in one day! The book I helped produce is PLAY WITH ME.

Book Dash’s vision is that every child should own a hundred books by the age of five. While this is an ambitious goal, it is made possible by partnering with creative professionals who volunteer to create new, African storybooks that anyone can freely translate, print and distribute. The books are then made available to preschool children and their families to own through working with partners.

“Books catalyse and build the responsive, playful relationships that are essential for a child’s optimal development. Caregiver-child interaction boosts the emergent socio-emotional and oral language skills that form the foundation for learning to read in later years. And yet, most children grow up without books at home,” according to Book Dash.

I decided to write a story that would be freely available to children so that they could see themselves reflected in it. I believe in the power of books and remembered the joyful experience of owning my first book. I wanted African children under the age of five to have this same experience.

I won’t forget the excitement and buzz of being part of Team Eight which created PLAY WITH ME. The story is about a little boy who wants to play but can’t find anyone to play with. It was no mean feat producing a book with a ticking clock challenging us on whether we could do it. And yet, we managed to successfully collaborate and have a good time doing it. I am grateful to have worked with Jamie Calf (Designer), Heleen Steyn van der Merwe (Illustrator) and David Mann (Editor) to produce a book that will bless African children. Thank you Team eight!