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Jonathan Ball Publishers Children’s Books

It’s so difficult nowadays to know which book to buy. With all the great options casually winking at you with their catchy titles and pretty covers it’s a miracle you don’t leave the shops with arms-full of books! Whether you’re looking for a gripping new read for yourself or for someone else, these children’s books from Jonathan Ball Publishers are the ideal reads this winter. Pull up a chair (pour yourself some hot chocolate while you’re at it) and let’s get into the stories.

 

Road to Glory 2: Wayde van Niekerk

by Carlos Amato

Wayde BooksWayde was quick off the mark from the day he was born: two months premature and weighing no more than a litre of milk, his life was in danger. But little Wayde survived and grew to become the world’s leading sprinter.

Wayde van Niekerk tells the extraordinary tale of a boy who defied the odds, time and again. He was small and skinny, but he tackled big rivals on the rugby field. And just when he was about to become a world sprinting star, Wayde suffered a series of terrible hamstring injuries. At one point, he was so depressed he almost gave up athletics for good. But his faith, courage and dedication – along with his magnificent talent – kept him going.

We learn that Wayde was deeply motivated by his mother Odessa’s brilliance as a sprinter before his birth – back in the Apartheid Era when black athletes were unable to shine on the biggest stage. Wayde’s sense of honour also shines through in the story: how he stands up for the weak against bullies and gives generously to those less fortunate than himself.  In the climax of the book, Wayde flies his family to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where his greatest moment awaits him.

If you’re looking for a kid-friendly book that covers South African sporting legends as they set out on their journeys to becoming national and international stars, we suggest this series. Get closer to the action and have a look at the other titles available in the series: Road to Glory 2: AB de Villiers and Road to Glory 2: Siya Kolisi. Written specifically for youngsters aged 10-14.

 

The New Football Coach

by Dominique Demers

New Football Coach BooksMiss Charlotte – the new coach of a children’s football team – has some odd methods to prepare them for the big match, including talking to the ball and drinking a special potion, smalalamiam. Also, she teaches them how to lose! And to have fun. Incredibly, it seems to work – but will their hopes of victory be dashed when their star player decides to join the other team? The latest instalment in Dominique Demers’s popular Adventures of Miss Charlotte series, The New Football Coach, brilliantly illustrated by Tony Ross, is a marvellous tale about believing in yourself and beating the odds.

The New Football Coach is perfect for kids who need to get a little bit more confident with their reading. It has constant action, adventure and excitement – the perfect combination to help keep you (or your child) glued to the page, chapter after chapter.

 

 

Starfish

by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Starfish BooksA gorgeous and emotionally resonant debut novel about a half-Japanese teen who grapples with social anxiety and her narcissist mother in the wake of a crushing rejection from art school.

Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking. Her Asian features and roots have made her feel like an outsider in her community, and her low self-esteem stems from the cruelty she endures from her distant and emotionally abusive mother. Graduating from high school and attending Prism Art School in New York City is the only thing keeping half-Japanese, half-white Kiko Himura going. But then Kiko doesn’t get into Prism, at the same time her abusive uncle moves back in with her family. So, when she receives an invitation from her childhood friend to leave her small town and tour art schools on the west coast, Kiko jumps at the opportunity in spite of the anxieties and fears that attempt to hold her back. From debut author Akemi Dawn Bowman comes a luminous, heart-breaking story of identity, family, and the beauty that emerges when we embrace our true selves.

The novel speaks to many mixed-race teens dealing with real-world challenges. The author elegantly channels Kiko’s anxieties, and each chapter ends with a description of her drawings that reflects her growth, setbacks, or newfound understanding – truly a remarkable tale.

Stay on top of the latest book releases and visit your nearest PNA to pick up these and other favourite children’s books.

Did any of these books stand out? Leave us a comment below if you’re planning to pick any of these books up.

 

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