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Books published by publisher Penguin Random House South Africa

  • NORTHERN LIGHTS - THE GRAPHIC NOV

    Random House

    Hardcover (PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE, March 15, 2017)
    The incredible story of Lyra Belacqua will begin, and continue, in The Book of Dust. Now you have the opportunity to revisit her adventures in The Northern Lights, with this graphic novel adaptation of a masterpiece, which comes to life with incredible full-colour art. Follow Lyra's story once again, in a way you've never experienced before, as the arrival of her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, draws her to the heart of a terrible struggle - a struggle born of Gobblers and stolen children, witch clans and armored bears. Lyra hurtles toward danger in the cold far North, never suspecting the shocking truth, that she alone is destined to win, or to lose, this more-than-mortal battle. This is the full story, now in hardback, available for the very first time.
  • East African Cookbook

    Shereen Jog

    Paperback (Penguin Random House South Africa, April 19, 2020)
    Fifth-generation Tanzanian Shereen Jog shares her recipes for delicious soups, salads, main meals and desserts in this East African–inspired cookbook. Bursting with the spices and flavours of East Africa and India, from where a large portion of the population originated, these recipes will inspire everyone to cook mouth-watering meals for their family and friends. The traditional East African favourites in this book have evolved over the years to account for the growth of the region and the various additional cultures that have been imbibed. East Africa has one of the world’s fastest-growing populations, and the new younger generation is worldly wise and thoroughly modern. Their exposure to global trends means that a new wave of locally enjoyed cuisine is gaining in popularity across the region. The recipe selection in this book is therefore as modern as it is traditional, as healthy as it is wholesome, as organic as it is contemporary – and is influenced by the different cultures found in Tanzania as well as by Shereen’s travels around the world.
  • Guineafowl's Spots and other African Bird Tales

    Dianne Stewart, Richard Macintosh

    Paperback (Penguin Random House South Africa, June 15, 2018)
    The rich folklore culture of Africa has been passed down by word of mouth through countless generations. Dianne Stewart has a passion for collecting and retelling these stories, making them accessible to a whole new audience. In The Guineafowl’s Spots and Other African Bird Tales she has created a unique collection of African folktales, exclusively about birds. Drawn from across the continent, these tales often draw on human characteristics and are followed by African proverbs that illustrate various moral lessons.This fascinating collection includes classic tales such as ‘Why Flamingo Stands on One Leg’ from Nigeria, ‘The Laughing Dove’ from North Africa, and the Xhosa tale ‘The Bird That Could Make Milk’.Beautiful illustrations by Richard Mackintosh bring to life the magic of the stories and the beauty of birds themselves. Many of the tales include additional facts on the featured birds.
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  • African Wildlife Trivia

    Dawid van Lill

    Paperback (Penguin Random House South Africa, Sept. 1, 2008)
    Africa is famous for its abundance and variety of wildlife, making it a great attraction for hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. In many ways it is a continent of records. Dawid van Lill has produced a book of amazing records, facts and did-you-knows that cast new light on our extraordinary continent. From lists of ‘largests’ and ‘smallests’ to detailed accounts of exceptional features, we are introduced to a vast range of facts about the world around us. A fresh design and light-hearted illustrations make the book highly accessible to both young and old.
  • Dr. Seuss The Cat in the Hat

    Seuss

    Hardcover (PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE, March 15, 1985)
    Poor Dick and Sally. It's cold and wet and they're stuck in the house with nothing to do . . . until a giant cat in a hat shows up, transforming the dull day into a madcap adventure and almost wrecking the place in the process! Written by Dr. Seuss in 1957 in response to the concern that "pallid primers [with] abnormally courteous, unnaturally clean boys and girls' were leading to growing illiteracy among children, The Cat in the Hat (the first Random House Beginner Book) changed the way our children learn how to read.
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  • All About South Africa: Our country, its people, history, cultures, economy and wildlife

    Cecilia Barfield, Gill Gordon

    Paperback (Penguin Random House South Africa, March 19, 2016)
    Since 1992, All About South Africa has been the comprehensive reference book of choice for South African schoolchildren (and their parents!) when looking for information about the country. Now completely revised and updated – both in content and visual material – this new edition is sure to retain its status. A large-format book of knowledge, it is highly visual, with full-color photographs, maps and illustrations, and includes fascinating archival material. The simple and thematically presented text is both easy to read and to understand. Added interest is encouraged by snippets of information contained in special boxes and extended captions. Also included are suggested places to visit – all associated with the topic discussed on the particular double-page spread. To aid research, the text is divided into definite sections such as Long, Long Ago; The People; The Culture; The Community; Science and Technology; The Economy; The Land; and The Wildlife, which cover every aspect of South Africa.
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  • Get Bushwise: On Safari Desert, River, Bushveld: A Young Explorer's Guide

    Nadine Clarke

    Paperback (Penguin Random House South Africa, March 1, 2013)
    A local guide leads adventurers on safaris into three surprisingly varied worlds: the bushveld, a river and a desert. Each environment brings its unique flavor to the adventure; multiple images (both photos and illustrations) and interesting text introduce the region's fascinating wildlife with its intriguing habits and lifestyles. Readers are encouraged to play along by means of engaging activities, games and quizzes, with answers at the end of each section. Nature's edible treats and useful props are introduced, along with survival techniques for the young explorer. This volume illuminates three important southern African natural arenas, and will engage readers from cover to cover. The perfect book to plan your own adventure!
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  • How Cheetah Got His Tears

    Avril Van der Merwe, Heidi-Kate Greeff

    Paperback (Penguin Random House South Africa, Nov. 28, 2017)
    Cheetah boasts that, because he can run faster than any other animal, he is the real king of the beasts. Wining a race against the other animals only reinforces his posturing. He boasts that he can even run faster than the wind. The wind takes up the challenge, leading to an outcome that keeps cheetah’s tears running down his cheeks as a permanent reminder of his place in the natural world. How Cheetah Got His Tears is a story that warns of the perils of boasting, yet shows that the capacity to accept defeat with grace and humility can lead to reconciliation and acceptance.
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  • A Taste of Israel: From classic Litvak to modern Israeli

    Nida Degutiene

    Hardcover (Penguin Random House South Africa, March 19, 2016)
    In author Nida Degutienė’s own words: ‘In Israel food holds a special place in Jewish life. From early morning until dawn the next day, Israelis are always nibbling on something and enjoying one another’s company, and on any given holiday festive tables groan under the weight of a multitude of dishes and goodies. This book is an open door into the kitchens of the ordinary Israeli home. It is also an invitation to explore the country’s diverse street food and offers a behind-the-scene glimpse at some of its gourmet restaurants. You’ll find recipes for dishes that do much more than satisfy hunger. They are memories and stories shared with me over the course of five years by Litvaks from Israel and South Africa, by my Israeli friends, by their mothers and their grandmothers. They reflect the traditions, history and customs passed down the generations. They are an attempt at returning a piece of Jewish heritage to the small but vibrant Jewish community in Lithuania.’Available for the first time in English, A Taste of Israel describes the food through the eyes of a foreigner and non-Jew, who was lucky enough to become part of that Jewish community. Chapters are divided into the usual arrangement of appetizers, starters, mains and desserts, but there are also sections on the different religious festivals, as well as detailed information of what constitutes ‘kosher’. All the well-known classics are there, such as Gefilte fish, Knaidlach, Latkes and Challah, and more, in the 100 plus recipes, whether traditional or modern.
  • The Zebra's Stripes: And Other African Animal Tales

    Dianne Stewart, Kathy Pienaar

    Paperback (Penguin Random House South Africa, July 1, 2011)
    Aimed at children everywhere, this wonderful collection of folk tales that find their origins in tribes from all over Africa, have been retold by Dianne Stewart. These include legends such as ‘How Lion and Warthog became Enemies’ from the Lamba, ‘How Giraffe Acquired His Long Neck’ from east Africa, ‘Why Hippopotamus Lives in the Water’ from Nigeria and ‘Monkey the Musician’ from South Africa. There are tales from the San, the Zulu, Zambia, Congo and West Africa, et al. At the end of each section - devoted to a type of animal - there are facts about the animal in question, adding to the educational value of the stories. The book is beautifully illustrated by Kathy Pienaar with great attention to detail.
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  • Amazing African Animal Alphabet

    Kristina Jones

    Hardcover (Penguin Random House South Africa, July 10, 2018)
    This illustrated alphabet book showcases African animals and other objects that children will recognise. To enhance basic letter recognition, the letters are in upper and lower case, both large enough for small fingers to trace around to practise each letter shape. Each illustration includes a single sentence introducing an animal. The sentence structure is the same for each animal, to encourage reading due to the repetitive nature of the text.The names of each animal have been carefully selected as common names in Southern Africa. Built into each illustration is a series of items or actions that begin with the featured letter of the alphabet. Children are encouraged to find all of the things that begin with each letter. This aids in phonetic processing as each word needs to be said aloud to determine whether it begins with the correct letter.
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  • Field Guide to Insects of South Africa: The most complete guide to South African insects

    Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths, Alan Weaving

    Paperback (Penguin Random House South Africa, Sept. 5, 2019)
    This trusted best-seller has been comprehensively updated and expanded to feature accounts of over 1,500 species and insect groups. Included are the most common, most economically and ecologically important, interesting and attractive insects in the region.It features:• vivid photographs• easy-to-read text• detailed accounts covering identification, biology, distribution and related species• a helpful introduction detailing the significance, life history, collection and photography of insects, and• quick reference guides on the inside covers to facilitate identification.Entomologists both amateur and professional, students, gardeners, farmers, tourists and anyone with an interest in the natural world will appreciate this illuminating and invaluable guide.