Books published by publisher Jacana Media

In this fascinating account of scientific study among forbidding wilderness, a husband-and-wife team describe their trek to the Kalahari to study the little-known brown hyena. The details of the scientific inquiry are provided while the daily challenges of living with children 420 kilometers from the nearest town are described. Despite the hardships, the couple becomes so enchanted by these intelligent animals that they stay for 12 years, documenting many hyena clans and observing behavior only a handful of people have ever seen.

Beautifully depicted in collage-illustrations with a visual edge, this traditional African fable emphasizes the importance of sharing. Baby Baobab may be the tallest, greenest tree, but he is also boastful. Sun warns him not to be so vain, but Baby Baobab ignores him and is rude to the insects and animals that wish to settle on his branches. Sun is angered by the little tree's unwillingness to share and decides to teach him a lesson by turning him upside down and burying his beautiful branches underground.

The first in an ongoing series, A Little Horse Called Pancakes introduces young readers to a very special relationship between a girl and her miniature horse. They develop a bond and challenge what others perceive as the norm with the help of all the animals that live on their farm. With beautiful colour and black-and-white illustrations, the book uses the discipline of equestrian vaulting to educate readers about the sport and convey the lesson that commitment and dedication pay off in the end. It is aimed at children aged 4-8 and can be used as an early reader.

Exit! is the story of Grizelda Grootboom life of prostitution and her ultimate escape from it all. Grizelda's life was dramatically changed when she was gang raped at the age of nine by teenagers in her township. Her story starts there. It is a story about the cycle of poverty, family abandonment, dislocation and survival in the streets of Cape Town. She reveals the seedy and often demonised life of a prostitute; she describes the clubs and beds of the prostitution and drug industry over a twelve-year period. She moves to Johannesburg at age of 18 in an attempt to start a new life, but instead she is trafficked on arrival in Yeoville, tied in a room for two weeks and forced to work as a sex slave. What follows is a life of living hand-to-mouth, from one street corner to another, being pimped, being taught how to strip, and acquiring and using a variety of drugs – from buttons, ecstasy and cannabis to cocaine – to sustain herself. She speaks of how her prostitution gains momentum in city strip clubs and the sometimes tragic pregnancies that would follow. Grizelda's harrowing tale ends with reconciliation with her family, while raising her six-year-old son. In writing this story she hopes to open a window on the hidden and often misunderstood world of prostitution, thereby raising better awareness and understanding about its harms and the horrors of trafficking and prostitution of women and children, and drug abuse. She hopes to heal and to set an example for others to follow.

This is the third story about the cool Nguni calf named Gaps. This time, Gaps and his cousin Sugarbean want to grow mielies and beans for the Farmers' Show. Will they win the prize for the best crop? Gaps's real name is 'Gaps between the Branches'. This is because it looks like he is sitting in the shade of a tree, and the sun is making shadows on his hide. Sugarbean's name is 'Sugarbean' because her hide looks like speckled sugar beans.

This series of comical stories set in the fictional, vast, and wondrous Land of Kachoo has rhyming verse, quirky illustrations, and lovable characters, making Kachoo more than memorable. These enchanting books will charm the child in everyone. Bushbaby sets off on a night-time adventure with two friends he picks up along the way, bush pig and bushbuck. But when they encounter a one-eyed leopard, bushbaby has to think quickly to make sure his new friends don’t become a bountiful leopard buffet.

Join Aunty Apples and her dog, Manny, as they putter through the South African countryside in this Christmas adventure. They camp under the stars, swim in secluded rock pools, talk to the local residents in the little towns and villages they pass, and witness the spectacular sunsets. On Christmas Day they return with a surprise for their family in the city.

This series of comical stories set in the fictional, vast, and wondrous Land of Kachoo has rhyming verse, quirky illustrations, and lovable characters, making Kachoo more than memorable. These enchanting books will charm the child in everyone. The lion looks for something meaty to eat one evening. With his spoon and his bowl in hand, he is ready for a meal but cannot pick up the scent of any animal. Will he find something tasty to quiet his rumbling belly?

‘Van Wyk said he wanted to be read by everyone; by those about whom he wrote and by those who found his own culture foreign; he chose to write in several genres because “I could”.’ – Mail & Guardian, Maureen Isaacson ‘Kids loved him [Chris van Wyk] – he visited schools all around the country to tell stories and get kids reading. He simply captivated them.’ – Daily Maverick, J Brooks Spector Mr Hare meets Mr Mandela is one of the last stories Chris van Wyk wrote before he died and it originally appeared in Sunday Times Storytime: 10 South African Stories for Children. Mr Hare finds a R200 note on his doorstep. When he turns the note over he sees Mr Mandela’s face and decides to brave the big city of Johannesburg to return it to Mr Mandela. But Mr Hare cannot read and he comes across many people along the way who want to get their hands on Mr Mandela’s money. Mr Hare also cannot work out why the note keeps changing colour! The book is available in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa and isiZulu.

The third in an ongoing series, A Little Horse Called Pancakes And The Beach Rescue is adapted from real-life characters and events within the Cape Town horse-riding community. The story sees the rescue of a small dog, with the help of a miniature horse and his best friend, and incorporates important lessons for young children. With beautiful colour and black-and-white illustrations, the book – like A Little Horse Called Pancakes and A Little Horse Called Pancakes And The Big Mountain Fire – is aimed at ages 4-8 and can be used as an early reader.

A take on the traditional German tale Rapunzel in a Southern African setting Zukiswa Wanner brings young readers a retelling of the classic fairy tale, Rapunzel, with a uniquely South African twist. Refilwe is the story of the dreadlocked beauty who is stuck in a cave on top of a mountain awaiting her prince, Tumi. This take on the classic tale will have the children chanting, “Refilwe, Refilwe let down your locks . . . So I can climb the scraggy rocks!” Based on the original version but reimagined for African children, the tale is enriched with magical illustrations by Tamsin Hinrichsen that will keep all children entranced and foster in them a love of reading.