Books published by publisher Struik Publishers

In this series, traditional African fables about elephants, hippos, lions and other animals of the African bush are combined with factual information about them and their conservation. Keenly aware of the needless destruction of wildlife and vegetation which occurs all over the continent as a result of ever expanding population growth and the greedy, land hungry actions of man, the author brings together a collection of fables told by different African tribes that mirror the richness and diversity of Africa's wildlife. The stories bring home the message that we are all part of the great diversity of life and that it is up to us and future generations to preserve our natural heritage.

Inspired by the magical transformation of Namaqualand each spring – from near desert to fairyland flower carpets, Mary Clanahan has created a tale of natural wonder for children. Chief Nama Kwa thinks that the Great Spirit must have been angry when he created the land, to leave it with such a dry ‘scar’, so Nama Kwa’s people want to surprise him with a wonderful gift on his birthday; they set about creating a garden for him…The characters are sourced from what is known about the Khoekhoen, herders who lived in the area 2000 years ago. It is thought that the Khoisan of southern Africa are descended from the Khiekhoen.

Traditional magic and superstition have always formed an integral part of South Africa's indigenous folktales, in which the tokoloshe is a significant manifestation. Even today many rural and urban Nguni peoples, particularly the Zulu and Xhosa, still believe in the power of these mischievous and sometimes evil, hairy spirits. Interestingly though, the belief in these water sprites has spread to all cultures in South Africa. Usually invisible to adults, tokoloshes are believed to be fond of children and treat them as friends. Against this background, Professor Pieter Scholtz has set his collection of approximately 12 fantasy tales on the adventures of an engagingly naughty little sprite named Tokoloshe. These stories, bound to enthrall young readers in the nine to 14 age range, are followed by an 'activity' section and a glossary. The stories are charmingly and imaginatively illustrated by Cherie Treweek.

"Shaka - Warrior King of the Zulu is a thrilling, action-packed tale about the life of this brilliant military leader, and now Shaka's gripping story has been placed within the reach of the younger reader. René Herman's superb illustrations, together with Lynn Bedford Hall's masterful story-telling, will enthrall children as they learn of Shaka's unhappy childhood, his deep affection for his mother, the devoted loyalty of his friends and the terrible vengeance he wreaked among his enemies. Shaka's story is set in the heart of Zululand over a century and a half ago.

Fanyana is a little boy who lives in Africa and, because he is very poor, he makes a toy crocodile out of clay. When a lion is about to have Fanyana for his dinner, the crocodile, called Makulu, comes to life and chases the lion away. He then instructs Fanyana to help the animals and even become friends with the nasty lion. Fanyana talks to the animals is a title of children's verse in which Fanyana does exactly what the crocodile says and helps many animals with their problems.

Follow along as Pup learns how to eat spiky sea urchins, somersault beneath the waves and groom himself. He still needs lots of help from Mother, but one day Pup will be old enough to dive down below the waves and search for food on his ownAccompanied by beautiful illustrations and set in the North Pacific, this heartwarming tale is perfect for little ones who still have lots to learn themselves.

Three generations of a South African family come to life in this warm memoir of cozy kitchens, memorable places, quirky characters and soul food. Zuretha Roos draws on the memories of the abundant farm kitchens of her Hex River Valley childhood, happy Stellenbosch student days and the, sometimes challenging, world of marriage and young motherhood in seventies' Johannesburg to become an accomplished cook and magazine food editor. In amongst the pots and pans, busy city life is pleasantly interrupted by holidays in Kleinmond, idyllic sojourns at Keurboomstrand and weekends on an isolated farm in the Waterberg. All is blissful, if not a little chaotic, until immense tragedy strikes and her once happy family has to come to terms with a brutal twist of fate...Woven together with trusted family recipes, these tales bring to mind a time when history was shaped over strong cups of coffee and food came from the earth, the ocean and a mother's heart.

Although African dinosaurs make a significant contribution to palaeontology, they are often omitted from books in favor of better-known species like T. Rex. But their fossils have been discovered across the continent – from the Sahara Desert and the dusty plains of Kenya and Tanzania to the sandstone flats of the Karoo – and they are no less magnificent or fascinating than their 'celebrity' cousins.Famous Dinosaurs of Africa is written for children, but has broad appeal for anyone interested in learning more about dinosaurs. A brief general introduction is followed by short chapters on dinosaur species, among them those that were fish-eating, sociable, predatory, etc, as well as those that were cannibals, and the biggest meat-eating dinosaur of all time – the thread being that they all come from Africa. Details are given about where they were found, the meaning of their scientific names, and their size and diet. Spectacular, colorful illustrations bring the creatures vividly to life; photographs, maps and line drawings further illustrate the subject, while 'Unsolved' and 'Up close' panels add to the intrigue. With a large, pullout poster, this is a most attractive and inspirational book.

This guide is part of the "First Field Guide" series of natural history field guides, developed in the hope that young people increasingly will take up the challenge to learn the secrets of the fascinating wild creatures of Southern Africa. These little guides are an invaluable resource for the budding naturalist, providing information at a glance through superb photographs, maps and easy-to-read text.