The Strand Library came alive on Saturday 25 October, as families, librarians, and authors from across Cape Town gathered to celebrate the joy of books at the Children’s Book Festival – a day dedicated to imagination, connection, and the magic of reading.
The festival featured an inspiring line-up of authors and storytellers who travelled from across the Cape Town to share their creativity, experience, and love for literature with young readers.
Together, they created a tapestry of voices that celebrated language, culture, and imagination in all its forms.
Participating authors included: award-winning jounalists and author of Kita and the Dusty Red Road and Ellie and the Good Hair Fairy Vennessa Scholtz; model, actress, and entrepreneur Charné Malan; writer, illustrator, and former Kovies lecturer Emmie Smit; educator and children’s author Karen Cammell; author of It’s Okay, Little Star, Tamsyn Cornelius; multi-award-winning poet, screenwriter, and cultural advisor, and author of een voet innie kabr, Gaireyah Fredericks; Afrikaans youth fiction writer Troula Goosen; poet and author of Gediggies van die Kaap, Julie Daniels; legendary Afrikaans children’s author and editor Linda Rod; NB Publishers regional manager and author of books for readers aged nine to 12, Heléne de Clercq; as well as veteran English teacher and storyteller Hidayat Adams.
“Because of our authors and community partners, young readers discovered new favourites, families connected through stories, and our library once again became a place where dreams begin,” said René Walker, area head of Helderberg Libraries (SMT 6) for the City of Cape Town.
“Although I am no longer stationed in Durbanville, I continue to value those lasting connections and honour the authors who supported our libraries there as well. This festival was a beautiful reminder that stories connect us all – across communities and across the city.”
The City’s Library and Information Services extended heartfelt thanks to all the participating authors for their time, passion, and generosity; to the Strand Library team for their professionalism and warm hospitality; and to the many families who joined in and made the day a true community celebration.
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