Thanks to Dibukids, children also get the chance to enjoy the France-South Africa seasons

The Dibukids project started in 2011 with the aim to promote youth literature and to propose storytelling, creative workshops or exhibitions to a younger public. Remaining true to these objectives, Dibukids seizes the opportunity of the France-South Africa crossed seasons to foster an ambitious partnership between artists specialised in child literature from both countries. Respected French storyteller and writer Yves Pinguilly and illustrator Florence Koening will be in South Africa during the month of July, proposing kids a whole range of activities. Among other things, they will team up with South African author William Gumede and illustrator Maja Sereda to animate exciting days of fun, creativity and laughter at various workshops throughout the country. Both illustrators will also propose a joint exhibition around their respective works. Here follows their full program:

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« Carte Blanche » to Joan Rankin - South African children’s books author and illustrator

On the Saturday 3 March 2012, from 10am to 3pm, Dibukids will give "Carte Blanche" to Joan Rankin, the renowned South African children’s books author and illustrator. During this once-off event, Rankin will open up her multi-faceted imaginary universe to kids and parents through various events and activities including an exhibition, free workshops, books and toys sales, storytelling, a puppet show and much more…

“Being creative and using the imagination is a very important part of my life. It is something I wish to encourage in children. Through children's books and visiting schools, I hope to widen children's horizons, by showing them book illustrations, drawing for them, and showing them shadow puppet theatre”, says Joan Rankin. She has illustrated over 30 children’s books, her pastel universe is filled with enchanting animals and characters. While using animals as main characters and humour, she hopes to help young children to understand and deal with the real life situation that they face.

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New story telling by Sandra, Mbali and Billy

Our three enthralling storytellers, Sandra Mbali and Billy will take you and your little one (from 4 years old) to the land of African tales.

When : Saturday 28 of January @ 10.30
Where : Dibuka - 17 Lower Park Drive, Cnr Kerry Road – Parkview

Free Entrance

Contact : 011 646 1115 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - www.alliance.org.za

Brought to you by the French Institute of South Africa, Dibuka and the Alliance Française of Johannesburg

Le Petit Nicolas: the magic of every-day life through the lenses of childhood

In March 1959, the legendary French comics writer René Goscinny associated with illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé for what then seemed no more than a side project: short stories for children told by one of them, "Young Nicholas" (or, in French, "Le Petit Nicolas"). Little more than 50 years later, the project has become a hit with 8 volumes published (most of them waiting for you at Dibuka), millions of copies sold, translations in several languages and even a cinematographic adaptation.

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BNF for children

Enter the children section of the French National Library (BNF)! You will discover a specially designed reading room with didactic games or a reserve of rare books where you can go through lovely vintage children books and albums – "My very first little Book of Letters", "The little Folk's Linen ABC book"... You can also wander on a virtual playground or get lost in the curiosity cabinet.

The clever editorial policy of “Autrement Jeunesse”

For years, the French publishing house “Autrement Jeunesse” – of which some books are available at Dibuka – has had an ambitious editorial policy. Betting on the children intelligence, it acknowledges them the ability to feel emotions, to think and to ask questions both to themselves and to others. The child is considered as a reader in his own right, just as an adult would be; and must be given suited books that are written and designed specially for him.

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"The Little Brown Bear" alive and kicking at Dibuka

Thirty-six years later, the Little Brown Bear (Petit Ours Brun) is still three year old and has become a real classic in libraries and bookshops. The bear was created in 1975 by Claude Lebrun together with the editorial team of Pomme d’Api, and is illustrated by Danièle Bour. Bayard Presse explained that “the Little Brown Bear [was] the hero of first times...” Children of 2 to 3 year old identify very easily with the feelings of the Little Brown Bear who lives short, simple and universal adventures. Through these, children can read about the whole register of everyday life, reinforced by straight-forward and colourful graphics: school, fear, parents’ love, the potty and, more generally, discovering and relating to the world.

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Marie-Aude Murail's « Oh, boy ! » : a story like no other

A prolific French author, Marie-Aude Murail has published several teen novels in which she dares to confront various important issues. Her best-seller “Oh, boy!” was awarded several literary prizes and has even been adapted for the TV under the title “One does not chooses one's parents. ” The book waits for you at Dibuka, feel free to (re)discover it!

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Workshop for kids by Maja Sereda, illustrator

The 19th of November will see the start of a new initiative at Dibuka. Dibukids, the new label promoting the access to books and literature for children and teenagers, will launch its first workshop by inviting Maja Sereda (practical informations here). A renowned South African illustrator and artist, Sereda has published more than 15 books intended for the younger audiences. The artist has won attention from the art world by her cross-genre approach, using different medium in her illustrations, from gouache to oil and ink to digital media. IntoFrench has met her to understand her approach and to know a bit more about what she has in mind for the workshop.

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