Teacher and first-time author Praline Hudson has just released a new children’s book, Nandi in KwaZulu, which seeks to promote diversity in South Africa.
Hudson released her book on World Book Day, this past weekend in Barcelona, Spain, according to a statement by her publicists on Monday (25 April).
New South African children’s book
Inspired by Hudson’s South African roots, the children’s book tells the story of Nandi and her friends growing up in a carefree KwaZulu-Natal, and the fun involved in an age-old game.
Hudson has been an early years educator for thirty years and wanted to contribute towards diversity in children’s literature while fostering a love of language and reading.Â
“I decided to write this story because of the lack of representation I found of people of colour in the storybooks I was reading to my three daughters some twenty years ago,” she explains.Â
“While things have thankfully changed since then, we must not tire of bringing books based on the diversity of our planet to little ones. I want children to read this book to experience the joy of reading, to experience how language can transport one and to discover the characteristics of people and their lands.”
Age range
Parents can read the richly and beautifully illustrated book to their children aged between 0 and 5 years old. The 6 to 7 age group can also read the story of Nandi for themselves.
Choosing to write for children in the 0 to 7 years age range was deliberate. “As an early years educator, I am still amazed daily at the capacity for young minds to absorb and to grasp experiences with curiosity and openness,” says the author.Â
“I believe that we can forge an amazing world for all by showing children that diversity is enriching and by opening their minds to learning about all those who inhabit our planet, from every corner of the earth.”
Originally from Durban in South Africa, Hudson has been living in Barcelona since 1994. The Montessori-trained teacher and mother of three, who has always had a love of writing, decided to pursue her dream of crafting a children’s book during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
“MarĂa Montessori spoke about fantasy and how we could enrich young minds with amazing stories based on our real world. This stuck with me, and the result is Nandi in KwaZulu, a fictional tale based in my motherland! I hope that my book will reach many hands and be shared with as many little people as possible.”
Nandi in KwaZulu, published by Fox Editions, is available on Amazon. It will also be available via Ethnikids in South Africa soon.