Wendy Maartens – författare

Torchbearers 1: Ingrid, Thuli, Grizelda Torchbearers; heroic women; inspiring women of South Africa. This amazing series contains the stories of 12 women who deserve to be celebrated; women that will inspire anyone. From well-known women like Thuli Madonsela, Caster Semenya and Vanessa Govender, to more unsung heroes such as Grizelda Grootboom and Suna Venter. The women who are featured in these stories are trailblazers; inspiration for every South African woman and girl. They swim against the stream and empower others. Linki Brand’s artful illustrations of the women reinforce this, and the bright and modern use of colour is a shameless celebration of women - perfect for the time we live in. This series is a must have for every young reader. The books can be bought individually or in a beautiful box set that is a wonderful collector’s item.

Torchbearers 2: Caster, Zulaikha, Saray Torchbearers; heroic women; inspiring women of South Africa. This amazing series contains the stories of 12 women who deserve to be celebrated; women that will inspire anyone. From well-known women like Thuli Madonsela, Caster Semenya and Vanessa Govender, to more unsung heroes such as Grizelda Grootboom and Suna Venter. The women who are featured in these stories are trailblazers; inspiration for every South African woman and girl. They swim against the stream and empower others. Linki Brand’s artful illustrations of the women reinforce this, and the bright and modern use of colour is a shameless celebration of women - perfect for the time we live in. This series is a must have for every young reader. The books can be bought individually or in a beautiful box set that is a wonderful collector’s item.

Torchbearers 3: Esther, Vanessa, ElsjeTorchbearers; heroic women; inspiring women of South Africa. This amazing series contains the stories of 12 women who deserve to be celebrated; women that will inspire anyone. From well-known women like Thuli Madonsela, Caster Semenya and Vanessa Govender, to more unsung heroes such as Grizelda Grootboom and Suna Venter. The women who are featured in these stories are trailblazers; inspiration for every South African woman and girl. They swim against the stream and empower others. Linki Brand’s artful illustrations of the women reinforce this, and the bright and modern use of colour is a shameless celebration of women - perfect for the time we live in. This series is a must have for every young reader. The books can be bought individually or in a beautiful box set that is a wonderful collector’s item.

Torchbearers 4: Zolani, Maggie, Suna Torchbearers; heroic women; inspiring women of South Africa. This amazing series contains the stories of 12 women who deserve to be celebrated; women that will inspire anyone. From well-known women like Thuli Madonsela, Caster Semenya and Vanessa Govender, to more unsung heroes such as Grizelda Grootboom and Suna Venter. The women who are featured in these stories are trailblazers; inspiration for every South African woman and girl. They swim against the stream and empower others. Linki Brand’s artful illustrations of the women reinforce this, and the bright and modern use of colour is a shameless celebration of women - perfect for the time we live in. This series is a must have for every young reader. The books can be bought individually or in a beautiful box set that is a wonderful collector’s item.

Nicole en Pappa trek in ’n nuwe huis in Kaapstad in ná die dood van haar ma. Die nuwe huis voel vreemd en leeg, en Nicole mis vir Mamma vreeslik.

Wanneer Nicole verjaar, neem Pappa haar na die middestad om roomys te eet en vir haar nuwe skoene te koop. Hier ontdek hulle ’n beseerde gansie wat hulle saamneem huis toe.

Hulle bure help om die gansie gesond te kry en sommer gou voel die nuwe huis en straat soos ‘n ware tuiste.

Nicole en Pappa is mal oor hulle nuwe buurt en hulle het reeds ‘n klomp vriende gemaak. Daar is oom Samsodien met die mooi roostuin, tannie Bets met die poedels, die Masango-gesin met die twee klein dogtertjies, mevrou Carboni en haar kleinseun Luca met sy rekenaar en kitaar, die veearts en haar ontvangsdame, Simon in die rolstoel, en die busbestuurder wat elke dag vir Simon na sy toe skool neem.

Maar Nicole het steeds nie ’n maat van haar eie ouderdom nie. Iemand wat sy haar BESTE maat kan noem. Dan kom Zintle huis toe vir die skoolvakansie. Sy woon oorkant Nicole-hulle en al is sy blind, is sy baie onafhanklik en groot pret. Saam bou die twee maats vir Appelliefie ’n dam, maar hulle kry stry wanneer Nicole vir Zintle met alles probeer help, selfs met die dinge wat sy self kan doen. Asof dit nie genoeg is nie, is daar ook ’n droogte in Kaapstad. Hoe op aarde gaan hulle genoeg water kry om die dam vol te maak? Gelukkig is daar altyd hulp in ’n buurt soos hulle s’n …

Druppel baljaar saam met Mamma in die vlak water. Die olfyntjie raak vriende met Leila, ’n dogtertjie wat saam met haar pa op ’n branderplank ry. Van toe af speel hulle elke oggend tog te lekker saam. Een vreeslike oggend draai daar plastiek om Druppel en Mamma, en hulle spoel op die strand uit. Leila kry hulle daar. Sy en haar pa doen alles wat hulle kan om hulle nuwe vriende te red.

Wiekie woon in ’n sirkus. Al is sy net ’n welpie, begin die leeutemmer haar reeds toertjies leer. Wiekie se hart is seer. Sy wil nie soos Mamma toertjies doen en in ’n hok wees nie. Mamma vertel vir Wiekie dat hulle van Afrika kom en gebore is om vry te wees. Hulle word uit die sirkus gered en na Suid-Afrika geneem. Daar is hulle vry om boom te klim en in die gras te rol.

Patat slaap elke aand styf teen Mamma in die berg. Vroegoggend begin die hele trop bobbejane kos soek. Partykeer is daar nie genoeg kos in die berg en op die strand nie. Dan moet hulle dorp toe gaan. ’n Kwaai man wil vir Patat en Mamma uit ’n lukwartboom jaag. Maar die vrou en dogtertjie wat daar woon, gee nie om dat hulle kom kuier het nie. Patat weet nou hulle het vriende in die dorp.

Danser bly saam met sy familie in die vlei. Die perde loop wild rond en is baie skaam. ’n Fotograaf neem foto’s van hulle vir ’n kalender. Die mense hou baie daarvan. Eendag bring die fotograaf ’n seuntjie in ’n rolstoel saam. Danser vergeet om skaam te wees. Hy doen allerhande lawwe dinge om die seuntjie te laat glimlag. Dit word ’n baie spesiale dag en die seuntjie belowe om weer te kom kuier.

Liam is afraid of the dark and strange noises. When he has to say no to his friends who want to go on a scary ride at the fair he feels embarrassed.

But with some wisdom and guidance from his dad, Liam learns that saying no can be very brave.

This sweet story about a scared little elephant teaches children that every emotion is valid, and that courage looks different for each of us.

Gugu is nervous about her first day at a new school. But a kind gesture, a shared lunch and a rescued bird help her classmates see what a great friend she can be.

Join in Gugu’s journey, as she goes from feeling anxious to showing kindness and being welcomed.

This sweet story about a kind little zebra teaches children that every emotion is valid, and that we can show empathy and respect in all situations.

Sello is feeling sad after his best friend moves away. He also feels sad when his dog dies and when he is bullied at school.

But with Mama’s help, he learns that crying is nothing to be ashamed of. Sello starts to feel stronger and less alone when, thanks to his uncle, he discovers a new hobby.

This sweet story about a sad little lion teaches children that every emotion is valid, and that difficult situations can help us to find our inner strength.

Chloe is feeling angry today. With an annoying big brother and teasing classmates, she can’t help feeling angry.

But with her teacher’s guidance, she paints a beautiful mural that brightens both the school wall and her mood.

This sweet story about a feisty little meerkat teaches children that every emotion is valid, and what matters most is how we respond to what we feel.

Also available in Afrikaans as Diere maniere: Miekie tel tot tien.

Liam is afraid of the dark and strange noises. When he has to say no to his friends who want to go on a scary ride at the fair he feels embarrassed.

But with some wisdom and guidance from his dad, Liam learns that saying no can be very brave.

This sweet story about a scared little elephant teaches children that every emotion is valid, and that courage looks different for each of us.

Also available in Afrikaans as Diere maniere: Lukas laat sy lig skyn.

Chloe is feeling angry today. With an annoying big brother and teasing classmates, she can’t help feeling angry.

But with her teacher’s guidance, she paints a beautiful mural that brightens both the school wall and her mood.

This sweet story about a feisty little meerkat teaches children that every emotion is valid, and what matters most is how we respond to what we feel.

Also available in Afrikaans as Diere maniere: Miekie tel tot tien.

Sello is feeling sad after his best friend moves away. He also feels sad when his dog dies and when he is bullied at school.

But with Mama’s help, he learns that crying is nothing to be ashamed of. Sello starts to feel stronger and less alone when, thanks to his uncle, he discovers a new hobby.

This sweet story about a sad little lion teaches children that every emotion is valid, and that difficult situations can help us to find our inner strength.

Also available in Afrikaans as Diere maniere: Simon staan sy man.

Gugu is nervous about her first day at a new school. But a kind gesture, a shared lunch and a rescued bird help her classmates see what a great friend she can be.

Join in Gugu’s journey, as she goes from feeling anxious to showing kindness and being welcomed.

This sweet story about a kind little zebra teaches children that every emotion is valid, and that we can show empathy and respect in all situations.

Also available in Afrikaans as Diere maniere: Katryn kry `n ster.

Experience Whisper''s journey of hope and rescue.

Whisper lives in a circus. Even though she’s just a cub, the lion tamer already starts teaching her tricks. This makes Whisper sad.

She doesn’t want to do tricks like her mom and be in a cage. Mom tells Whisper that they come from Africa and were born to be free.

Their friends rescue them from the circus and arrange for them to be taken to South Africa. There Whisper is free to climb trees and roll in the grass.

Pickle and her mom sleep in the mountains every night.

In the mornings, the whole troop of baboons search for food. Sometimes there isn’t enough food on the mountain and on the beach. Then they have to go to the village.

A mean man wants to chase Pickle and Mom out of a loquat tree. But the woman and little girl who live there don’t mind that they came to visit.

Pickle now knows they have friends in the village.