Koba of the Kalahari

by Melissa Heckler and Lesley Beake

Published 25 February 2009
Koba is a San girl living with her family in the Kalahari. Her Grandmother repeats a phrase throughout the story: 'It is not like it was in the old days. Everything has changed!' The story shows how modern technology has changed the San people's lifestyle, but it also shows how some of the beautiful, simple things have not changed, such as telling stories around the fire and the smell of cooking. The story ends with Grandmother thinking about making a big personal change – learning to read.

Finding Dad

by Lesley Beake

Published 26 February 2009
Finding Dad is about a boy whose parents separate when he is very young. He lives with his mother and never gets to know his father. One day his father dies. He makes a journey to spend time with his father's mother. He spends time in his father's childhood room and learns about his father from the things he left behind.