Afrikaans & South African home-language children's books
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More about Afrikaans & South African home-language children’s books
Reading in a child’s home language gives them opportunities to hear familiar words, build vocabulary and enjoy stories in the language they know best. This collection brings together Afrikaans children’s books and books in South African home languages, with stories for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and young readers.
Whether you’re looking for familiar favourites, books that reflect South African children and families, or stories to support a multilingual home, you’ll find books for reading aloud, independent reading and simply enjoying together.
Why are home-language books important for children?
Books in a child’s home language can support vocabulary, comprehension and early literacy while making reading feel familiar and meaningful. They also give children opportunities to see their own language represented in the stories they read and share with others.
Which South African languages can I find books in?
Our collection includes children’s books in Afrikaans and a growing selection of South African home languages, including isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho and Sepedi. Availability varies as we find and add books we genuinely think are worth sharing.
Are these books suitable for babies and toddlers?
Yes. Home-language reading can begin from babyhood. Board books, picture books, rhyming stories and books with repetition are particularly lovely for younger children, while older children can explore longer stories and books they can begin reading themselves.
Can home-language books support children growing up multilingual?
Yes. Children do not need to read only in one language. Sharing stories across the languages used at home, school and in the wider community can give children more opportunities to build vocabulary, make connections between languages and enjoy reading in different contexts.
How do I choose the right home-language book for my child?
Start with your child’s age, interests and current relationship with the language. Younger children may enjoy simple stories with familiar objects, animals, routines, rhythm and repetition. As their language grows, look for richer stories, humour, conversation and books they’ll want to hear again and again.
And don't worry too much about choosing the book that seems most educational. A story your child asks you to read for the fifteenth time is doing plenty of work already.
Do you only stock books originally written in Afrikaans or other South African languages?
No. The collection can include both original South African children’s stories and translated books, giving families access to familiar titles as well as stories, characters and voices created closer to home.
