Book Birthdays!
Created September 02, 2026 by Elizabeth Sparg Illustration
New books by our members
Time for another book birthday celebration! Congratulations to all our members on these new titles:
Toby & Kay: The Secret Super Robot
Gabby Correia has illustrated Toby & Kay: The Secret Super Robot published by Lapa/Penguin Randomhouse and written by Marleen Lammers.
When Kay, a super clever robot, escapes from a laboratory, he chooses Toby’s bedroom as his hiding place. Toby isn’t so sure about having a know-it-all machine as a roommate, but when he realises that Kay’s super-intelligence can help him achieve Great Things, he decides to give this partnership a go. Together, Toby and Kay figure out how to hide a fugitive robot in plain sight, achieve Genius Stuff at school, and fool world class scientists.
https://www.lapa.co.za/toby-kay-the-secret-super-robot
Magic in my Marks
Emily House has illustrated a picture book for debut indie author, Jacqueline Dean.
Magic in my Marks is an uplifting children’s book about seeing beauty in the things that make us different. Just as animals have stripes, spots, patches, and patterns that make them unique, children have their own special marks too. Some marks are tiny, some are big, some are easy to see and some are not. But every child deserves to feel loved, accepted, and proud of their own skin.
Bachbach
Lenka Knoetze has been busy illustrating not one, but two titles!
Bachbach, is written by Jacob Tippet. Bach Bach has a dream. A big one. The kind that makes your feathers flutter. This piano-playing rooster accidentally lands in New York City just in time for the audition of a lifetime.
Luca the lamb and the wild, woolly day
Luca the lamb and the wild, woolly day written by Sarah Lingen and illustrated by Lenka Knoetze
Luca is on the loose! Join the chase to catch Luca the lamb. This entertaining farm adventure follows a gaggle of kids in pursuit of a mischievous runaway. As little Luca frisks and frolics his way through the Karoo veld and farmsteads, young readers see the world of wool in action: sheepdogs rounding up the flock, shearers skilfully shaving fluffy sheep, handsome stud rams winning rosettes, crafters spinning yarn. . . all the way to a fancy fashion show of wacky woollen outfits.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/product/luca-the-lamb-and-the-wild-woolly-day-10310126/
The Boy and the Whale Shark
Cayla Lewis’ debut middle grade novel, The Boy and the Whale Shark has been published by Lapa/Penguin Randomhouse.
Ben has always wanted to be part of the Kayaking Club, but he has a secret skin condition which makes him too self-conscious and scared of being bullied. Then he meets and befriends a mysterious whale shark who helps him realise: Who you are inside is more important than what you look like on the outside. This touching story was inspired by Cayla’s own lived experiences as a child with a chronic skin condition.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/product/boy-and-the-whale-shark-9566924/
Thapelo's Urban Safari
Gisela Lindeque has independently published her first middle-grade book Thapelo's Urban Safari.
A boy relies on his African Bush senses to find his feet on the other side of the world, where his nightmares could either keep him back or set him free by unmasking how his mama really died.
Thapelo and his new family move to a FOREIGN CITY, and it’s absolutely nothing like the South African Bushveld where he used to live – until THE DREADFUL DAY.
Luckily, life in Berlin is EXCITING, with a gazillion things to discover and share with his Malawian family. He loves the city buzz, although the CROWDS MAKE HIM ANXIOUS – till he finds African birds and animals in people around him.
Then HIS OLD NIGHTMARES RETURN and become even scarier. The dreams might never stop, but if he wrestles through them, he could face WHAT REALLY HAPPENED on The Dreadful Day.
You can find more information on her website, https://www.giselalindeque.com/books
The Goat in a Coat
Viv King has independently published her book The Goat in a Coat, illustrates by Libby Harrison.
Viv has written an article for us about her self-publishing journey which you can read here: https://www.scbwi.org/posts/my-journey-into-self-publication