Multilingual story supplementsBrowse our archive of Nal'ibali reading-for-enjoyment story supplements available in 10 language combinations.
In edition 49, we share our top tips on choosing books for children. We feature Story Star the Kidz2kidz Trust, which drives the Santa Shoebox Project each year; and we share two new stories: ‘Just right!’ by Vanessa Burnett and Sally MacLarty (Cambridge University Press) and part two of ‘Vusi and Sinazo’ by Helen Brain.
isiXhosa, English (PDF)
isiZulu, English (PDF)
Afrikaans, English (PDF)
Sesotho, English (PDF)
In this edition, we discuss how to share books with children. We meet Story Star John Jansen from Rotary in the Eastern Cape, who is helping to distribute Nal’ibali supplements to local schools. Our cut-out-and-keep story is ‘How zebras got their stripes’ by Anthony Silverstone, Raffaella Delle Donne and Daniel Clarke, PLUS we feature part one of ‘Vusi and Sinazo’, written by Helen Brain, which is our read-aloud story of the week.
isiXhosa, English (PDF)
isiZulu, English (PDF)
Afrikaans, English (PDF)
Sesotho, English (PDF)
Read our top tips on talking about books with children, which is just as important as reading books with them! Meet the Reading Gogos of Daveyton and enjoy the cut-out-and-keep story ‘Let there be peace’ by Jeremy Brooks and Jude Daly (Songololo), in celebration of International Peace Day. The read-aloud story is part two of ‘Thembela in the wind’ by Leo Daly.
isiXhosa, English (PDF)
isiZulu, English (PDF)
Afrikaans, English (PDF)
Sesotho, English (PDF)
In this edition, we take a look at what a reading world looks like – and how you can help create one! Our Story Star is children’s librarian Tracey Muir, who spoke about libraries and reading. Our cut-out-and-keep story is ‘Lauren's new hairdo’ by Heidi Samuels and Natalie Hinrichsen (Cambridge University Press), and the read-aloud story in the Story Corner is part one of ‘Thembela in the wind’, by Leo Daly.
isiXhosa, English (PDF)
isiZulu, English (PDF)
Afrikaans, English (PDF)
Sesotho, English (PDF)
In this special edition – celebrating International Literacy Day – we discuss the power of literacy and how to encourage literacy development in our children. Our Story Star is Pedro Espi-Sanchis, the music man who tells stories through innovative instruments; and the cut-out-and-keep story is ‘It started with a puppy’ . The read-aloud story is ‘Go!’ by Carole Bloch and Marna Hattingh (Jacana Media).
isiXhosa, English (PDF)
isiZulu, English (PDF)
Afrikaans, English (PDF)
Sesotho, English (PDF)
It’s important that children understand that we write for real reasons. Read our suggested ideas for how to get them writing with meaning! Our Story Star is Felicia Watson, an inspirational teacher and founder of the Kannemeyer Reading Club. The cut-out-and-keep story is ‘A long way to baba’ written by Sue Hepker, Mirna Lawrence and Elizabeth Andrew (Cambridge University Press), and the read-aloud story is part two of ‘The magic paintbrush’ by Wendy Hartmann.
isiXhosa, English (PDF)
isiZulu, English (PDF)
Afrikaans, English (PDF)
Sesotho, English (PDF)
In this edition, children tell us what they think about reading. The featured Story Star is librarian Righardt le Roux, who shares how he believes libraries can develop communities. Our cut-out-and-keep story is ‘The witch who lives on the hill’ by Lauri Kubuitsile and Vilan Oelfsen (Heartlines). And the read-aloud story is part one of ‘The magic paintbrush’, which is retold by Wendy Hartmann.
isiXhosa, English (PDF)
isiZulu, English (PDF)
Afrikaans, English (PDF)
Sesotho, English (PDF)
Reading clubs don’t have to be big! Read our top tips for running a small reading club. Meet our Story Star of the week: teen Nicole Malcomson. Our cut-out-and-keep story is ‘Baby monkey's bananas’ by Sue Hepker and Graeme Viljoen (Cambridge University Press). The read-aloud story in the Story Corner is part two of ‘The mermaid's purse’ by Jude Daly.
isiXhosa, English (PDF)
isiZulu, English (PDF)
Afrikaans, English (PDF)
Sesotho, English (PDF)
In this edition, we focus on books and babies! Check out our top tips on sharing books with 0-3 year olds. We also meet librarian Roni Snitcher, whose ‘Pram Jam’ sessions open up the world of books and stories for toddlers and their caregivers. The cut-out-and-keep story is ‘Tuft finds a pet’ by Wendy Hartmann, and the read-aloud story is part one of ‘The mermaid's purse’, written by Jude Daly.
isiXhosa, English (PDF)
isiZulu, English (PDF)
Afrikaans, English (PDF)
Sesotho, English (PDF)
A little unsure how to plan a reading club session? We share easy-to-follow tips to help get you started! Our Story Star is FunDza, a partner literacy trust organisation that uses mobile technology to get teens reading. Our cut-out-and-keep story is ‘More twisted tales’ by Jenny Robson (FunDza); and the read-aloud story is ‘Hippo and his friends’, written by Tuelo Gabonewe and Alzette Prins (Zigzag books).
In edition 39, we celebrate our youth. Reading and storytelling is an important way to invest in our children – and so we have five easy ways to do so! We also interview young author Ziyaad Aburahman, our Story Star of the week. And we feature two new stories: ‘A kite's flight’ by William Gumede and Maja Sereda (Jacana Media), and part two of ‘The lonely tailor’ by Derek Wiid.
It’s our first birthday! To celebrate we take a look at some of our success stories. We also feature a special story by the brilliant Zukiswa Wanner, ‘The worst birthday ever’; and our read-aloud story is part one of ‘The lonely tailor’, written by Derek Wiid.
This special edition is dedicated to Children’s Day! We share tips on how to respond to children's attempts at reading and writing. Our Story Star is Brenda Rhode, founder of the Young Author’s Club. Our cut-out-and-keep story is ‘Moving house’ by Jenny Hatton and Joan Rankin (Jacana Media), AND we have details of our Children’s Day competition.
In this edition, we provide tips on motivating children to read; and we introduce Story Star, Faith Shabangu – a reading role model who volunteers at reading clubs in her community. Our read-aloud story is ‘Clever busy bee’ by Awebahe Johannes Hoeseb and Brendan Ruiters (Zigzag books), and the cut-out-and-keep story is from Sonny Jim, written by Robin Malan (Songololo/Shuter and Shooter).
Literacy development doesn’t just take place at school! Read our tips for nurturing literacy at home. ‘What are you doing?’ by Carole Bloch and Nikki Jones (Jacana Media) is the cut-out-and-keep story for the week; and we provide a blank book for your child to create their own read-aloud story!
In this edition, we share our top tips for creating a print-rich environment, perfect for encouraging children to keep on reading. Our cut-out-and-keep story is ‘You can dance’ by Michael Williams and Louisa Gerryts (Cambridge University Press); PLUS the read-aloud story is part two of ‘The girl who didn't want to grow up’, written by Veronique Tadjo (Jacana Media).
Do you know how to tell if your child is becoming an independent reader? We outline the signs in this edition. ‘Finding Aunty Joan’ by Jenny Hatton and Joan Rankin (Jacana) is the cut-out-and-keep story; and we feature part one of the read-aloud story ‘The girl who didn't want to grow up’, written by Veronique Tadjo (Jacana Media).
In this edition, we look at ways to explore the world with children through books. The cut-out-and-keep story is ‘Who's afraid of the dark?’ by Dianne Stewart and Joan Rankin (Jacana Media). The read-aloud story is part two of ‘Mini meerkat’, as retold by Joanne Bloch.
Find out how to source reading material for your reading club or classroom, and read all about our World Read Aloud Day event: with your help, we read to nearly 13,000 children! Our featured story is ‘Oh no!’ by Carole Bloch and Nikki Jones (Jacana); and the read-aloud story is part one of Mini Meerkat, as retold by Joanne Bloch.
In this edition, we share simple yet effective storytelling tips. The featured cut-out-and-keep story is ‘Terrible graakwa’ by Janine Corneilse, Marcelle Edwards, Jamela January, Shirley de Kock and Terry Milne (Cambridge University Press); and the read-aloud story is part two of ‘The lion and the monkey’ by Ikeogu Oke.