Literacy Day comes alive with Eva van Belle's book launch at Strand Library

Young faces glowed with excitement when they were entertained by poet-artist Eva van Belle during the Literacy Day celebration at Strand Public Library on Tuesday, September 9.

The children’s librarian, Linda Bruwer, organised the book launch to celebrate the joy of reading.

A total of 77  pupils from Grade 1 at Hendrik Louw Primary School engaged with Ms van Belle as she told them how she had created her latest book, Alphabet Rhymes for South African Children.

Each page of the book has a unique watercolour painted by her, and an original poem to highlight each of the letters of the alphabet. She was interviewed by her puppet, Andi, a charming creature who made the children chortle with joy.

Ms van Belle, from Fish Hoek, is a retired occupational therapist with a passion for early childhood development.

Her book was initially written for her eldest daughter when she was four years old. Then forgotten and rediscovered in 2016. Her youngest daughter wrote and published a book at the age of eight, which amazed her young audience.

For Ms van Belle, writing, spending time in nature, art, dance, and music are essential survival skills. She can often be found on the Cape Peninsula mountains, either hiking, scrambling, leading groups of children, or hacking alien invasive vegetation to enable the precious fynbos ecosystem to flourish.

Literacy and the adventure of reading to and with children have always been close to her heart. She is also involved in a literacy programme in Ocean View.

“Exploring books together must be fun, playful, and engaging. The children should always want more,’’ she said.

The world marked International Literacy Day on September 8 to observe the importance of literacy as a human right and a key driver for creating sustainable societies.

The copies of Ms van Belle's book are available for R130, and orders may be placed via email through carolynmcgibbon@gmail.com.