Multilingual supplementsBrowse our archive of Nal'ibali reading-for-enjoyment supplements available in eight language combinations.
Reading and telling stories can be two of the most satisfying activities for children, especially if they are stuck inside to keep safe, or because it is raining or they are sick. The magic of books and stories will let them go on adventures and visit different places without leaving home. Reading to our children shows them that reading can be enjoyable and entertaining. This motivates them to read more and more. And this is how they develop a lifelong relationship with books and reading!
Every day, people reach out to others to bring about positive change. A small act of kindness and love – like taking the time to read to someone or tell them a story – can make a big difference in their life. Stories allow us to make sense of our own lives and to connect with family and friends. Sharing stories helps children to do more than just learn to read; it builds a sense of belonging to their families and communities and also helps them understand others.
As adults we know that being able to share is an important life skill, and part of this is learning to take turns with others. When you regularly spend time reading with your children, not only do you develop them as readers, you also have an excellent opportunity to show them how to share and take turns. Taking turns helps you to create a partnership with your children around books. It means that you can share the power to make decisions about what you will read and how to spend your reading times. And so, exploring books becomes something you really do together!
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, children have not been able to go the library and reading clubs and have been away from school for a long period of time. To support you as you do your best to keep your family safe, Nal’ibali has put together this special edition of our supplement to help you with ideas on how your children can continue reading and writing for enjoyment at home. Some activities can be enjoyed by the whole family, while others have been divided into age groups to give you age-appropriate ideas.
Afrikaans/English: PDF
Sepedi/ English: PDF
Siswati/English: PDF
Sesotho/ English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
Setswana/ English: PDF
isiXhosa/English: PDF
isiZulu/English: PDF
Have you thought how stories can offer a way of supporting children through some of life’s challenges? There are many wonderful stories about the challenging situations and events that children may face, such as starting school, separation, illness, the death of a loved one, divorce, prejudice, and bullying.
Afrikaans/English: PDF
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Celebrates storytelling of all kinds – stories read aloud from books, stories that are told, as well as stories acted on stages, in movies and in puppet shows.
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isiXhosa/English: PDF
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There are three special days that fall on the 14th of February each year as well as celebrate love. The days are as follows: International Book Giving Day, Valentine’s Day and Library Lovers’ Day. Here is more information on each of these special days, as well as some creative ideas for celebrating them!
Afrikaans/English: PDF
Sepedi/ English: PDF
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Setswana/ English: PDF
isiXhosa/English: PDF
isiZulu/English: PDF
At Nal’ibali we are often asked for reading advice. There are some questions that people have asked us often over the years. So, we thought we would share the five most frequently asked questions with you – as well as our responses to them. Celebrate the power of stories and reading throughout the year!
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
Afrikaans/English: PDF
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Since 2013, Nal’ibali has been bringing you a special story to celebrate World Read Aloud Day. Last year, the story was read to 1 162 879 children on one day! This year’s story, A day to remember, features some of our much-loved Nal’ibali characters.
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
Afrikaans/English: PDF
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November is International Picture Book Month! It’s a time to celebrate those special books with wonderful stories and beautiful pictures that we all love so much. Picture books are meant to be read aloud, so this makes them the perfect reading resource for sharing stories with children.
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
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Books don’t just have words and pictures in them. They are filled with adventure – new places to go and new people to meet!
One way you and your children can travel to new places every day is through reading stories together.
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
Afrikaans/English: PDF
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One way to bring stories to life at your reading club, is to turn stories into plays! You can either work
on one story, altogether, or divide the children into smaller groups to work on different stories. Follow
the steps below and have fun!
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
Afrikaans/English: PDF
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Every family has stories to tell! Some of these stories might be ones that were told to you as a child.
The stories of our families are as unique as the people in our family! These stories are part of each family’s history
and they help children understand where they come from and who they are.
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
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South Africa is celebrating National Book Week from2 to 8 September 2019 and, together with the rest of the world,
commemorates International Literacy Day on 8 September.
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
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IsiZulu/English: PDF
Making time in a busy day to read to children, is an investment in their future, no matter what their age.
These pleasurable times not only show children that you enjoy their company and care about them,
but they build lifelong good memories of books and reading too!
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
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In South Africa during August, we honour the role that women have played and still play in building democracy in our country. Here are some reading, writing and drawing activity ideas that you can use to create opportunities for children to think about the influence women have on their lives. Choose the ones that are best suited to your children’s ages and interests.
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
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IsiZulu/English: PDF
Reading stories to children is a great bonding as well as educational activity. But did you know that there are other simple things you can do that help increase what children learn from the stories you share with them?
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
Afrikaans/English: PDF
Sesotho/English: PDF
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IsiZulu/English: PDF
Getting young children into the habit of reading is sometimes easier than keeping them reading as they get older! So, what can you do to make sure that your children keep reading throughout their childhood and into their teenage years? Here are some ideas.
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
Afrikaans/English: PDF
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Sepedi/English: PDF
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IsiZulu/English: PDF
The month of May is filled with special opportunities for children to use reading and writing in meaningful and fun ways! Here are some ideas for the different celebrations this month. Rather than trying to do all of them, choose one or two that you think will most interest your children.
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
Afrikaans/English: PDF
Sesotho/English: PDF
Sepedi/English: PDF
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Have you ever wondered why people say that it is important to read to children who are not yet at school? Well, because it will expand their minds and make their hearts sing! Read with your 3 to 6 year olds regularly and you will witness just how much they learn and what they can do with books! Here are some ideas for sharing books with them. Each year on World Read Aloud Day, Nal’ibali reminds everyone who lives in South Africa about the benefits of reading aloud to children.
IsiXhosa/English: PDF
Xitsonga/English: PDF
Afrikaans/English: PDF
Sesotho/English: PDF
Sepedi/English: PDF
Setswana/English: PDF
IsiZulu/English: PDF