Imagnary House is a boutique publisher and bookstore of creative children's and young adult fiction and non-fiction in South Africa.
Founded in July 2015 by Brad Harris, who built the premise of Imagnary House on the back of his experience working with traditional publishers and self-publishing agents. Brad noticed a hole left in Africa for children's and YA literature and so he focused his own literary passion towards this end and Imagnary House was born.
He hopes to one day make the children's books available in every part of our beautiful country. Imagnary house believes that enjoying the ability to read is the right of a child from all languages, areas, cultures, and backgrounds.
“We believe that beautiful books, made of imaginative illustrations and meaningful stories, become collectables. They are a legacy of childhood to be passed onto our children, and to their children. The touch of a book, the feel and smell of the paper, being able to interact with each page is something that ignites the imagination and stays with the child forever, creating a lifelong love for imaginative story.” — Bradley Harris
We were gifted with 6 beautiful books from Imagnary House and I have written a little review on each below.
The Chalk Giraffe
For children 2 and over.This book is beautifully illustrated and the bright colours jump at you with the chalkboard background. This book is about an artisictice child who draws a gifraffe with chalk, the drawing comes to life and the Giraffe makes all sorts of demands about changing the current landscape. This story encapsulates an entertaining story about creativity and friendship.
What on Earth am I?
This book is suitable for ages 2 an over.
This book explores complex topics, like identity, diversity, and existentialism for kids. It is a beautiful picture book with bright colours for children who are inquisitive about the world and relates unique characteristics.
The book is about a child’s wild imagination which results in confusion about what kind of creature they are.
The Brave Turtle
For children aged 2 and over.
Imagine rolling out of bed and splashing into water only to discover that the entire world is flooding outstide. Sam is a confused girl who is rescued by a little turtle Confused and cold, Sam is rescued by a wise, little turtle called Neville. He takes her along the beautiful underwater highway, teaching her the ways of this watery world. At times, things look challenging and difficult, but the brave turtle reminds Sam (and the reader) that the best way to approach the situation is remain calm and collected.
Liefie
For ages 2 and over.
What a beautiful picture book. A family of otters welcome a surprise new child to the family, a laat-lammetjie.
This is an hear warming and some what humourous story about a family who are welcoming a new addition to the family.
The New Girl Code: Launch of a Fashion App
For children aged 9 and over.
This book I am definitely passing to my niece in 2 years when she turns 9.
This story is about a 15 yeard old fashionista living in Rondebosch. An eye opener to the good and nasty of technology. A story about girl teen “life or death” issues like French kissing, what the future holds and how to put together a really cool outfit.
She discovers the magic of coding and creates a new mobile app that goes viral and makes her and her friends famous. But along with fame comes the risks along with teenage bullying and nastiness.
A Viking Legend: The Violaceous Amethyst
For ages 11 and over.
Siblings Ruairi and Dani Miller visit their grandmother in the legendary Viking island of Yondersaay. Ruairi is mistaken for the lost royalty Boy King of Denmark and kidnapped by the Vikings and scheduled to be sacrificed by Sundown…
A book about adventure, villains, treachery, buried treasure and true love. A gripping story to keep any pre-teen enthralled as to what will be happening next.
To win yourself a set of 6 books, simply comment on my Instragram post the answer to this question:
Which book would you love to read the most and why?
xxxZ