The document proposes a project to research and rewrite ancient southern African stories about the night sky for children to inspire interest and preserve indigenous knowledge. It emphasizes accessibility in language and style, aiming to make the stories lively and engaging through colorful illustrations. The project acknowledges challenges such as copyright and costs, but highlights the rewards of pleasure and pride in sharing these cultural narratives.

2. the idea
1998

3. 2003
2004

5. the
proposal
•what?
•why?
•who is it for?
what?
To research, collect and re-write
ancient stories about the night sky
that originated in Southern Africa
for young children

6. why?
•preserve for future &
introduce to a new
generation
•inspire interest
•indigenous & current
knowledge
who is it
for?
•children “of all ages”

7. think about?
•languages - diversity
•writing style – accessible, lively,
direct speech
•length of stories
•style of illustration – colourful,
magical, mythical
•credibility

8. is it new?

10. writing for
children?

11. finding the
stories

12. “An audience is required, an air of stillness and
expectation is needed, imagination is
mandatory. Only then can one hear the faint
voices of Xhosa, Zulu, Khoisan or Basotho as
they tell us why the sky is the way it is.
Take these stories then as dry bones; they are
the early written accounts. Enliven them,
restore animation and the joy of a story. Then
the listener will come to know something of
the peoples of southern Africa, and he will
learn anew to love the stars.”
Anne Pritchard,
A Collection of Sky lore from the Southern African Traditions
Georgia Dept of Education
September 1993

18. expert authors
Thebe Medupe Maritha Snyman Bheki Ntuli Danisile Ntuli
editor Kim de Boer
illustrators?
•suitability
•affordability
•availability

22. test
illustration
Tamsin Hinrichsen
(illustrator)

24. design
Loretta Steyn
(designer)

26. process
•discussing & briefing
•writing & re-writing
•editing
•pre-testing
•proofreading
more editing …

27. Challenges
•context
•copyright
•costs
Rewards
•pleasure
•passion
•pride