I AM FIRE: A story from South Africa

What is the story of the earth?

The sun, the tree, the birds, the air and me are all connected.

We look after the earth and it looks after us.

We are earth.

In this exciting new children's addition to the series, Thembinkosi Kohli's illustrations encourage young readers to connect with themselves and with the world in which they live. The bright and cheerful images, which are accompanied by short bursts of text, explain in an easy-to-understand visual language, not only our connection to the earth as human beings but its importance in our everyday lives. This story is a great read for the whole family, especially children aged between 4- 6 years old.

"The text and colorful illustrations of the two books, presented in English and in Afrikaans, are eye-catching and suitable for the probably intended group of readers. There can also be an underlying or superimposed text in the child's head as a character. That text, in which newsprint is used, is about the economy and is in Afrikaans, which create an extra layer of meaning that does not contribute meaningfully to the themes of air or fire." ~ Review by Betsie van der Westhuizen for the IBBY Honour List 2024

"Story reflects on fire and its use in society, supported by powerful illustrations. At the end, the use and existence of fire is transitioned into the person's existence. This may be a leap for young people, and require discussion." ~ Review by Marj Brown for the IBBY Honour list 2024