Puppet show at 25 libraries in Cape Town

The SALI Trust partnered with literacy NGO Read to Rise to conduct the OAKY Puppet Show at 25 public libraries in Cape Town during school holidays in 2023. The aim was to get children excited about books and reading at libraries. The puppet show is based on the book Oaky and the Happy Tree written by South African poet Athol Williams. The story is about Oaky the tree and his friends the zebra, blue bird and sun. The story teaches children about the secret to being happy. The children (and parents) thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling session and puppet show. The following libraries were visited: Bridgetown Public Library, Athlone Public Library, Lotus River Public Library, Southfield Public Library, Wynberg Public Library, Meadowridge Public Library, Ravensmead Public Library, Fish Hoek Public Library, Leonsdale Public Library, Elsies River Public Library, Delft Public Library , Huguenot Square - Belhar Public Library, Ocean View Public Library, Botasig Library, Milnerton Library, Scottsdene Library, Eikendal Library, Kuils River Library, Strand Library, Brooklyn Library, PD Paulse Library, Kensington Factreton Library, Woodstock Library, Kensington Library and Bellville South Public Library. The SALI Trust sponsored a set of 11 OAKY books for each of the 25 libraries so that children can borrow the books. There are currently 8 English books in the Oaky Series with one translated into Afrikaans, isiXhosa and Sepedi. Each story has a positive life lesson and is suitable for children aged 6-9 years old. In addition 1,400 bookmarks were sponsored so that every child would receive a bookmark to take home. “As the staff at Huguenot Square Library, we would like to thank you so much for choosing Huguenot Square Library and blessing our community. The kids absolutely enjoyed the story and the show as it was relatable and funny. We had a total of 82 attendees for the show, including parents and even they were entertained. We are so excited that the Oaky Books will be part of our collection as I am certain that the kids will be drawn to it. Once again, thank you so much to Read to Rise and the SALI Trust for sponsoring this event.” says Amy Victor, Librarian: Huguenot Square Library. Read to Rise is a non-profit organisation, founded in 2013, that promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities in South Africa. The organisation conducts class programmes and puppet shows at schools and libraries, places mini-libraries in classrooms and hosts the annual Cape Flats Book Festival. “We are grateful to sponsors like The SALI Trust so that Read to Rise can inspire more children to read.” says Read to Rise Programme Manager, Roscoe Williams. For more information, to buy Oaky books or to sponsor programmes, please visit www.readtorise.org or email info@readtorise.co.za