How does the sea snake swim? What is a 'hinged' tortoise? Who cleans a crocodile's teeth? Do toads cause warts? How do some frogs survive the dry season?

Children will find the answers to these questions – and many other interesting facts – while enjoying hours of fun colouring in a selection of our most striking reptiles and amphibians (frogs and toads).

There are more than 40 to colour in, each providing budding artists and inquisitive children with a snippet of knowledge as they work through the book. In the middle of the book is a gallery of all the featured creatures, but this time in colour, giving a clear guide as to which shade of crayon or paint to use when colouring in the outlined images throughout the book.

Greater southern Africa has a wealth of mammal species, almost 400 – all of which are covered in this fully updated, comprehensive field guide.

Now expanded to include species found in Angola, Zambia and Malawi, it has also been extensively revised to include: the most recent research and taxonomy, revised distribution maps and many new images, colour-coded grouping of families, spoor and size icons, skull photographs, grouped for easy comparison, detailed descriptions of each species, offering insight into key identification characters, typical behaviour, preferred habitat, food choice, reproduction and longevity.

Die boekie stel die leser bekend aan die vaardighede en metodes wat nodig is om diere se spore in die veld te herken, en dit bevat 48 spesies met verspreidings kaarte en foto's. Die dier word beskryf en daar word gekyk na habitat, spoor en gewoontes.

Sasol First Field Guide to Birds of Prey of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the birdlife of the region. With the help of full-colour photo graphs and distribution maps, and easy-to-read text, the young adult and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common birds of prey in southern Africa, discover where they live, and learn about their unique feeding and nesting habits.

Under dark under branches, Joan Metelerkamp’s tenth collection, continues the explorations of her recent book-length poems, opening out to five generations of family history and to the wider context of national history.

The assured music of the writing carries dialogues, lyrical passages, and fragments of narrative. Five years after leaving South Africa, the poet mourns the torn-out roots of her life – her community, environment and ancestors left behind in a country no longer her home.

Poems of displacement, interactions in a variety of social landscapes, in temporary homes that offer respite and change, and which find solace in the natural world.

Following the success of My first book of Southern African Birds, volume 2 introduces a further 58 fascinating birds found at the seashore, rivers and lakes, in grasslands and forests, and also in suburban gardens. Striking full-colour illustrations are accompanied by brief descriptions in four languages, and there are visual clues to diet, nest, footprint and each bird’s relative size. This book will appeal to southern Africa's younger readers and inspire an interest in birds and the natural world.

Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot Insekte van Suider-Afrika bied ’n fassinerende blik op die insekte van die streek. Met behulp van volkleurfoto’s en maklik leesbare teks, sal die beginner en ontluikende natuurliefhebber die meer algemene insekgroepe in Suider-Afrika kan identifiseer, kan vasstel waar hulle voorkom, en meer te wete kom oor hul gedrag en ongewone eienskappe.

"Bring water, bring words, the yeast of your life - let's make a poem."

These lines from 'Treasure' capture the communal energy with which Kirsten Garbini rides into the world on the flexive and colourful back of her debut poetry collection, Horses and Oranges. This vibrant anthology is a treasure trove of quotable lines, alternately hilarious, biting, and poignant, all filled with a creative zest for life.

These poems navigate the complexities and celebrate the triumphs of contemporary womanhood. She tracks both unusual and ordinary moments, offering keen observations on love, identity, and the everyday magic of existence. Throughout, the author's wit, playfulness, and warm intelligence shine through.

Truly a book for Everywoman.

The first guide ever to document and explore the diverse parks and reserves of Africa’s ‘middle belt’, it covers Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.

The region contains prized spots such as the world-famous landscapes of the Namib and Kalahari deserts, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls and Lake Malawi, and some of Africa’s best-known conservation areas, including Etosha, Chobe, Mana Pools, Hwange, Kafue and Nyika.

Written by two prominent conservationists, the book is organised by country, and includes:

• Detailed descriptions of the history, geology, climate, vegetation and wildlife of some 50 conservation areas
• Annotated park maps, indicating places of interest and best sites to view key species
• Text panels featuring each park’s highlights, facilities and activities, wildlife facts, and important alerts
• A concise photographic gallery of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and trees, for quick identification of commonly seen species

A must-have guide to the parks and reserves of a region renowned for spectacular landscapes, fauna and flora.

Hierdie vierde, hersiene uitgawe van die gewilde naslaanbron vir liefhebbers van Afrikaanse blokraaisels, Moeggesoek is nou getiteld Pharos Blokraai­antwoorde. Die nuwe uitgawe is volledig herbewerk, en nuwe subkategorieë is ingesluit. Oplossings vir duisende internasionale en plaaslike feite is alfabeties volgens sewe temas gerangskik: Algemene kennis, Bybelkennis, geografie, die kunste, politiek, sport en skoonhede.

Die gids is in 'n handige formaat en gebruikersvriendelik, wat daartoe bydra om maklik daardie ontwykende antwoorde op die leidrade in jou Afrikaanse blokraaisel te vind. So, as jy die naam van 'n vulkaan in Antartika wil weet, of dalk die naam van ’n sanger wat deel was van die Beatles, die vorige staatshoof van Viëtnam of die naam van een van die maangode, het jy die Pharos Blokraai­antwoorde nodig.

Eerste Veldgids tot Gesteentes & Minerale, die jongste toevoeging tot die gewilde Struik Nature-reeks, stel die belangrikste en interessantste gesteentes en minerale van ons geologies opwindende streek bekend.

Die gids beskryf 30 minerale en 18 belangrike soorte gesteentes, met die klem op dié wat die bekendste of algemeenste is. ’n Kort inleiding gee ’n oorsig van die onderwerp; kleurryke foto’s van die gesteentes en minerale sowel as van die besondere terrein waarin hulle voorkom, vul die helder teks deurgaans aan en help met uitkenning in die veld.

Eerste Veldgids tot Gesteentes & Minerale is ’n nuttige hulpmiddel vir die aspirant-geoloog, weetgierige amateur, of enigeen met ’n ontluikende belangstelling in Suider-Afrika se unieke geologiese erfenis.

First Field Guide to Rocks & Minerals, the latest addition to the popular Struik Nature series, introduces the most important and interesting rocks and minerals from our geologically exciting region.

The guide details 30 minerals and 18 major rock types, focusing on those that are best known or most commonly found. A short introduction provides an overview of the topic; colourful photographs throughout, both of the rocks and minerals and of the particular terrain in which they are found, complement the clear text and aid identification in the field.

First Field Guide to Rocks & Minerals is a useful resource for the beginner geologist, curious novice, or anyone with a budding interest in southern Africa's unique geological heritage.

This First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa will help those with an interest in interpreting animal tracks to indentify the animals that have passed through an area.

Full-colour photographs and easy-to-read text will enable the beginner and budding naturalist to decipher the more common tracks encountered in southern Africa, learn about the unique features of each spoor and discover more about the animals that leave the spoor.

Snakes, lizards and tortoises are fascinating creatures, particularly to inquisitive young minds. This book introduces 56 reptiles found in southern Africa and gives visual information about their size, the food they eat and where you are likely to find them. Simple text, written by a reptile expert, offers brief insight into behaviour and habits. My First Book of Southern African Snakes and other Reptiles is designed to appeal to young readers and pre-readers but will also help learners of all ages to improve their knowledge of local languages.

Fully revised, Birds of Africa south of the Sahara provides unrivalled coverage of African birds in a single volume, and is the first book to describe and illustrate all of the birds found in Africa south of the Sahara Desert (the Afrotropic Region), including Socotra, Pemba and islands in the Gulf of Guinea.

Despite its exceptional coverage, this guide is compact enough to use in the field, and follows the standard field guide format, with texts and range maps appearing opposite the colour plates.

My first book of Southern African Animal Tracks introduces 55 different types of animals and the footprints they leave behind.

The animals and birds included are those that you are likely to find on visits to nature reserves or game parks – or even in gardens.

For each species featured, the book gives:

- Life-sized track ‘imprints’

- A full-colour illustration of the animal and a visual size comparison with a human body, arm or hand

- A short description in four languages of each creature and its prints.

This introduction to the intriguing world of tracking will keep children happily absorbed for hours at home or on trips to view wildlife. The text in four languages expands the readership and promotes multilingualism.

An authoritative antidote to the myths surrounding these often maligned and misunderstood creatures.

Among the world’s most fascinating living fossils, scorpions have been around for some 420 million years. South Africa is home to an astonishing variety, with 108 species in three families occurring in most of the region’s biomes, from desert and grassland to fynbos, savanna and forest. Scorpions are even found in urban gardens.

Field Guide to Scorpions of South Africa is the first comprehensive guide to describe and illustrate all known species in the country. The clear, detailed species accounts cover appearance, habitat and behaviour, and discuss the variation within species according to region. Up-to-date distribution maps are included for all species and exceptional photographs, carefully worked to show astounding detail and vivid colours, bring to life the intricate patterning and colours of different species. Both males and females are presented, as well as a variety of colour forms, facilitating accurate identification in the field.

The introduction discusses scorpion classification, anatomy, biology, behaviour and habitat, as well as venomosity and the treatment of stings. Tips on how and where to find scorpions and how to contribute to their conservation as a citizen scientist are also included.

An invaluable tool for students, researchers, academics, hikers and anyone with an interest in South Africa’s rich and fascinating fauna.

Children are fascinated by ‘bugs’ of all kinds, and insects are a familiar part of their everyday environment.

Dragonflies and ants, beetles and stick insects, butterflies and bees are just some of the many insects that are found in the home and garden, providing youngsters with a handy introduction to the natural world.

This book presents:

• 58 of the most common, intriguing and beautiful species accurately illustrated in full-colour

• concise text and simple graphics conveying the insect’s size, when it is active and what it eats

• straightforward text for children beginning to read in their mother tongue

• parallel texts in Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu for older learners who wish to improve their knowledge of other languages.

• Vivid and scientifically accurate illustrations in full colour

• Clearly and concisely written for children who are starting to read, but also suitable for adults to read to young children

• Additional information given in easy visual clues

Sasol First Field Guide to Skywatching in Southern Africa is a fascinating insight into the southern skies by night. Full-colour photo graphs and illustrations, monthly star charts and easy-to-read text will help the budding astronomer to identify the more visible objects in our night skies, as well as those that are less obvious, and discover some of the extraordinary phenomena of our galaxy.

Through the eye of a needle is the auhtor's debut collection of poems reflecting a highly eclectic mix of styles with idiomatic interplay of English and African languages. Spanning fifteen years, the poems reflect different developmental and stylistic patterns drawn from various influences of the South African experience. Each poem resonates with a distinct voice commenting on the poet's educational development and political awareness from the 1970s to present-day democratic South Africa.

Fully revised, the new edition of Steve Woodhall’s lavishly illustrated Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa features all of South Africa’s 671 butterfly species. This popular field guide now includes 8 new species, two new African Plain Tiger subspecies and incorporates the most recent taxonomic changes based on DNA studies.

As with the first edition, the photography is exceptional and 70% of the images in the book are new. An invaluable aid to identification, they show male and female forms (where they differ) and upper- and undersides (where possible). The species accounts have been comprehensively updated and expanded, covering identification, habits, flight periods, broods, typical habitat, distribution and larval food sources. A helpful introductory section with over 100 images, including 55 early stages images compared to 32 in the first edition discusses butterfly biology, taxonomy, classification, anatomy and behaviour.

Other features include:

• Colour-coded sections at subfamily level for ease of use
• A quick reference to butterfly groups on the inside front
• Updated distribution maps for all species entries

Anyone with an interest in the natural world, from lepidopterists and entomologists (both amateur and professional) to students, gardeners and tourists, will appreciate this beautiful and invaluable guide.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the smash-hit 50 People Who Stuffed Up South Africa, the original 50 People team brings you an all-new sequel: 50 People Who F***ed Up South Africa: The Lost Decade.

As witty, enlightening and entertaining as all the franchise books, this Christmas compendium is an eye-watering indictment of our tragicomic “last lost decade”, a time of ruinous and unprecedented national decline. Whereas it took more than 350 years to come up with the list of shame for the first book, they needed just ten more for the next 50 names, from Shaun Abrahams to Zuma, Zuma and Zuma. Shot through with the architects and beneficiaries of state capture – Magashula, Mahlobo, Mahumapelo, and not forgetting the Guptas – it is also features crisp takedowns of the individuals who represent the standout scandals in this time: the like of Nkandla, Marikana, Life Esidimeni, Steinhoff, Bosasa and VBS Mutual Bank.

The end result is a readable, accessible overview of the South Africa’s recent political and socioeconomic landscape. Because sometimes humour and a clearly painted picture really is the best coping mechanism…

What would life be like without our Daily Maverick dose of Zapiro? Where would we be without the illumination, the spicy crispy wit, the cutting, the clever, the way of showing us our politicians and life in South Africa with a dose of humour and more than a dash of satire?

Zapiro's annual offering is our duplicity warning, our canary in the coalmine, our national conscience. Exposing and revealing, brilliantly appealing, Zapiro does it again!