How do Corn crickets produce their high-pitched sounds? Which insect has a forked horn on the front of its head? Where does the small scarlet dragonfly scatter its eggs? Which bug is named after a famous artist?

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 insects.

There are more than 40 images to colour in, providing budding artists and young children with enticing snippets of knowledge as they work through the title. In the middle of the title is a gallery of the insects, but this time in colour, giving a clear guide as to which shade of crayon or paint to use when colouring in the outlines on the other pages.

Confluence tells the uplifting non-fiction story of the Duzi canoe marathon partnership of Piers Cruickshanks, a seasoned paddler who had won multiple gold medals in the Duzi, with Siseko Ntondini, a paddler who had come up through the ranks of the Soweto Canoe Club, whose dream was to win a gold medal in the Duzi.

The two men agree to paddle together and start training towards their gold-medal goal, but in order to get to even the start line, they need to overcome cultural and physical challenges to create a winning combination.

Timed to be released at the same time as Beyond The River, a movie based loosely on their story, this is a book that will have wide-ranging, feel-good appeal.

ky Guide Africa South 2018 is a practical resource for all astronomers, whether they be novice, amateur or professional. It covers the upcoming year’s planetary movements, predicted eclipses, meteor showers – any events and facets of the night sky that change annually.

Star charts plot the evening sky for each season, facilitating the identification of stars and constellations. The guide contains a wealth of information about the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, meteors and bright stars, with photos, diagrams, charts and images. There’s also an excellent list of useful websites and a comprehensive glossary.

Struik Nature again joins forces with the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa to publish this annual guide. Now in its 72nd year of publication, the book is prepared by a team of contributors, all specialists in their fields.

Originally published in 1994, A Field Guide to Tracks and Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife quickly became the standard reference to the subject in the region, reprinting many times. This new edition provides the most detailed coverage of tracks, droppings, bird pellets, nests and shelters and feeding signs, not only for mammals, but also for birds, reptiles, insects and other invertebrates. Greatly expanded, this extensive update now features: full colour throughout.

The book presents 50 of the most recognizable and geologically interesting sites around South Africa, including some of palaeontological or historical renown and some of mining interest. The diverse selection includes sites such as Chapman’s Peak, Howick Falls, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Mapungubwe, Tswaing Meteorite Crater and the Fraserburg Fossil Surface.

Each site is unpacked to reveal:

- key features

- geological heritage

- landscape and rock formations

- topics of local or historical interest

- things to see and do at the site and in the surrounding area.

Maps and GPS pointers make the sites easy to find, and some of the more complicated features are explained by means of simplified diagrams.

Nearly 1,000 colour images illustrate South Africa’s remarkable geology and bring the topic vividly to life, making the book suitable for armchair travel too.

Freshwater life – the first illustrated field guide of its kind for the wider southern African region – describes a vast range of plant and animal groups in a single volume.

A ground-breaking concept that encompasses diverse groups from the large and conspicuous vertebrates to the diverse microscopic taxa, the book facilitates identifi cation and describes the ecology of more than 1,000 freshwater organisms.

Species have been selected on the basis of how likely they are to be encountered, and each account is accompanied by photographs and a distribution map. A comprehensive introduction details the ecology and signifi cance of freshwater systems. This indispensible, easy-to-use guide will prove invaluable to outdoor enthusiasts, students and conservationists.

Fully updated and expanded, this third edition of the top-selling Field Guide to Common Trees & Shrubs of East Africa now features more than 520 of the trees and shrubs – indigenous and naturalized exotics – commonly found in the region.

Each of the four sections – trees, shrubs, palms and mangroves – is arranged in alphabetical order according to scientifi c name. The book features:

• An informative introduction to families.

• Species accounts describing the plants’ habitat, bark, leaves, fl owers and fruit.

• General and commercial applications and uses in traditional medicine.

• Almost 2,000 photographs depicting the species, its fruit, fl owers and bark.

• Glossaries, both textual and illustrated, of botanical and medical terms.

Tendai Mtawarira is known throughout the rugby world simply as Beast. Or, more often than not, ‘Beeeaaassssttt!’, as crowds from Durban to London, Buenos Aires to Auckland cry whenever he gets the ball. In 2018 he became the most capped prop in Springbok history, earning his 100th Test cap for the Springboks, and in 2019 he became the most capped Super Rugby player in South Africa.

Due to play in his third World Cup in September 2019, Beast has been in a winning series against the British and Irish Lions, contested two Super Rugby finals and won three Currie Cups with his beloved Sharks. Along the way, he has been moved from back row to front row, bullied by xenophobic politicians and undergone three bouts of heart surgery.

Beast is the story of how a humble man from Zimbabwe has become a rugby icon.

For fly-fishermen everywhere, the news of an upcoming book from Tom Sutcliffe is as exciting as a ten-pound wild rainbow on a 4X tippet… Yet More Sweet Days certainly lives up to the weight of expectation from his many fans, locally and internationally.

It races upstream in leaps and bounds, taking you to places you’ve always wanted to fish: you’ll wade the high mountain rivers of the Eastern Cape, clamber along the boulder-strewn crystal streams of the Western Cape, throw a dainty dry on hallowed English chalkstreams, and fight fresh-run salmon in rugged Iceland with a volcano belching ash behind your casting shoulder.

You’ll pick up tips and ideas (almost without realising it) from a master trout fisherman who has done more for the beautiful sport in South Africa than anyone, ever. Along the way you’ll soak yourself warmly in a philosophy that embraces fish and birds, people and animals – a philosophy honed by thousands of kilometres of stalking up streams and countless cups of coffee brewed on a stove perched on the tailgate of his fishing truck.

Complemented by many original artworks from the author, this beautiful book is at once a rumination, a reflection and a profound escape for fly fishermen everywhere; when you’re not actually casting at trout, this is the next best thing. [credit: Paul Curtis]

Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot die Paddas van Suider-Afrika is ’n interessante gids tot die paddas van die streek. Volkleurfoto’s, verspreidingskaarte en verstaanbare teks sal nuwelinge en aspirantnatuurkenners help om die algemeenste paddaspesies in Suider-Afrika uit te ken, te ontdek waar hulle voorkom en te leer van hul unieke gedrag en buitengewone eienskappe.

Anneli Drummond-Hay's autobiography is a fascinating insight into the making of an equestrian champion through her struggle for survival.

It is a heart-warming story of a war baby with aristocratic connections, who grew up with very little money and even less love. She never went to school, she had no friends growing up, but she did have a gift with the horses in which she sought solace.

The big love story of her life was one particularly special horse, Merely-AMonarch. He was invincible in eventing, but as female eventers were not permitted to compete in the Olympics in that era, Anneli switched to show jumping. She came so close to going to three Olympics but was foiled at the last moment each time, despite winning just about everything else in the sport.

Besides her wonderful horses, Anneli gives an amazing account of the people she met - from Harvey Smith to the Queen, in front of whom she was asked to lend her horse for the British Olympic effort, and refused; to her asking a favour, in person, of Colonel Gaddafi.

The jet-set life of an elite show jumper may be glamorous but there are more lows than highs, whether it's her top ride being stolen, a potential plane disaster above the Alps, or the sudden death of a star horse.

As The Princess Royal so rightly says in the foreword to this book: 'Thank goodness Anneli decided to write her story.'

Die vierde boek in ‘n reeks. Al die boeke is met intensiteit baie fyn geskryf, Christof neem die leser op vlerke, elkeen het ‘n besonderse boodskap betreffende die natuur wat uitgedra word, dit gaan oor skryfkuns, vertelkuns wat jou vasvang, nie net oor die spesifieke reise wat gekies is nie, maar veral hoé dit beskryf is. Ervaar die passie waarmee dit geskryf is, met balans die natuurlewe uitbeeld soos dit daar gebeur, die unieke manier hoe die tonele en prentjies in die reisjoernaal die gebeure in Afrikaans vasvat, ook in die ruskampe, hoe die woorde ingespan word.

In die natuur gebeur daar nooit niks nie, al is daar byvoorbeeld nie ‘n leeujag nie, Christof en sy vrou volg die gebeure soos dit daar in die natuur met hul besoeke gebeur, die leser sien nie net die prentjies en tonele, wat beskryf word, hoor die geluide van die bos nie, maar ervaar dit asof hy/sy daar mét hulle is, jy ruik dit, proe dit, jy kan daaraan vat.

Die natuurlewe het sy eie ritme en bekoring, nét soos musiek, met elke lewende wese wat, in die omgewing waarin hulle moet oorleef, die sintuie en vaardighede wat aan hulle, eie aan hul soort, toegedeel is, ook teen die elemente inspan om hul spesie se voortbestaan te verseker.

Dit is soos dit in die Op Vlerke boeke geskilder word, met eie ritme, die note hou, om uiting aan elkeen se oorlewingsmeganisme te gee. Die manier van uitdrukking gee, diere, voëls beskryf, hier en daar ‘n insek, wat hulle doen, hoé, interaksie, beweging, gevoel, klanke, wat jou vasvang, die omgewing, plantegroei, die veld lewe gee, water, die terrein, dít is waaroor die boeke gaan, die skryfkuns met spesifiek die natuurlewe, waarin mens die skryfstyl kan uitleef wat met elke sintuig van jou praat.

This compact, easy-to-use guide features more than 350 of the most conspicuous and commonly seen birds in Namibia.

Pocket Guide Birds of Namibia offers:

- Concise identification text

- Full-colour photographs of all species covered

- Up-to-date distribution maps

- An informative introduction featuring the ‘specials’ of the key birding destinations in Namibia.

An ideal introduction and travelling companion for birders in or visiting the region.

In this fully revised edition of A Guide to Dragonfl ies & Damselfl ies of South Africa, all164 species known to occur in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland are described and illustrated, grouped according to family (six dragonfl y and six damselfl y families). The species entries feature scans of live insects (close-up and side-view images) and photographs of specimens in their natural environment and showing key behaviours. Detailed descriptions focus on size, identifying features and occurrence. An introductory chapter unpacks the life cycle, behaviour, biology and breeding of this fascinating group of insects. Presented in a classic field guide format, this revised edition now also features:

- Expanded annotations to all illustrations, highlighting diagnostic features to ensure accurate identifi cation

- New distribution maps

- Additional colour plates and photographs

Beautifully presented, informative and authoritative, this book will appeal to anyone with an interest in South Africa’s insect life, and to nature lovers in general.

Bestselling artist and writer Hazel Soan has distilled her art teaching into the things that matter most and can be digested in a short period of time - in just one afternoon you can start painting. Learning to paint is one of the life-long aspirations of many of us, and these techniques can be picked up faster than you think.Hazel Soan's concise book, filled with easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step exercises, is written in an accessible way for those completely new to painting. Chapters include: Getting Started (the materials you will need and those you can ignore in the art shop); Choice of Colours; Mixing Colours; What's the Subject?; What Surfaces to Paint on; Basic Painting Techniques; Brushstrokes and Composition (with details on how to design paintings with horizon, focus and balance, a hint of perspective and the light and shade of a subject).Packed with illustrations for guidance, this is the most comprehensive guide to learning watercolour very quickly.

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…

A practical guide to learn painting individual people and crowds, with simple exercises and step-by-step demonstrations.Bestselling artist and writer Hazel Soan has distilled her art teaching into the things that matter most and can be digested in a short period of time. Learning to paint is one of the life-long aspirations of many of us and the techniques of painting lively crowd scenes or portraits of loved ones can be picked up faster than you think.In this concise book, Hazel Soan explains everything you need to know about figurative painting in an accessible way. She advises on how to paint people in a variety of poses and settings, dealing with the theories of colour and light in a way that beginners will understand and more experienced painters will find invaluable. She also guides you through ways to insert people into your pre-existing painting to bring them to life; scenes like urban streets and on the beach are explored. Subjects like how to paint portraits and getting to grips with body proportion and perspective are also covered. Both media of watercolours and oils are covered, making this the perfect book for any type of artist.Filled with easy-to-follow exercises and demonstrations, this is a practical and helpful guide to learning to paint people very quickly.

Add a twist of humour to South African nostalgia with Hagen Engler's latest offering. Black Twitter, Blitz And A Boerie As Long As Your Leg is a light-hearted, humorous read of multiple entries that can be dipped into at will. Optimistic, topical and definitely tongue-in-cheek, this book could easily be that last-minute gift that you pick up at the airport before you head back to the parental home for the holidays. Not too politically edgy - so as not to offend any sensitive elephants in the room – it draws on the great many things that South Africans do have in common, and that will give us all a moment to agree on something, for a change.

Black Twitter, Blitz And A Boerie As Long As Your Leg lists and celebrates the tiny, subtle aspects of South African life that we all experience but don’t always notice. Engler looks at icons of our shared South Africanness but drills a little deeper to make them more specific, a bit more ridiculous, a bit funnier, and hopefully to induce an excited exclamation from the reader of, “Yoh! That’s so true!” Even if the entry is ostensibly negative, Engler will find a poignant aspect of it that is lovable and help us laugh at ourselves.

Fall Awake is a study in contrasts, exploring belonging and unbelonging; tracking the coming to terms with a fluid sexuality, and examining how relationships work or don't work.

Jeannie McKeown also confronts head-on the terrifying life-changing experience that is motherhood. Sometimes irreverent, always heartfelt, the poems in this collection speak to a particular life, and to what it is to reach the middle of one, and still find yourself with new horizons and more to learn.

A must-have guide to South Africa’s famously diverse and richly populated parks and reserves.

Stuarts’ Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of South Africa is an indispensable guide to the country’s best and most accessible conservation areas. Written by two prominent conservationists, this new edition (with slight name change) has been thoroughly revised and updated.

Each of the 43 featured reserves - arranged by province - includes:

East Africa is one of the world's premier wildlife regions, well known for its mass migrations of herds and the dramatic predators that accompany them. As iconic are the trees that grow here - some endemic to the region and almost all identified with the plains and slopes of this land, stretching from the muggy coast, through grasslands and up to the cold, dry reaches of high mountain peaks. Among them are mangroves, cycads and palms; marulas, acacias and sausage trees; fever trees, toothbrush trees and giant bamboos and heaths.

This book presents some 100 of the region's most visible and significant tree species, arranged by vegetation zone. Multiple images of each species showing key ID features, such as bark, leaves, flowers and fruit, are teamed with concise descriptions, where to see the trees, calendar bars indicating flowering months, interesting notes about their uses - both medicinal and practical - and the myths and legends they have generated.

Colorful, interesting and geared for quick tree identification, this handy guide will help visitors and locals alike make the most of East African safaris.

In her fourth collection, Isobel Dixon takes readers on a journey to far-flung and sometimes dark places. From Robben Island to Hiroshima, Egypt to Edinburgh, the West Bank and beyond, these poems are forays of discovery and resistance, of arrival and loss. Bearings sings of love too, and pays homage to lost friends and poets – the voices of John Berryman, Robert Louis Stevenson and others echo here. As Dixon explores form and subject, and a sometimes troubled past, she keeps a weather eye out for telling detail, with a sharp sense of the threat that these journeys, our wars and stories, and our very existence pose to the planet.

Le ncwadi ejabulisayo, egcwele mfi yethula izingane emaqenjini ezinyoni ezingaphezu kwama-60 ezitholakala eningizimu ne-Afrika: okholwase abanemilenze emide, oklebe abasheshayo, izincwincwi ezifana nejuba, izinsingizi ezinesibindi nezinye eziningi.

Funda ukubona izinyoni ezihlukahlukene, futhi uthole nendlela ehlaba umxhwele eziziphatha ngayo–indlela ezithola ngayo ukudla, ezikhetha ngayo umlingani, ezakha ngayo isidleke, ezikhulisa ngayo amachwane azo nokuthi zizigwema kanjani izilwane ezizizingelayo. Isingeniso esinemininingwane sichaza okuphathelene nezinyoni okunjengokuthandana, ukufuduka, ukuhlala kwazo ngaziningi kanye nokwebuza.

Kufakwe izithombe ezinhle ngokwedlulele ezingaphezu kwama-500, eziningi zichaziwe ukuze zigqamise izici nokuthile okuhlukile okuhlaba umxhwele ngazo.

Paige is best known for A Million Miles From Normal, her weekly column in the Sunday Times Life & Style magazine. As one of the anchor columnists of the Life & Style section since 2011, she has produced hundreds of hilarious columns and received hundreds more hilarious responses.

Pens Behaving Badly is a collection of the best of her columns and the best of the wild letters they’ve inspired.

This edition of Newman's birds of Southern Africa at once updates a classic and pays tribute to one of the region's birding authors, the late Kenneth Newman.

With the support of Faansie Peacock, the author's daughter, Vanessa Newman, has thoroughly revised, updated and expanded this new edition to reflect the latest research, both in terms of text and illustrations. Covering all the birds recorded from the Antarctic to the Zambezi River, its range includes the birds from the southern seas as well as those of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique.

The format of Newman's birds has been preserved and subtly modernized. Colour coding of major bird groups and the characteristically bold cross-referencing between text and images have been retained. As always, large, accurate paintings of each species reflect the bird as it is seen in the field, and are now labeled with diagnostic features, in line with top guides round the world.

A revised introductory section takes readers step-by-step through how to use this latest edition of Newman's Birds of Southern Africa in the field.