Know your mammals

Mammals of Southern Africa

Author: Chris and Mathilde Stuart    

Published by Random House Struik

Is your dad crazy about the outdoors and hunting? Does he spend hours in front of the television, watching programmes about wildlife? Then this book is the ideal treat for him the Father’s Day … and best of all is that he can stay warm and read it in bed! This easy-to-use, compact book is the perfect pocket ID guide to mammals that can be found in our country and is handy because Dad will be able to take it on his next safari or hunting trip.
It covers – in surprising detail – some 120 mammals, from the smallest (bats, sengis and shrews) to the largest, such as elephant, lion and rhinoceros, as well as marine species, such as seals, dolphins and whales. The colourful images gives a clear picture of what each animal looks like and this guide offers concise information on key ID pointers, similar species, habitat, behaviour, diet, reproduction, longevity, calls, occurrence and measurements.

The book also contains distribution maps, silhouettes indicating size relative to humans and illustrations of tracks and droppings make this a must-have book for tourists and nature-lovers alike. A real gem to have on your shelf if you love animals and a great gift for any nature lover. This book is also available in Afrikaans and Dutch.

About the authors:

Husband and wife team, Chris and Tilde Stuart, are best known for their various mammal field guides, but also for numerous other titles they have written on the natural environment of Africa. They are founders of the African Carnivore Research Programme and the African-Arabian Wildlife Research Centre. They travel extensively and are involved in various research programmes dealing with carnivores and other animals. 

NB: One lucky reader can win a copy of this handy guide, click here to enter! 

A French Affair

Summer Food in Provence

Author: Marita van der Vyfer

Published by: Tafelberg

If you are looking for something totally different than the normal cookbook, then this book would most definitely tickle your taste buds and interest. The book is written by well-known author Marita van der Vyfer and inspired by her passion for food and time spent in France. This book combines delicious recipes with interesting family stories and beautiful images. The recipes are easy, down-to-earth, affordable and simply delicious! Although the dishes are from Provencal, Mediterranean and French origin, it is just as nice to enjoy at home in South Africa and your family will love it! 

Treat your kitchen with one of these divine books because whether you are an experienced cook or just starting out, this book will change the way you feel about cooking forever! This title is also available in Afrikaans!    

About the author:

Marita initially worked as a journalist at the newspaper Die Burger and the magazine Sarie, until she decided in 1987 to become a freelance journalist. She debuted in 1982 with the children’s book, Van jou jas. But it was her first adult novel in 1992, the highly controversial Griet skryf ’n sprokie, which quickly became a bestseller and was reprinted several times. Griet skryf ’n sprokie were awarded the M-Net, ATKV and Eugène Marais Prizes. She has received many other awards since and has been living in the French countryside with her French husband and children since 1999. 

Do-it-yourself

DIY with Home: 35 Projects for your Home 

Compiled from: Home Magazine

Published by: Human & Rousseau

Some of us (especially the guys) do actually like doing projects around the house ourselves. There is a sense of pride in displaying your own handmade piece of furniture in your home. Have you ever thought about making your own coffee table, pool pump cover, medicine cabinet or baby cot … or do you know someone who has … then this is the book you need!

This practical guide is crammed with easy, inspirational projects for every room in your house. The diverse projects are guaranteed to appeal to anyone with a knack for creating their own things – from the absolute beginner to the expert. Along with smaller projects, where recycling and reusing existing objects is the name of the game, it also features much more inventive, design-like projects.

The book consists of five parts:

• Living
• Bedroom and Bathroom
• Children
• Storage
• Outside

Each project comes with notes, shopping lists, step-by-step instructions with sketches and colour photographs. This book is the ideal gift to treat DIY-DAD with this Father’s Day. Also available in Afrikaans.

Vir ons Afrikaanse lesers!

Vir die rugby-entoesias  

Rugbymal: Stories uit die pawiljoene 

Saamgestel deur: Jaco Kirsten 

Uitgewer: Tafelberg

Dis deesdae heeltyd rugbyseisoen in ons land omdat daar so baie toernooie is waaraan almal deelneem. Maar 2011 is weer een van daardie spesiale rugby-jare – dis tyd vir die Wêreldbeker en die Bokke moet hulle titel in Nieu-Seeland gaan verdedig! So almal gaan weer baie ure van spanning, woede en geluk voor die kassie deurbring. As jou pa of man een van daardie ernstige rugby-geesdriftiges is, is hierdie boek beslis die regte geskenk – veral met Vadersdag en die opwindende toernooi om die draai. Hierdie boek bevat van die land se grootste rugbyondersteuners se opine oor die spel en dit is in ’n heerlike leesstyl geskryf. Dit bevat staaltjies soos:

• “Om Frik du Preez se handtekening te vra” deur Wynand Claassen (voormalige Springbok)
• “Lesse van ’n rugby-weduwee” by Justine Krige (vrou van oud-Springbokkaptein Corné Krige)
• “Die slag van Tucumán” deur Louis de Villiers (Rapport-rugbyjoernalis)
• “Eéndag gaan ek Nuweland toe” deur Gert van der Westhuizen (Sportsredakteur van Beeld)
• “Wat rugby my geleer het” deur Leon-Ben Lamprecht (Weg-joernalis)

Dit praat bietjie oor alles wat lekker is van rugby, van raserige ouers by skolerugby tot kwaai mans wanneer hulle spanne verloor. Wat ’n heerlike boek vir enige een wat lief is vir hierdie groot sportsoort! 

Oor die samesteller:

Jaco Kirsten het al vele beroepe beoefen, van brandweerman tot sekuriteitswag, skrywer en joernalis. Hy is die bekendste vir sy rol as rubriekskrywer vir Die Burger. Hy is op die oomblik redakter van topBike-tydskrif. Hy en sy vrou woon tans in Sunset Beach in die Kaap.

Gift inspiration

Ideas gifts 

Compiled from Ideas Magazine

Published by: Human & Rousseau  

In the times we are living in, handmade gifts and DIY-projects have become increasingly popular because they are often less expensive and very unique. It could also be that you are looking for creative and fun ways to keep yourself and the kids busy this holiday. Why not get this great book and make your own handmade gifts for a few family members with birthdays coming up? Create gifts wrapped in love, with even the tag showing special care. This useful guide will help you with creative gift ideas for any occasion.

It contains:

• 50 ideas for handmade gifts
• Striking ideas for wrapping a special present
• Cards or tags for every gift
• Easy, affordable projects
• All the patterns and templates you will need

This book is truly something unique and whether baked, hand-embroidered, stitched, stamped, cut-out or painted, you will find the perfect gift for your loved ones – young and old – in this easy-to-use book.