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Growing a Nation of Readers: International Literacy Day 2026

At Pan Macmillan SA, growing a nation of readers means rooting children in local stories while giving them wings with global adventures. Read our International Literacy Day message on the power of shared reading and community partnerships.

International Literacy Day 2026 PASA


The Pan Macmillan South Africa children’s department is driven by a single, vital objective: growing a nation of readers. We know that a lifelong love for reading begins the moment a child recognises themself, their languages, and their daily lives on the page. For us, promoting literacy means providing young minds with stories that authentically reflect their world while giving them the tools to navigate it.

The Power of Local Voices: All That I Am

Our local authors and illustrators are the absolute foundation of our publishing list. We are committed to building a uniquely South African literary heritage so that children across the country grow up with books that sing with the familiar rhythms of home.

All That I Am, edited by Refiloe Moahloli and illustrated by Katlego Keokgale, exemplifies this commitment. It is a vibrant collection of South African poems and songs that captures the cultures and storytelling power of our nation. Whether read at bedtime, shared in a classroom, or listened to as an audiobook, it demonstrates that literacy thrives when stories truly belong to the reader. By championing local voices, we are actively shaping the literary landscape our children will inherit.

All That I Am

by Refiloe Moahloli

Book cover for All That I Am

Explore a vibrant tapestry of South African culture with this enchanting treasury of songs and poems, curated especially for young readers. Compiled by acclaimed children's book author Refiloe Moahloli, this book features traditional and contemporary works in the rainbow nation's 11 official spoken languages, each accompanied by an English translation. Join 17 esteemed contributors, including beloved authors Sindiwe Magona, Jaco Jacobs, Gcina Mhlophe and more, as they share works that celebrate the diversity and beauty of South Africa and its people. Illustrated throughout in full colour by award-winning illustrator Katlego Keokgale, the treasury is not just a book, but a visual feast that brings South African culture to life. Perfect for bedtime reading or to use in the classroom, All that I am, is a celebration of language, culture, and the power of storytelling that will captivate readers of all ages.


Taking Stories to the Streets: Our On-the-Ground Partners

Publishing exceptional books is only the first step; access is the essential second. Getting books into the hands of children who need them most is a core operational pillar for Pan Macmillan South Africa.

We do not do this work in isolation. Our enduring partnerships with incredible on-the-ground literacy organisations ensure that reading materials reach communities across the country. These grassroots partners dismantle barriers to reading through community reading clubs, early childhood interventions, and direct book distribution. Our literacy efforts rely on this collaborative, community-first approach.

A Global Adventure: The Return to the Deep Dark Wood

Alongside our local publishing, our relationship with our international partners allows us to bring beloved international stories to Mzansi. Central to this is Julia Donaldson, who has consistently championed the idea that learning to read must be an adventure.

This International Literacy Day aligns with a major global release we are thrilled to bring to South Africa: Gruffalo Granny. For the first time in over twenty years, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are inviting readers back into the deep dark wood.

Donaldson’s approach to early literacy relies entirely on the joy of shared reading. The silly voices, the infectious rhymes, and the captivating illustrations are designed to make children genuinely want to engage with a book. Gruffalo Granny serves as a perfect tool for those vital moments where a parent, teacher, or caregiver sits with a child and reads aloud, bridging the gap between learning words and loving stories.

Today, we ask parents, caregivers, and educators to do one simple thing: read together. Whether you are exploring the rhythmic, homegrown poetry of All That I Am or venturing into the deep dark wood to meet Gruffalo Granny, take 15 minutes to share a story with a child. By rooting our children in the stories of their home while giving them the wings to explore the world, we are actively writing their future.

Support South African Literacy

A reading nation is a communal effort, and there are countless incredible organisations doing the vital groundwork to raise a new generation of readers. This International Literacy Day, consider following, supporting, or volunteering with some of them to makea difference:

  • Nal'ibali: South Africa’s national reading-for-enjoyment campaign, championing mother-tongue literacy and the power of storytelling.
  • HOPE worldwide South Africa: Driving early childhood development and community interventions to ensure vulnerable children are school-ready and supported.
  • The Bookery: Dedicated to building functional and well-resourced school libraries across the country to give learners access to quality books.
  • Otto Foundation: Working to cultivate a love for reading by transforming under-resourced school libraries into vibrant, imaginative spaces for children.
  • Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation: A charitable organisation dedicated to empowering young writers, promoting literacy, and advancing the adventure writing genre.
  • Book Dash: Gathering creative professionals to write, illustrate, and distribute high-quality African storybooks that anyone can access and translate for free.
  • READ Educational Trust: One of South Africa's oldest literacy organisations, dedicated to empowering educators and learners in under-resourced schools through world-class literacy training and language interventions. 
  • Phendulani Lit Quiz: An inspiring national reading initiative and quiz that provides engaging books to under-resourced schools, sparking a love of reading for pleasure through an exciting, celebratory competition for young learners. 

Taking Hands for the Future

The work of building a reading culture does not stop with publishers and NGOs. It is kept alive every single day by dedicated teachers in classrooms across the country, passionate booksellers who hand-pick the perfect story for a reluctant reader, and the vibrant literary festivals that celebrate our local authors. We salute every person, school, retailer, organisation and community leader championing this cause across Mzansi.

Literacy is a deeply collaborative effort, and we are always looking for new ways to expand our reach and make a meaningful impact. If you are working in this space, or if you have an idea of how we can partner to get more books into the hands of South African children, we want to hear from you.

Reach out to us, and let’s write the next chapter together.