The first four books developed for and used in the pilot phase of the project include the following:

Horns Only

A story book written by Fathima Dada, Leoni Hofmeyr and Gcina Mhlophe and illustrated by Heather Moore and Jiggs Snaddon-Wood, published by Maskew Miller Longman.

Horns Only is about a party that only animals with horns are allowed to attend. Monkey and Zebra devise a devious way to gatecrash the party but their plot is uncovered and they are chased away. The party, however, loses its sparkle without Zebra and Monkey and the animals with horns invite them, and other animals without horns, to the party.

Thandeka's Gift

A word book also written by Fathima Dada, Leoni Hofmeyr and Gcina Mhlophe and illustrated by Pandora Alberts, published by Maskew Miller Longman.

The book has eight double-page pictures with words down side panels on each page. Readers can match words and pictures, and develop a story that unfolds from page to page.

Abongi's Journey

Conceptualised by Kerry Saadien-Raad and illustrated by Tasia Rosser, published by Ampersand.

Abongi's Journey is a wordless picture book with beautiful double-page illustrations of Abongi journeying through different landscapes and situations. A number of stories can unfold and develop with each 'reading'.

Khushu Khushu

Is a collection of seven rhymes, each written in a different South African language. The book is illustrated by Jean Fullalove. English translations are given on the back page. The book aims to develop an appreciation of the multilingual nature of South African society, published by Juta/Gariep.

Abongi's Journey and Khushu Khushu
both received the 2002 Vivian Wilkes Award,
awarded by the SA Children's Book Forum
for books which have made a special contribution
to South African children's literature.

Publishers have printed copies of these books for retail purposes. Some of the books are now being included in sets of materials used at the Grade R level in schools. All the books should also be available through bookstores, but anyone having difficulty finding them can approach the publishers directly to find out where they are on sale.

First Words in Print also promotes the books through a wide network of reading and book clubs, libraries and literacy projects, local and international publications, so that the books have the potential to reach children and communities over and above those directly involved in the project.