Westridge's Devine English unveils 'Friends Forever' on South African Librarians' Day
Westridge resident Devine English launched her debut children's book, Friends Forever – A tale of Benji & Devi at Westridge Library on South African Librarians' Day on Thursday, 10 July. Pictured with her is Mu-izz Hendricks, senior librarian and manager of Westridge Library and eight-year-old Alexis de Goede of Alexis of Westridge.
Image: Alicia English
Westridge resident Devine English launched her debut children’s book, Friends Forever – A tale of Benji & Devi, at Westridge Library on Thursday, July 10.
Her book launch coincided with South African Librarians’ Day, which was also marked on July 10. This year’s theme is “Drawn to the Library”, and that’s exactly what Ms English’s book launch did, as young and old braved the rainy weather to attend the book launch at Westridge Library.
“I was inspired to do this book for my 25th wedding anniversary in June. I decided I was not going to give a party but to invest in my future and in children because I simply love working with children,” Ms English said.
Friends Forever – A tale of Benji & Devi is filled with unexpected twists and turns.
Image: Supplied
Ms English, who works in the health sector, has dedicated her book to her cousin Benjamin Thompson, who owns a coffee shop called Friends Forever in Citrusdal, with whom she has a close bond.
Friends Forever is a delightful story about the unlikely friendship between a bear (Benji) and a rabbit (Devi). The two characters bump heads after bumping into each other in the forest.
Devi disobeys her mother’s instruction not to wander off into the forest alone and ends up stranded alone in a storm. Her disobedience leads to an eventful forest adventure.
Young and old braved the cold winter weather to attend the Friends Forever book launch at Westridge Library on Thursday, 10 July.
Image: Alicia English
Ms English said her story reminds readers of the importance of obeying one’s parents and the power of forgiveness.
“We see many reports of children who have gone missing. Sometimes, it is children who didn’t listen to their parents, or they get hurt.
“Mom and dad say stay indoors, don’t go outside because it is too dangerous. Even in these times we are living in now, we see how innocent children get shot,” she said.
“In the book Benji made a silly mistake and Devi did not want to forgive him at first. Sometimes people hurt us, and we stay mad at them for years and don’t forgive,” she added.
Friends Forever is available for R70. For more information or to get a copy, contact the author on 069 205 4028 or email divinebooks10@gmail.com.
From left: Westridge authors Michelle Ohlsson and Devine English.
Image: Supplied