The 10 Best Afrikaans Books For Beginners
We think that not enough emphasis is placed on reading as a way of bolstering new language skills. Reading helps not only with vocabulary and grammar acquisition, but also with overall fluency.
For beginners, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to reading in Afrikaans. You don’t want something that’s too challenging, otherwise reading will become a slog that you quickly give up. Likewise, you don’t want something too easy, as that will be too boring.
So, just like Goldilocks, beginners need something that’s “just right.” That’s why we’ve put together this list of the top 10 books in Afrikaans that learners should read. They’re all for younger readers, but they’re not too easy and not too challenging – perfect for those just starting out!
Die Leeu en die Hond
Die Leeu en die Hond (Babadiertjies van Afrika, Kinder Prentenboeke)
“The Lion and the Dog” is a children’s book about a lion who is removed from his home in Africa and forced to live in a zoo. Naturally, being away from his land and family, he becomes very angry and isolated. This all changes when he meets a kind dog who befriends him and helps him to adjust to his new life.
This is a great place for any new learners to start, as there are plenty of nice illustrations, and the language is quite easy.
Sirkus Honde Roscoe en Rolly
Sirkus Honde Roscoe en Rolly: Afrikaans Edition of Circus Dogs Roscoe and Rolly
“Circus Dogs Roscoe and Rolly” is a heartwarming story about the bond between a mentor and his student. It’s also a great book for teaching young children about teamwork.
Roscoe is a skilled circus dog, but he’s getting old. Rolly, a new puppy, helps him out and the two become good friends. When the circus is in trouble, Roscoe comes to the rescue.
This is another great book for learners, with easy language and fun illustrations.
Ek en Prins Donkerkuif
“Prince Dark Fringe and I” is an enjoyable read middle grade (8-12) readers who are struggling with the ups and downs of school life. It tackles topics such as popularity, crushes, and friendship in a fun and relatable way.
Join Lehandi as she navigates the choppy waters of tweenhood and figures out where she belongs in the world.
With easy language and plenty of humour, this book is sure to keep learners entertained.
Trompie (#1)
Trompie is a much-loved South African character who has been entertaining readers with his antics for nearly 50 years. This is like the South African version of Richmal Crompton’s popular “Just William” books.
This collection of stories is perfect for learners who want some authentic Afrikaans reading material. With easy language, crazy scenarios, and lovable characters, Trompie will keep learners entertained from beginning to end.
Stalmaats Omnibus 1
If you like horses, you’ll love this “Stable Mates” omnibus!
This omnibus contains the first five books in the series, which is about a girl who moves to a new town, leaving all her friends and her old riding school behind.
She eventually joins a new school, where she makes new friends and becomes a riding instructor to newbies. But it’s not all fun and games – there’s a school nemesis and a boy crush to deal with too!
This is a great series for horse lovers of all ages. The language is easy enough to follow and the stories are exciting and engaging. So saddle up and enjoy!
Die Boekwinkel Tussen die Wolke
“The Bookshop Between the Clouds” is a charming story about a girl who finds adventure in the most unexpected place.
With easy language and delightful illustrations, this book is perfect for beginners of any age who are looking for a good read full of mystery and adventure.
You’ll love this story if you’re a fan of books and magic – two things that are synonymous, in our opinion!
Sanri Steyn Omnibus 1
In this 4-story omnibus, you’re introduced to Sanri Steyn, a girl with an ambitious dream to become a world-renowned journalist. Join her and her best friend Markus as they take on all sorts of crazy adventures in their small village of Raaiselfontein.
Beginners and intermediate readers will love this book that’s packed with wacky stories, excitement and adventure.
Liewe Heksie se Groot Omnibus
In “Liewe Heksie’s Big Omnibus” you’ll find 41 stories of the adventures of Levinia and her friends in the magical world of Blommeland.
As the only witch in the land, she often gets herself and her friends into all sorts of trouble with her magic. But no matter what, she always manages to save the day in the end.
These charming stories are classics that have been enjoyed by children for over 50 years. This generous tome is perfect for beginner learners who are just starting to read Afrikaans. With its easy-to-read text and enchanting illustrations, this omnibus is sure to keep readers entertained for hours on end.
‘n Goeie Dag vir Boomklim
“A Good Day for Climbing Trees” is a fun and inspiring story about the power of standing up for what you believe in, even when it’s scary.
Marnus embarks on a journey that sees him scaling a tree in a bid to save it from being chopped down, and in the process, he finally gets to be seen for who he really is. This inspiring and fun story is perfect for beginner readers of Afrikaans.
(This is actually an Afrikaans language audiobook, which will be especially useful for learning the correct pronunciation and boosting your listening skills. You can get the Kindle version of the book to accompany the audio so that you don’t feel too lost when listening.)
Afrikaans for Beginners Kids: A Beginner Afrikaans Workbook
Afrikaans for Beginners Kids: A Beginner Afrikaans Workbook
Okay, so while not strictly a story book, there’s still lots of reading to be done, along with plenty of activities. You’ll learn numbers, shapes, body parts, colors, and more in this Afrikaans workbook.
It would have been better if they’d skipped the number-tracing, as that seems pretty redundant, in our opinion. But aside from that, you can really get a lot out of reading and working through the exercises.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this list useful and that you enjoy reading these books in Afrikaans! At some point, once you’ve had enough of reading about children’s adventures, you’ll want to move on to something more challenging. But for now, these books are perfect! Happy reading!
