Once Upon a Time Award-winning author by Niki Daly (author)

When Sarie’s teacher says, “Children, take out your reading books,” a sick feeling grips Sarie. The words trip up her tongue and she stutters and stammers, making the others in the back row giggle. But there are two people who sympathise: her friend Emile, and Ou Missus, the old lady living over the veld. One Sunday, Sarie comes across an old copy of Cinderella and begs Ou Missus to read it to her. Ou Missus says, “No – we will read it together.” And Sarie’s confidence grows, until the day finally comes when the school principal says to Sarie, “You read beautifully!”

A wonderfully illustrated, touching tale of a shy girl who blossoms into a story-loving reader, with a vibrant South African setting.