Nicole Levin

Children’s author

Welcome to the home of my children’s books. I do hope you will enjoy browsing and visit again.

Meet George, a boy who goes on adventures to discover the world around him, and find out who he is. Join George on his different philosophical adventures:

1. •The Art of Is-Ing. George wants to stop doing and just be. So he sets off to find friends to is with. But everybody is so busy, will he find anyone who enjoys the art of is-ing?

   (ISBN 9780796038197).

1. •In, Out and Around the World. Everyone tells him that the world is round. But George can see that the world is dippy, curvy, flat and long. George’s journey to find the roundness of the world leads him to  discover perspective and distance, and how where you are in the world determines what you see  (ISBN 9780796038173).

2. •Out of the Box.   George tries to discover what box he fits into, and ends up in some very strange places. But does he need to fit into a box? Or just himself? (ISBN 9780796033130).

3. •Sounds from the Inside Out. What sound do you make?’ asked the man. But George doesn’t know. So he sets off on a journey to discover his sound. But what is the sound that makes him special?

    (ISBN 9780796038180).

Mandi and the Moonstones

A fantastical tale about the moon falling out of the sky. Although she is so little, Mandi has a very big, very magical idea to restore the moon to the sky and happiness to the hearts of her people.

(ISBN 9780796033147). 

Awards:

Sounds from the Inside Out, The Art of Is-ing and Mandi and the Moonstones have been selected to be read in English and Zulu on a literacy programme called Ntunjambili on Yo-TV on SABC TV in 2010.

Mandi and the Moonstones and The Art of Is-Ing were selected out of hundreds of books for publication in the Sunday Times’ Read Right series. To be published in the last quarter of 2010.

Sounds from the Inside Out, The Art of Is-ing and In, Out and Around the World were placed on the top-10 list for the Exclusive Books/IBBY Awards for Children’s Literature in South Africa in 2009.

The Art of Is-ing was placed on South African childrens’ book critic Jay Heale’s “recommended” list, and is one of his four most favoured picture books in 2009. He observes “Is-ing is much more restful (than doing) – perhaps a young start to meditation?

Reviews:

Jay Heale has described the Out of the Box series as “... four pleasant picture-story books about young George trying to answer slightly philosophical questions. In each book he goes visiting – a cake shop, a greengrocer and others before thinking his way to a conclusion. I like thoughtful books. These are gently satisfying, with happy, simple illustrations..”.

Heale describes Mandi and the Moonstones as “...Lovely, vibrant storytelling – super to read aloud...”

To see the full reviews click here.

Nicole’s bio

Nicole Levin is inspired to capture the world through the eyes of a child. And so, she writes for children from ages three to fourteen. Her writing spans different genres: picture books, fiction, non-fiction, poetry and plays. She also writes teachers’ guides.

Nicole  has had an eclectic and varied career life: she has worked as a drama teacher, theatre director, improvisational actor, facilitator, and an English teacher to foreign language and special needs students.

She has a Masters Degree in Creative Writing from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and an honours degree in Drama and a Performers Diploma in Speech and Drama from the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

Nicole lives in Cape Town, South Africa with her husband Brett Cohen and their two young children.

Nicole is available to do readings and activities at schools, bookshops and other events across South Africa. Please click here to email or call on +27 (0) 76 971 8411