Beloved South African author Jaco Jacobs celebrates 25 years, 300 books, and millions of young readers with a magical new story about imagination and adventure.
South Africa (02 June 2026) – For many South Africans, growing up meant discovering a Jaco Jacobs book somewhere along the way.
Maybe it was borrowed from a school library. Maybe it was passed between siblings with dog-eared pages and folded corners. Maybe it was the first book that made reading feel less like homework and more like an adventure.
Now, after 25 years of creating stories for young readers, the beloved author is celebrating an extraordinary milestone: the publication of his 300th book.
It is the kind of number that feels almost impossible to comprehend. Over the last quarter century, Jacobs has averaged around 12 books every year, building a catalogue that stretches from picture books and poetry collections to teen fiction, activity books and bestselling series. For perspective, many authors publish between 20 and 30 books during their entire careers.
Born in Carnarvon in the Karoo and now based in Bloemfontein, Jacobs has quietly become one of South Africa’s most prolific literary success stories. His books have earned more than 45 awards, sold close to two million copies, and have found readers far beyond South African borders through translations into multiple languages.
But perhaps the most remarkable part is not the numbers. It is that after 300 books, the mission appears unchanged.
According to Miemie du Plessis, Children’s Book Publisher at Pan Macmillan, Jacobs has spent decades focused on writing stories children actually want to read.
“I quickly realised I was dealing with a writer who would irrevocably change the Afrikaans children’s book landscape. Jaco is a children’s book author without equal. From the start, he wanted to write the kind of books that children would enjoy and that would make them love reading. And 25 years, 300 books, and nearly 2 million copies later, he is still doing it. It is an enormous privilege for me and Pan Macmillan South Africa to be part of his journey.”
Fittingly, book number 300 is itself a celebration of imagination.
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A Christmas Delivery, an Old Friendship and Two Very Important WordsThe new story introduces readers to Brandon, a boy who hates Tuesdays because nothing exciting ever happens on Tuesdays. Every week after school, his grandmother picks him up and takes him to the library, where she drinks tea with friends while Brandon reluctantly searches for something to read.
The only other child there is the mysterious Book Girl, who never speaks and never seems to do anything except read.
Then one afternoon, a kicked soccer ball sets off something entirely unexpected.
Suddenly, Brandon finds himself swept into a wonderfully strange adventure filled with dragons, trolls, gnomes, riddles and magical creatures in a story that feels less like a reminder about why books matter and more like proof.
Perhaps that is what makes this milestone feel bigger than simply reaching 300 books. It is 25 years of convincing children that reading can still feel like magic.
Congratulations on 300, Jaco!
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