How school readers sparked Zeta Jonkers' imagination

FOR most children, school readers are a way to pass time in class or practice new vocabulary. But for 10-year-old Zeta Jonkers, a Grade 4 learner at De Kuilen Primary, those books became building blocks for her own imagination.

- LIESL VAN DER SCHYFF

ZETA Jonkers.

(Supplied)

Little Zeta has now taken the step from reader to young author, with her first story formally published - a birthday wish her parents helped her turn into reality.

Jonkers has been making up stories since she was eight-years old, she said she can still remember when she realised that creating her own worlds felt as natural as reading the ones in front of her.

"I discovered I've had a passion for creating my own stories since I was only eight-years old," she said.

She credits the Department of Education (DBE) readers and the popular Biff and Chip series for setting her imagination alight.

What appealed to her most was how familiar characters returned with a fresh challenge or adventure. She said that simple structure helped her understand how stories work and encouraged her to create her own.