Join a team, Make a book, Change the world.
Calling all writers, illustrators and designers! Use the creative skills you practice every day to give a child the gift of a lifetime. Apply to take part at our 25th Book Dash event being hosted in Johannesburg 19 September 2026.
We want your unique superpower to help us celebrate and create beautiful, brand-new African children’s storybooks.
On a single Book Dash day, teams of volunteer creatives work together to make beautiful African children’s books that anyone can freely access, print and distribute. All our books are made in 12-hour sprints by creative professionals who volunteer their time and talent because they believe in our vision. Each team consists of a writer, an illustrator, a designer and an editor. Expert Book Dash facilitators will be around to keep you on track, and help you finish your book. Our event sponsors are committed to fostering diverse representation, so creatives from the John Taolo Gaetsewe District and the broader Northern Cape are strongly encouraged to apply.
Book Dash books are freely available for anyone to access worldwide and we have printed and distributed more than 5 million books, enabling families to read with their young children, and set them on the path to success.
Enjoy some highlights from our 2025 event hosted in Cape Town, captured in the visuals below by Surefire Communications.
Make a book, change the world.
If you’re a professional creative and you’re interested in volunteering at a future Book Dash day, please fill out this form! We’ll notify you when applications are open for our next event.