Elaine Macdonald is predominately known as an author, scriptwriter and children’s television presenter in South Africa.
She is a proud resident of Boksburg and loves the people in her community and wonderful surroundings of Bardene.
Her latest work as an author is I See an Elephant, which was published by Penguin Random House in 2018.
She began her career writing radio programme content, book reviews and corporate scripts.
A few years later she was invited to become one of the writers of the children’s edutainment programme, Kideo (winner of the 1993 Japan International Prize).
She played the role of Molly Metronome in the series and wrote over 100 theme related songs. This series was followed by Fundani Nathi and then Fun Factory.
In all, Elaine has written over 1 000 educational television scripts.
It is no surprise when writers were needed to revamp the South Africa schools’ reading curriculum that she was chosen by MacMillan as one of the main authors of the Readers are Leaders series.
These books have now been translated into all official languages and are widespread throughout the country’s schools.
Her book Anthology of stories for Grade R became available at the beginning of 2016 and Here we go, a book of songs and rhymes for Grade R followed shortly afterward.
I see an Elephant tells the tale of a gentle elephant who wishes he was a bird. He starts to build a nest, but when the birds laugh at his attempts and try to chase him away, the elephant takes a stand, declaring he should be able to live as he chooses.
Realising he is right, the birds accept him as one of them and help him transform into an ‘ele-bird’.
The book is filled with stunning illustrations done by Elaine’s daughter, Vanessa Mearns.
Elaine regularly visits schools to speak to the children and do a presentation with her daughter.
“The children do a little drawing and it is amazing what these little ones can do,” said Elaine.
Elaine is eager to visit schools in Boksburg and will be donating some of her books to local charities as well.
This friendly, optimistic author makes up stories around her everyday.
“Everywhere I go, I see disasters happening all around me, and I turn them into fun stories. Once I met a really rude lady, she was just terrible, and I turned her into the Rudest Wharthog in one of my stories.”
Elaine has three children and eight grandchildren, and has so much fun with them.
“That’s why I write children’s stories, I would rather read something bright and exciting than heavy and serious.
“Everyone can relate to my children stories, no matter how old you are.”
Elaine has a unique style of writing based on her academic and entertainment training. She is able to reach learners of all ages, backgrounds and cultures quite easily.
Her motto is: Learning should always be fun.
If you want to know more you can visit her webpage www.elainemacdonald.co.za
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