Stacey Fru[1] is a South African writer. Having published her debut novel Smelly Cats in 2015, she is thought to be Africa's youngest published author by the news provider Independent Online.[2] In 2016, she founded the Stacey Fru Foundation, a charity dedicated to improving access to education for children in South Africa's rural areas. Fru was shortlisted for the 2020 International Children's Peace Prize.
Stacey Fru | |
|---|---|
 Fru in 2024 | |
| Born | 16 February 2007 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Occupation | Author |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Years active | 2015– |
| Website | |
| www | |
Life
editFru is the second of four children in her family. Her first book Smelly Cats[3] was written without her parents' knowledge[1] and published just before her eighth birthday. According to the South African news provider Independent Online, the publication of her debut novel made her Africa's youngest published author.[2] In 2016, she founded the Stacey Fru Foundation, a charity dedicated to improving access to education for children in South Africa's rural areas.[4] In 2017, she became an ambassador for Save the Children.[1] Her 2019 book Tim's Answer was the first book in South Africa to be published simultaneously in print, Braille and via the Digital Accessible Information System.[3]
Recognition
editFru's work has been recognised with several honours: she was the recipient of the 2019 Pan-African Award for Literary Work, the 2020 Outstanding Young African Entrepreneur award, and the 2020 Global Child Prodigy award. She was among those shortlisted for the 2020 International Children's Peace Prize.[5][6] In March 2021, she was included in a list of the 100 most influential young South Africans published by Avance Media.[7]
Works
edit- Smelly Cats. Johannesburg: Profounder Publishing. 2015. ISBN 978-0-620-65490-6.
- Bob and the Snake. Johannesburg: Profounder Publishing. 2016. ISBN 978-0-6399205-3-5.
- Tim's Answer. Johannesburg: Profounder Publishing. 2019. ISBN 978-0-6399205-5-9.
- Smelly Cats on Vacation. Johannesburg: Profounder Publishing. 2020. ISBN 978-0-6399205-1-1.
- Where is Tammy?. Johannesburg: Profounder Publishing. 2020. ISBN 978-0-6399205-3-5.
- Stacey Fru As Seen and Heard. Johannesburg: Profounder Publishing. 2021. ISBN 978-0-620-92273-9.
References
edit- ^ a b c "A veteran at 11, SA author Stacey Fru poised to publish fifth book". ewn.co.za.
- ^ a b "11-year-old Joburg author is the star of Book Week". Independent Online. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Award-winning author, 12, gets book published for blind to 'encourage inclusion'". www.iol.co.za.
- ^ "History". Stacey Fru Foundation. 25 June 2021.
- ^ "A trail of awards for young author". 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Author Stacey Fru, 12, honoured by Egyptian president". www.iol.co.za.
- ^ "13-year-old author and activist Stacey Fru among 100 most influential young South Africans". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 25 June 2021.