Shapes

Batho is the kind of child who can’t walk through a city without asking questions. On his way home from school in Cape Town, past the slopes of Table Mountain and the historic walls of the Castle of Good Hope, through the bold lines of the Zeitz MOCAA and the sweeping curves of the Bosjes Chapel, he begins to notice something remarkable. Hidden in plain sight are shapes — triangles, arches, circles, spirals — quietly holding everything up.What starts as simple curiosity becomes an eye-opening journey into how the world is built. Batho discovers that these shapes aren’t just beautiful; they are powerful. They create strength, balance, and stability in the buildings and landmarks that define his city — and in natural forms too. With every new discovery, he learns to see engineering and design not as distant concepts, but as part of everyday life.Set against a distinctly South African backdrop with universal appeal, Shapes blends story and STEAM learning in a way that feels organic and adventurous. It invites young readers to look more closely at their own surroundings, sharpening observational skills and sparking critical thinking. Visually engaging and highly giftable, this is a story that works as beautifully in the classroom and library as it does at home — inspiring confidence, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of how our world fits together.

Batho Mokhothu is a respected infrastructure and construction management leader in South Africa with more than 17 years of senior leadership experience in public infrastructure delivery, engineering management, and capital investment oversight. A Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) specializing in structural and civil engineering, he has built a distinguished career at the intersection of technical excellence and strategic leadership.Batho's technical expertise spans structural analysis, foundation engineering, and civil engineering, and his research contributions have been published internationally in the fields of structural engineering and mechanics.Beyond his professional career, he is passionate about education, learning, and expanding access to knowledge. He brings this passion to young readers through his debut children's book, Shapes, which introduces foundational concepts in a fun and accessible way, inspiring curiosity and early learning.Illustrator Biography: Anja Stoeckigt is a self-taught illustrator and author with an appreciation for the peculiar and the everyday beautiful. She loves eating Nutella straight out of the jar, taking long walks with her doggo and cuddling on the couch with her husband. When she was young, Anja would constantly linger in the stationary section of any shop and dream of all the different designs she would one day create. Now that she is an illustrator, she has a lot of fun creating all sorts of art.