Plumstead author Katherine Graham, 46, launched her children’s book titled, From Ugly to Beautiful: The Story of Irma Stern on Saturday, June 24, at the Irma Stern Museum in Rosebank.
Around 50 people from early childhood development organisations and book literacy non-profits attended the launch.
From Ugly to Beautiful: The Story of Irma Stern, illustrated by Nicola Smith, tells the story of Irma Stern who grew up in Germany to German Jewish parents and encountered various obstacles in her journey to becoming a famous South African artist.
She lived at the location of what is now the museum from 1925 until her death in 1966.
Ms Graham says she wanted to produce a children’s picture book as she thought it was an inspiring story for young children. “I wanted this to be an inspirational story about following your dreams and also to encourage children not to give up if they encounter obstacles,” she says.
Ms Graham has previously written another book on Irma Stern, titled A Passionate Vision: The Story of Irma Stern, which was released in 2017 and aimed at an older audience.
“Irma Stern was committed to excellence, she took herself seriously and when you take yourself seriously as an artist, people will take you seriously and Irma always used the finest quality oils to create beautiful paintings,” she says.
As an author, Ms Graham has published other children’s books including The Lemon Tree, The Poofiest Pong, The Dummy Fairy and Alfonso, the Tooth Mouse. She plans on writing another book based on the late artist Peter Clarke from Simon’s Town.
Staff members and children of the Twinklestar Educare in Lavender Hill were present at the book launch where they received free copies of the book.
Principal of Twinklestar Educare , Tanya Martin, says the book launch was educational for her and her children. “Her book teaches that if you think you can’t do something, it inspires you to think that you can do it through perseverance,” she says.
Read to Rise programme director, Roscoe Williams, says Irma Stern’s story was really inspirational. “We received a few books that we will deliver to the schools that we work with on the Cape Flats.”
Director of the Irma Stern Museum, Nadja Daehnke, says: “Irma Stern has been an inspiration to children and adults and it’s fantastic that a book made for younger children will allow them to learn about her.”
From Ugly to Beautiful: The Story of Irma Stern costs R160 and can be bought at the Irma Stern Museum. Call 021 650 7240 or email irmastern@uct.ac.za
