Open the door

Summary

The story follows a young girl named Olwethu, whose imaginative play involves pretending to be various fantastical creatures like a bird, a mermaid, and a lion. Initially encouraged by her dreams yet reminded by her Gogo that it's time to go to school, Olwethu embarks on an adventure beginning with a mysterious door covered in feathers. This door transports her into an imaginative world where she experiences the freedom of flying, swimming, and roaring like her favored creatures. Each transformation occurs upon her interaction with vividly described doors, symbolizing gateways to wonder and creativity. Ultimately, Olwethu returns to reality, finding herself in her classroom with her friends, illustrating the boundless nature of imagination even in everyday settings. The story promotes creativity, imagination, and adventure as part of a child's development while emphasizing the joy of returning to familiar surroundings.

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Olwethu wants to play pretend.

“I want to fly like a bird, swim like a mermaid, roar like a lion,” she tells Gogo.

But Gogo says, “Not now, Olwethu. It’s time to go to school.”

STOMP! STOMP!

Olwethu’s feet go as she walks slowly to school.

But what is this?

There’s a door, covered in feathers.

Olwethu walks up to it and…

WHOOSH!

Olwethu is a bird in the sky!

ZOOOOM!

She’s flying!

Birds wave at her as they fly by.

But what is this?

There’s another door, covered in scales.

FLAP! FLAP!

She flies over, touches the door and…

SPLISH! SPLOSH!

Olwethu is a mermaid in the ocean!

The fish smile at her as she swims by.

But what is this?

There’s another door, shining bright like the sun.

She swims over, and…

“GRRRRRRRRR!”

Olwethu is a lion in the savannah.

She opens her mouth and…

“ROOOAAARRRR!”

Her voice is loud and powerful. But what is this?

There’s another door, covered with photos of her friends.

She prowls over, holds up her paw, and…

WHIZZ!

Olwethu is herself again.

She’s in her classroom with her friends.

Teacher Songelwa says, “HMMMMMM…
…where have you been, Olwethu?”

“WOW! Teacher, I’ve been everywhere!”

Credits

Originally published by Book Dash under a Creative Commons Licensed BY 4.0. This book can be read for free on https://bookdash.org/books/open-the-door and was created by: Gabriella Jardine (Illustrator), Jacqui Botha (Designer), Jen Thorpe (Writer), Diane Awerbuck (Editor) Book Dash logo