Back on the shelf: Yusuf Daniels releases his 4th book based on kids, parenting dramas
|Published
BACK FOR MORE: Living With Dragons is now on sale and retails for R170
“Accidental” best-selling author Yusuf Daniels is back with his FOURTH book.
The Kenwyn writer’s latest novel is called Living with Dragons and goes on sale this week.
The latest book follows on from Living Coloured (because black and white were already taken), Living Lekka (from Mitchells Plain to aeroplane) and Living The Hustle (Dala (do) what you must).
The dad of three tells the Daily Voice that the book isn’t about actual dragons but stories about his three kids and what they get up to.
The anecdotes are told in Yusuf’s characteristic Cape Flats writing style and is full of humour, and life and parenting lessons.
Yusuf, 50, says he’s proud of his fourth offering: “Book four in two and a half years… Living with Dragons: Where there’s smoke there’s fire.
“People think I’m nasty calling my kids dragons but this term is like the Game of Thrones story - Kalisi and the three dragons, as Kalisi loved her dragons, that’s how I love my kids Dariya, 11, Daanyal, 17, Thameenah, 20, who live with their mother.
“The book holds stories about my three children and the peculiar things that happen to them. Sometimes we want to give them up for adoption but we realise it’s haraam - just joking.
“It’s about absent fathers and being present for your children. There’s a lot of life lessons in this book about parenting as well, and I mention a lot of stuff about uplifting your children, whether they do good or not, that’s how they build confidence.
“Kids watch their dads, if you treat your wife or ex-wife nicely, then your son will learn to treat his wife nicely.”
He adds: “We need to tell more stories. As long as my books bring laughter and smiles, I will continue writing.”
Yusuf says besides his book writing, he and Thameena are also planning to do talks at schools to motivate the youth next year.
Thameena says: “I read the book and it feels like I am in that moment, even if it’s a memory.
“Jinne, I can’t believe how many times I nearly died. It's funny and it’s really vivid. I enjoyed it and it reminds me that I have been through so much trauma.”
The book went on sale this week and retails for R170.