A new illustrated children's storybook Bible, written by Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and illustrated by artists from around the world will be launched at the opening of the Cape Town Book Fair (CTBF) on 30 July 2010.

Specifically a day for members of the book trade, the launch will be open to the media and invited guests and will be telecast via satellite from the fair to participating publishing houses around the world.

Published by Lux Verbi, South African specialists in Christian non-denominational literature, the Children of God - Storybook Bible is already a run-away success which has been translated into 12 languages, including Afrikaans Sesotho, Setswana, Xhosa, Zulu, Italian, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

Characteristically, Tutu is full of whimsical excitement about the launch: "It's a cause for celebration. I'm looking forward to holding that brand new beautiful book in my hands at the Cape Town Book Fair," he said. "It's been a two-year project that's very close to my heart." 

The Archbishop has dedicated the Bible to his friend, the late Luke Stubbs, a fellow Anglican priest whose idea it was to create the children's Bible and also to involve Tutu as the storyteller. As a bi-lingual Anglican priest and a masterful wordsmith who worked as an editor at Lux Verbi, Stubbs saw the dynamic potential of a multi-lingual children's Bible, which speaks to all races, genders, and cultures.

"Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity to be involved. Stubbs was passionate about getting this Bible published and it's a great tribute to him that Children of God is such a beautiful book which will inspire generations of readers," said Tutu.

According to Lux Verbi's marketing manager, Eben Pienaar, "When Stubbs suggested asking Tutu to write the book, it made perfect sense: Who else could write a global children's Bible that everyone in the world can relate to?"

"Tutu has a huge heart for children and also for the rainbow nation, so it was a natural fit. The book conveys the message of the caring, sharing God who loves us and celebrates all our differences, emphasising the one family, rainbow character of the Kingdom of God," said Pienaar.

Tutu's version of 56 of the most loved children's stories from the Old and New Testaments are each illustrated in full colour by acclaimed international artists, bringing together their various cultures, backgrounds, personalities, and communities in one book.

"What we've got is a storybook Bible that conveys the message that God is the God for all people," added Tutu.

"The stories and pictures are of children of many different cultures, giving us a culturally sensitive Bible that can serve a new global world. The overall themes are relationships and reconciliation, and the drawings delightfully show the emotional or physical connection between the characters, allowing every child to feel as if he or she was right there with them," explained Tutu. 

To date foreign publishers including Harper Collins in the United Kingdom, Zondervan in the United States and about 15 others have signed rights deals, which allows them to translate, print and sell the Bible abroad.

"We're anticipating further interest from international players who're attending the launch. This year's CTBF has a strong trade focus so the Bible will be exposed to foreign publishing houses looking to Africa for new books to take on board," said Pienaar.

In addition to the hard and soft cover versions of the Bible, Tutu has lent his voice to a double CD audio version giving children all over the world an opportunity to listen to him reading them their favourite Bible stories, while enjoying the pictures in the book.  

Director of the CTBF, Claudia Kaiser said a publication like this has the ability to boost South Africa's profile as a centre for literacy.

"We're thrilled to be hosting this prestigious launch. The knock-on effect the interest in this book generates is that foreign publishers at the launch will be exposed to the wealth and quality of publishing our country and Africa at large has to offer," said Kaiser.  

Tutu said he's glad a South African publisher is behind a children's Bible that will be read and enjoyed by children and adults around the world.

"Given our rich multi-cultural history, it's fitting that we can produce a storybook Bible which speaks to people all over the world. And launching it at the CTBF also gives us an opportunity to showcase quality South African products to a targeted local and international audience interested in books and reading, which is something to be celebrated and embraced," said Tutu.