Refilwe Modiselle’s debut book is a love letter to representation, resilience, and childhood

Now, she adds another powerful chapter to her journey with the release of her debut children’s book, Zizi’s World: Through Her Vanilla Eyes.

This beautifully illustrated story follows Zizi, a confident young girl with albinism, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after moving to a new city and facing the challenges of being different. Inspired by Refilwe’s own life, the book is a gentle yet profound call to celebrate individuality, foster compassion, and reshape the way children see themselves and others.Far more than a personal tale, Zizi’s World invites readers into conversations about diversity, inclusion, parenting, self-love, and representation, especially at a time when South Africa Continues To Face A Literacy Crisis and a lack of stories that reflect the fullness of its people. Refilwe’s mission is simple but urgent: to make sure every child sees themselves in a story, and learns the value of seeing others, too.

Can you tell us about your new  and upcoming children’s book and what inspired the story?

Zizi’s World: Through Her Vanilla Eyes is a heartwarming and inspiring story that encourages children to celebrate their individuality and to treat others with respect and compassion. The story centres around Zizi, a bright, confident girl with albinism. Thanks to her loving parents, she’s always felt proud of who she is.When her family moves to the big city and Zizi starts primary school, she notices just how many different people there are in the world, and that very few, if any, look like her. For the first time, she feels unsure of herself after experiencing unkindness from some classmates. But with her parents’ support, Zizi learns to embrace her uniqueness and to find strength in it.

Although the story is inspired by walking in my own shoes as a Person Living With Albinism, parts of it are also reflective of the lived experience of others with albinism. While the central theme is albinism, there are many sub-themes that allow for conversations around parenting, self-love, inclusivity, diversity, compassion, respect, and so much more.

How does your personal experience as someone born with albinism shape the narrative or main character

My own experience helps paint a picture of what someone with albinism might go through. But it also shows that, with the right foundation and support, one can develop a strong sense of self—and recognise their own superpowers.

Why did you choose to write for children, and what age group is the book aimed at?

Writing for children came as an opportunity through Lingua Franca Publishers. I’ve always been passionate about children—especially when it comes to shaping positive mindsets and instilling good values early on. Considering the major literacy crisis we face in South Africa, and the decline in a strong reading culture, I saw this as a crucial opportunity.

The book is aimed at children aged 4 to 12—the perfect age range for nurturing understanding around topics they’re not always taught. I wanted children with albinism to see themselves represented, something I never had growing up. But I also wanted to promote the idea of embracing each other’s so-called differences so that we raise children who are self-aware and kinder citizens of the world.

Were there any stories you wish you had read as a child growing up with albinism?

There were absolutely none—which is why I believe God gave me the opportunity to write this book. If you ask the Older Generation whether there’s ever been a story like this, they’ll likely say they’ve never seen anything of its kind. That’s why it’s so significant—it’s the first of its kind, commercially, and aimed at education.

How important is representation in children’s literature—especially for children with visible differences?

Representation helps children and people feel like they belong. It stops them from being seen as “other”. Prejudice and stigma often arise because we haven’t taught one another how to treat each other. False narratives have shaped the wrong kind of thinking. But if we are all represented in literature, we begin to see ourselves in others. Children’s books are powerful tools for shaping the kind of people we’d like to become in the world.

What was your writing process like, especially as a first-time children’s author?

It was daunting at first, I had to figure out the right story to tell, and how best to tell it. I went back and forth with myself, searching for that X-factor. Once the idea struck, I became fully consumed with writing it in a way that I could proudly read it to my niece, or any child, while also keeping adults engaged.

When in doubt, I’d call my best friend or even read it to our housekeeper, because their perspectives were completely different from mine, which helped. When I submitted the Manuscript, I bounced it off the publishers. That process was seamless, thanks to our strong working relationship.

Did you collaborate with illustrators, and if so, how did you ensure they captured your vision and lived experience?

Once the manuscript was ready, I sent a character brief to the publishers outlining how I envisioned the characters. Lingua Franca Publishers took the lead on working with the illustrator, marrying my ideas with their own visual concepts. It was a collaborative effort from both sides. (You’d have to ask them how they found the process! laughs)

What was the most challenging and most rewarding part of publishing this book?

The most challenging part was telling the story in a way that was easy for a child to grasp, while still being meaningful and entertaining. I wanted it to resonate with both children and adults, and at times it got quite emotional.

The most rewarding part? Knowing I did this, I wrote something sincere, mindful, and heartfelt. Becoming a published author is a dream many don’t get to realise. I’m truly grateful.

How does it feel to launch a book in a country where many children still struggle with access to books and reading support? 

It breaks my heart how this is a harsh reality in this country in 2025, which shouldn’t be the case. But I’m hoping a book of this nature will spark or open up the necessary conversations to highlight the importance of reading and having access to that material. We can’t continue with this current pattern of High Level Of Illiteracy, because how do we then ensure we have a country that produces future leaders and people that can compete on a global scale. As a country how do we produce kids that plant back into the economy, kids who are skilled in numerous fields - If children can’t read or comprehend

How can schools, parents, and educators support stories like yours and foster empathy and understanding through books?

It all starts with intention. If parents, schools, and educators approach reading with the right heart, they create a positive culture. We need to bring back the essence of reading and make it part of a child’s development. Buy the books. Read with your children. Start Meaningful Conversations in Life Orientation classes about the books being read. We all need to change our attitudes toward reading and be more involved in how we use books to shape our children.

How do you hope this book will shape how children see others who are different from them

I hope this book will inspire a positive  attitude of embracing each others’ differences at large. I hope it teaches children that it’s ok to not look the same, ultimately we are all made by the same God. Just learn to love and respect others, so you can be given the same in return.