Esti Pienaar
@estipienaar.bsky.social
🌿 Author, Illustrator & Educator | Plant-Based 🌱 | Environmental Enthusiast 🐾| Inspiring young minds through creativity and care for our planet 🌍
My new book, "Lantern Tales: Simplified Chinese stories for ESL Learners" will be available 15 December. I can't wait to share these beloved stories I've adapted while honouring their cultural significance. #authorlife #chinesefolktales #esl
December 8, 2025 at 9:59 PM
My new book, "Lantern Tales: Simplified Chinese stories for ESL Learners" will be available 15 December. I can't wait to share these beloved stories I've adapted while honouring their cultural significance. #authorlife #chinesefolktales #esl
Title: The Vegetarian
Author: Han Kang
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Phenomenal. Incredible. Superb.
I'm late to the party on this one but if you haven't read it yet, please do yourself a favour!
Get your copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Author: Han Kang
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Phenomenal. Incredible. Superb.
I'm late to the party on this one but if you haven't read it yet, please do yourself a favour!
Get your copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
December 3, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Title: The Vegetarian
Author: Han Kang
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Phenomenal. Incredible. Superb.
I'm late to the party on this one but if you haven't read it yet, please do yourself a favour!
Get your copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Author: Han Kang
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Phenomenal. Incredible. Superb.
I'm late to the party on this one but if you haven't read it yet, please do yourself a favour!
Get your copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
December 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Title: Under the Tulip Tree
Author: Michelle Shocklee (Sarah Zimmerman)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderful story, expertly narrated. Christian Historical Fiction is not quite my thing, but it is a lovely story.
#booksky
Get your paperback copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/unde...
Author: Michelle Shocklee (Sarah Zimmerman)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderful story, expertly narrated. Christian Historical Fiction is not quite my thing, but it is a lovely story.
#booksky
Get your paperback copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/unde...
November 29, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Title: Under the Tulip Tree
Author: Michelle Shocklee (Sarah Zimmerman)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderful story, expertly narrated. Christian Historical Fiction is not quite my thing, but it is a lovely story.
#booksky
Get your paperback copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/unde...
Author: Michelle Shocklee (Sarah Zimmerman)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderful story, expertly narrated. Christian Historical Fiction is not quite my thing, but it is a lovely story.
#booksky
Get your paperback copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/unde...
Title: Artemis (Audiobook)
Author: Andy Weir (Rosario Dawson)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not as popular as Weir's other books but I loved it. Great female lead and a very good story on top of it. Great narration by Dawson.
#booksky
Not into audiobooks? Get your paperback:
bookshop.org/p/books/arte...
Author: Andy Weir (Rosario Dawson)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not as popular as Weir's other books but I loved it. Great female lead and a very good story on top of it. Great narration by Dawson.
#booksky
Not into audiobooks? Get your paperback:
bookshop.org/p/books/arte...
November 23, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Title: Artemis (Audiobook)
Author: Andy Weir (Rosario Dawson)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not as popular as Weir's other books but I loved it. Great female lead and a very good story on top of it. Great narration by Dawson.
#booksky
Not into audiobooks? Get your paperback:
bookshop.org/p/books/arte...
Author: Andy Weir (Rosario Dawson)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not as popular as Weir's other books but I loved it. Great female lead and a very good story on top of it. Great narration by Dawson.
#booksky
Not into audiobooks? Get your paperback:
bookshop.org/p/books/arte...
Title: The Silmarillion (Audiobook)
Author: JRR Tolkien (Read by Andy Serkis)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another stellar performance by Serkis. However you need to really be a Tolkien fan to sit through this one. It's fascinating to see how creative Tolkien was and all the things he dreamed up.
#booksky
Author: JRR Tolkien (Read by Andy Serkis)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another stellar performance by Serkis. However you need to really be a Tolkien fan to sit through this one. It's fascinating to see how creative Tolkien was and all the things he dreamed up.
#booksky
November 21, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Title: The Silmarillion (Audiobook)
Author: JRR Tolkien (Read by Andy Serkis)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another stellar performance by Serkis. However you need to really be a Tolkien fan to sit through this one. It's fascinating to see how creative Tolkien was and all the things he dreamed up.
#booksky
Author: JRR Tolkien (Read by Andy Serkis)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another stellar performance by Serkis. However you need to really be a Tolkien fan to sit through this one. It's fascinating to see how creative Tolkien was and all the things he dreamed up.
#booksky
Curiosity leads to the most magical discoveries! Monkey Banana Beginnings is the first in a series and tells the story of how a curious little monkey finds a magical banana suit in the jungle that gives him special powers!
#kidsliterature #picturebook
#kidsliterature #picturebook
October 18, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Curiosity leads to the most magical discoveries! Monkey Banana Beginnings is the first in a series and tells the story of how a curious little monkey finds a magical banana suit in the jungle that gives him special powers!
#kidsliterature #picturebook
#kidsliterature #picturebook
Poor old Stick Man! Life is hard if you are constantly being mistaken for something else other than a family man! Fantastic story to read over Christmas time with a great twist. Axel Sheffler and Julia Donaldson produced another classic!
#picturebooks #reading #kidslit
#picturebooks #reading #kidslit
October 7, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Poor old Stick Man! Life is hard if you are constantly being mistaken for something else other than a family man! Fantastic story to read over Christmas time with a great twist. Axel Sheffler and Julia Donaldson produced another classic!
#picturebooks #reading #kidslit
#picturebooks #reading #kidslit
It is Mid-Autumn Festival and time for a round-up of the best mooncakes 🥮 in Hong Kong!
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/10/moon...
#mooncakes #midautumnfestival
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/10/moon...
#mooncakes #midautumnfestival
October 5, 2025 at 12:50 PM
It is Mid-Autumn Festival and time for a round-up of the best mooncakes 🥮 in Hong Kong!
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/10/moon...
#mooncakes #midautumnfestival
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/10/moon...
#mooncakes #midautumnfestival
Title: The Secret Life of Groceries
Author: Benjamin Lorr
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A compelling expose delving into the grocery industry. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Lorr uncovers the complex supply chains, labour practices, and economic forces that shape the way we shop for #food.
Author: Benjamin Lorr
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A compelling expose delving into the grocery industry. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Lorr uncovers the complex supply chains, labour practices, and economic forces that shape the way we shop for #food.
October 4, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Title: The Secret Life of Groceries
Author: Benjamin Lorr
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A compelling expose delving into the grocery industry. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Lorr uncovers the complex supply chains, labour practices, and economic forces that shape the way we shop for #food.
Author: Benjamin Lorr
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A compelling expose delving into the grocery industry. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Lorr uncovers the complex supply chains, labour practices, and economic forces that shape the way we shop for #food.
A fantastic book if you want the kids to join in. There are actions and words easy enough for young kids and ESL primary school students love it too! All around fun for everyone reading it! This special edition cover is something else, I just had to add it to my bookshelf.
#picturebook #kidslit
#picturebook #kidslit
September 26, 2025 at 9:06 AM
A fantastic book if you want the kids to join in. There are actions and words easy enough for young kids and ESL primary school students love it too! All around fun for everyone reading it! This special edition cover is something else, I just had to add it to my bookshelf.
#picturebook #kidslit
#picturebook #kidslit
I will never tire of this book. Every time I read it to my students they burst into song. Melodic, fun and teaching a lesson about resilience is Pete the Cat's game. Highly recommend this for ESL students!
#picturebooks #kidslit #esl
#picturebooks #kidslit #esl
September 23, 2025 at 3:27 AM
I will never tire of this book. Every time I read it to my students they burst into song. Melodic, fun and teaching a lesson about resilience is Pete the Cat's game. Highly recommend this for ESL students!
#picturebooks #kidslit #esl
#picturebooks #kidslit #esl
Title: Cheaper Faster Better
Author: Tom Steyer
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have some strong opinions about the author and some questions:
How do you separate the author from his work? Should you separate the author from his work? Can people change?
#books
Read more here: eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/07/revi...
Author: Tom Steyer
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have some strong opinions about the author and some questions:
How do you separate the author from his work? Should you separate the author from his work? Can people change?
#books
Read more here: eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/07/revi...
September 15, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Title: Cheaper Faster Better
Author: Tom Steyer
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have some strong opinions about the author and some questions:
How do you separate the author from his work? Should you separate the author from his work? Can people change?
#books
Read more here: eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/07/revi...
Author: Tom Steyer
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have some strong opinions about the author and some questions:
How do you separate the author from his work? Should you separate the author from his work? Can people change?
#books
Read more here: eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/07/revi...
This book is a hoot! If you want to see BJ Novak read it the video is available on YouTube. Every time I read it to a new group of students, they have these puzzled expressions in the beginning and at the end they are dying of laughter. Just an exceptional book!
#kidsliterature #reading
#kidsliterature #reading
September 11, 2025 at 9:28 AM
This book is a hoot! If you want to see BJ Novak read it the video is available on YouTube. Every time I read it to a new group of students, they have these puzzled expressions in the beginning and at the end they are dying of laughter. Just an exceptional book!
#kidsliterature #reading
#kidsliterature #reading
Title: The Hobbit
Author: JRR Tolkien (ready by Andy Serkis)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can't go wrong with the combination of Tolkien and Serkis. Absolutely loved the audiobook version. (In the Covid-19 pandemic Serkis read this book in a 9 hour continuous sitting to entertain us - what a guy!) #booksky
Author: JRR Tolkien (ready by Andy Serkis)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can't go wrong with the combination of Tolkien and Serkis. Absolutely loved the audiobook version. (In the Covid-19 pandemic Serkis read this book in a 9 hour continuous sitting to entertain us - what a guy!) #booksky
September 7, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Title: The Hobbit
Author: JRR Tolkien (ready by Andy Serkis)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can't go wrong with the combination of Tolkien and Serkis. Absolutely loved the audiobook version. (In the Covid-19 pandemic Serkis read this book in a 9 hour continuous sitting to entertain us - what a guy!) #booksky
Author: JRR Tolkien (ready by Andy Serkis)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can't go wrong with the combination of Tolkien and Serkis. Absolutely loved the audiobook version. (In the Covid-19 pandemic Serkis read this book in a 9 hour continuous sitting to entertain us - what a guy!) #booksky
Title: Revenge of the tipping point
Author: Malcom Gladwell
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An excellent audio book. I am fascinated by the "recipe" used for writing these types of books, and Gladwell is the master. I always like it when the author reads their own book, not all can, Gladwell surely can.
#booksky
Author: Malcom Gladwell
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An excellent audio book. I am fascinated by the "recipe" used for writing these types of books, and Gladwell is the master. I always like it when the author reads their own book, not all can, Gladwell surely can.
#booksky
September 4, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Title: Revenge of the tipping point
Author: Malcom Gladwell
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An excellent audio book. I am fascinated by the "recipe" used for writing these types of books, and Gladwell is the master. I always like it when the author reads their own book, not all can, Gladwell surely can.
#booksky
Author: Malcom Gladwell
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An excellent audio book. I am fascinated by the "recipe" used for writing these types of books, and Gladwell is the master. I always like it when the author reads their own book, not all can, Gladwell surely can.
#booksky
It's the one year anniversary of the publication Monkey Banana Beginnings! Let's celebrate! 🥳 Send us a screenshot of your Youtube subscription www.youtube.com/@iammonkeyba...
First 5 subscribers wins a free copy!
Let's go bananas for nature!
#giveaway #picturebooks
First 5 subscribers wins a free copy!
Let's go bananas for nature!
#giveaway #picturebooks
August 31, 2025 at 3:14 AM
It's the one year anniversary of the publication Monkey Banana Beginnings! Let's celebrate! 🥳 Send us a screenshot of your Youtube subscription www.youtube.com/@iammonkeyba...
First 5 subscribers wins a free copy!
Let's go bananas for nature!
#giveaway #picturebooks
First 5 subscribers wins a free copy!
Let's go bananas for nature!
#giveaway #picturebooks
What about this documentary rings true today. Read the review here:
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/07/docu...
and then decide for yourself if you are going to watch it. (PS: it might just change your life for the better!)
#health
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/07/docu...
and then decide for yourself if you are going to watch it. (PS: it might just change your life for the better!)
#health
August 30, 2025 at 1:03 AM
What about this documentary rings true today. Read the review here:
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/07/docu...
and then decide for yourself if you are going to watch it. (PS: it might just change your life for the better!)
#health
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/07/docu...
and then decide for yourself if you are going to watch it. (PS: it might just change your life for the better!)
#health
Oi Dog! from the creators of Oi Frog! is a linguistic joy! Rhyme words, unexpected animals and a hilarious ending. A great story and lots of fun to read!
#picturebooks
#picturebooks
August 27, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Oi Dog! from the creators of Oi Frog! is a linguistic joy! Rhyme words, unexpected animals and a hilarious ending. A great story and lots of fun to read!
#picturebooks
#picturebooks
This is one of my favourite restaurants in Hong Kong! Here in Quarry bay. It is a must visit for anybody! Their food is fresh, wholesome and made with care and joy!
#plantbased
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/06/revi...
#plantbased
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/06/revi...
August 24, 2025 at 1:02 AM
This is one of my favourite restaurants in Hong Kong! Here in Quarry bay. It is a must visit for anybody! Their food is fresh, wholesome and made with care and joy!
#plantbased
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/06/revi...
#plantbased
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/06/revi...
Title: Intermediate French Short Stories
Author: Lingo Mastery
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm on the cusp of intermediate, and sometimes I find the stories just too difficult and frustrating, but not with this book. These were just perfect for my level.
#languagelearning
Author: Lingo Mastery
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm on the cusp of intermediate, and sometimes I find the stories just too difficult and frustrating, but not with this book. These were just perfect for my level.
#languagelearning
August 23, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Title: Intermediate French Short Stories
Author: Lingo Mastery
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm on the cusp of intermediate, and sometimes I find the stories just too difficult and frustrating, but not with this book. These were just perfect for my level.
#languagelearning
Author: Lingo Mastery
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm on the cusp of intermediate, and sometimes I find the stories just too difficult and frustrating, but not with this book. These were just perfect for my level.
#languagelearning
I love stories about Africa and the animals that reside there. This is a classic tale about facing your fears and unexpected friendships! A lovely bedtime read. #booksky
August 22, 2025 at 8:57 AM
I love stories about Africa and the animals that reside there. This is a classic tale about facing your fears and unexpected friendships! A lovely bedtime read. #booksky
Title: Everything is Tuberculosis
Author: John Green
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an incredible book and by far my favourite of his books I have read to date. An extremely worthy cause, insanely researched, and beautifully presented. Thank you for writing it @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social
#booksky
Author: John Green
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an incredible book and by far my favourite of his books I have read to date. An extremely worthy cause, insanely researched, and beautifully presented. Thank you for writing it @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social
#booksky
August 21, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Title: Everything is Tuberculosis
Author: John Green
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an incredible book and by far my favourite of his books I have read to date. An extremely worthy cause, insanely researched, and beautifully presented. Thank you for writing it @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social
#booksky
Author: John Green
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an incredible book and by far my favourite of his books I have read to date. An extremely worthy cause, insanely researched, and beautifully presented. Thank you for writing it @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social
#booksky
Are you a nature lover? This is one of the most beautiful documentaries I've ever watched! Highly recommend it!
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/06/docu...
#naturedocumentary
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/06/docu...
#naturedocumentary
August 18, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Are you a nature lover? This is one of the most beautiful documentaries I've ever watched! Highly recommend it!
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/06/docu...
#naturedocumentary
eco-esti.blogspot.com/2025/06/docu...
#naturedocumentary
Title: Xiaoming's Day
Author: HSK Academy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've been trying to learn Mandarin for yonks because I want to read Chinese books and so far it has been slow going. Then I stumbled on these short little books and it has definitely made a difference for me.
#languagelearning
Author: HSK Academy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've been trying to learn Mandarin for yonks because I want to read Chinese books and so far it has been slow going. Then I stumbled on these short little books and it has definitely made a difference for me.
#languagelearning
August 17, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Title: Xiaoming's Day
Author: HSK Academy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've been trying to learn Mandarin for yonks because I want to read Chinese books and so far it has been slow going. Then I stumbled on these short little books and it has definitely made a difference for me.
#languagelearning
Author: HSK Academy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've been trying to learn Mandarin for yonks because I want to read Chinese books and so far it has been slow going. Then I stumbled on these short little books and it has definitely made a difference for me.
#languagelearning