A picture book by Jacqueline Dean

Magic in my Marks

A little girl thinks her marks make her different. Then she discovers they make her part of something magical.

Every spot tells a story

About the Book

A little girl feels alone because of the marks on her skin. She hides them, and watches the other children play from the edge of the playground.

Then the magic begins. A dappled horse, a spotted leopard, a freckled giraffe and a tiny ladybird show her that her marks are not something to hide. They are her magic, and they connect her to the wonder all around her.

A gentle story about belonging, self-acceptance, and seeing the beauty in what makes us different.

Save the date

Join Us at the Launch

We would love you to join us as we celebrate the launch of Magic in my Marks. Our Cape Town evening is now fully booked, but there are still spaces at our Johannesburg morning.

Cape Town

Fully booked

Thursday 3 September 2026 · from 6pm

Kelvin Grove, 144 Campground Road, Newlands

Our main launch celebration, with a short Q&A with the author, illustrator and other special guests, followed by a reading of the book. This event is now fully booked and RSVPs have closed. Thank you for such a wonderful response.

Johannesburg

Spaces available

Saturday 5 September 2026 · from 10am

Nursery Party Venue, 82B 5th Road, Chartwell

A more relaxed morning of coffee, chats and play. Children are very welcome. There are still spaces, so do come and join us.

Cape Town is fully booked, so RSVPs are for the Johannesburg morning only.

If you have ordered a book, you are welcome to collect it at either launch event. If you are unable to attend, collection and delivery options are available at checkout.

Close your eyes and believe

The Magic

When she stops hiding and starts to wonder, the whole world opens up, full of colour, creatures and marks just like hers.

⭐

Self-Acceptance

Helps children see their differences as something to celebrate.

🤍

Belonging

Gentle reassurance for any child who has felt they stand out.

📖

Read Aloud

A rhythmic story made for sharing.

💬

Conversation

Opens up kind talk about skin, marks and being different.

Marks are everywhere

The Magic in Nature

The spotted leopard
The freckled giraffe
Marks just like mine
Did you know?
Black Panther

A black panther gets its dark coat from extra melanin, which is the same natural pigment that gives colour to skin, hair and eyes.

Leopard

Leopards have beautiful rosette-shaped spots that help them blend into the shadows and patterns of the wild.

Giraffe

Every giraffe has its own unique patch pattern, like a fingerprint.

Ladybird

A ladybird's bright colour and spots can warn predators that it may not be a tasty snack.

Dalmatian

Dalmatian puppies are born mostly white, and their famous spots appear as they grow.

Appaloosa

Appaloosa horses are known for their striking spotted coats, and their patterns can look different from horse to horse.

Whale Shark

Each whale shark has its own unique pattern of spots, which scientists can use to recognise individual whale sharks.

Get your copy

Magic in my Marks

by Jacqueline Dean
R 250.00
  • Soft cover
  • 279 × 216mm, 32 pages
  • Human-drawn illustrations

How to get your copy

Every copy is R250 — choose how to receive it at checkout:

  • Collect at the Cape Town launch (3 Sep) or the Johannesburg launch (5 Sep) — no delivery charge
  • Collect from us in Newlands, Cape Town — no delivery charge
  • Or have it delivered to you (+R80) — free delivery on orders over R500
The storyteller

Jacqueline Dean

Magic in my Marks, Jacqueline Dean's debut picture book, is dedicated to every person who has ever felt a little different. Jacqueline was inspired to write it after the birth of her daughter, Emily, who was born with CMN. Watching Emily grow has been the most rewarding part of Jacqueline's life, and through this story she hopes to bring a little more understanding and compassion into the world. She lives in Cape Town with her family.

Magic in my Marks
by Jacqueline Dean
R250