And we’re back!
Begone, hiatus! Lets bring back the most vital space for discussing Aotearoa’s fabulous kids books! Editor Sarah hands over the reins to Linda Jane and both put in a call for greater diversity on the page and behind it. For…
Archives
The Winners of the 2022 NZCYA awards are…
The day has come, the occasion where even a hiatus can’t keep us down! The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults was held on the evening of 10 August, and although distance and lurgy kept Team Sapling…
Day In the Life: DEBORAH HINDE
Deborah Hinde is a Aotearoa illustrator, and her most recent title is Enough: A story about community. She spends her days running her business, PictureBook Publishing, as well as illustrating picture books and working on products for markets. She tells…
The Mahy Questionnaire: Maria Gill
You’re favourite Mahy questionnaire is back! This month, we got award winning non-fiction writer Maria Gill to spill the tea on her changeovers, hauntings and moments of discombobulation. One of her books New Zealand Disasters: Our response, resilience and recovery…
Book List: Fiction for Gamers
Why do we love games? The high-octane fun? The easy access to discovery, adventure, challenge, and endless other draws? Sure. Yes to all of that. But the real kicker? It’s the infinite possibilities. The magical sandbox to play in. A…
The translation of The Whale Rider
In the year 1995, Te Kaieke Tohorā was published—the Māori translation of the book The Whale Rider. We all know that Witi Ihimaera wrote the original, but Sir Tīmoti Kāretu is the man behind the translation. For a long time,…
Writer Interview: Kiri Lightfoot and Shelley Burne-Field on the wairua of writing
Kiri Lightfoot, author of Bear, and Shelley Burne-Field, author of Kimi the Kekeno’s Big Adventure, korero about sources of inspiration, brain blocks and connecting with readers Shelly Burne-Field (SB-F): I’ve been thinking lately how my brain sometimes stands in the…
Imagination and connection: Family itineraries for the Auckland Writers Festival
Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki runs 13–18 May and every year the programme includes events for young readers. We asked Families and Schools Programmer Gabrielle Vincent to tell us about this year’s sessions and give you some itineraries to…
Review: Animals with Personality
Lucy Black reviews new junior fiction from Maria de Jong and Shelley Burne-Field. Two short and accessible novels for young readers with themes of coming of age, exploration, independence and bravery. They both highlight the importance of friendship, slowing down…
From the Shop Floor: Mewington’s Book Shoppe
Mother-daughter team Kate Ellicott and Nicola Gruenwald introduce us to their Foxton bookstore. Mewington’s first opened in July 2023 in a quaint but tiny shop on the main highway through Foxton. With both new and second hand books, plus an…
The Mahy Questionnaire: Rachael Craw
Rachael Craw is the Christchurch-based writer of the Spark trilogy and The Rift. Her latest novel, The Lost Saint, has just been released. 1. Describe yourself in three words: I don’t know how to make these grammatically correct as descriptors…
Holding a Mirror to the City: Auckland Council Libraries Publishing Programme
Great libraries work to collect content that reflects the communities they serve. But what if not enough of that content exists? Claudia Palmer speaks with Kate Innes-Monsalve about the impact of Auckland Council Libraries’ publishing programme five years in and…
Review: Mysterious birds, angry roosters and a No
Annelies Judson reviews three new picture books. Alice and the Strange Bird, written and illustrated by Isaac du Toit Isaac du Toit is a talented artist, and illustrated multiple picture books before the age of 20. Last year he won…
Review: Easter, in brief
Harriet Elworthy shares quickfire reviews for two new Easter publications. First, let me admit that I came to these reviews a little begrudgingly as I’m wary of books published around marketable events in the calendar. There’s nothing inherently wrong with…
Review: books for little ones
Nida Fiazi reviews four board books, with advice from her son. Good Night Belly Button by Lucie Brunellière Gecko Press has slowly been taking over my baby’s library and for good reason. Good Night Belly Button by Lucie Brunellière is…
The 2025 Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day
Annelies Judson attended the Storylines Awards Day and shares her reflections on the event. It is 10.45 am on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I am at the National Library in Tāmaki Makaurau. In the entrance area, people are given a…