Interviews

The Reckoning: Decolonising pukapuka on Te Tiriti, Part 2 of 2

Following Part 1 of the discussion about the lack of children’s picture books focused on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Barry McLernon (Te Āti Awa & Pākehā Scottish, Dutch ancestry) and Kay Benseman (Pākehā German, Irish, Scottish, Spanish, English ancestry) kōrero…

HONOURED EARTH: An interview with Bren MacDibble and Zana Fraillon

Rachael King has been enamoured with The Raven’s Song ever since its release last year. Here, she interviews the book’s authors, Bren MacDibble and Zana Frallion, on their creative process, the co-authoring experience, and more. The Raven’s Song burst onto…

The Mahy Questionnaire: Catherine Chidgey

It’s time for the return of the Mahy Questionnaire – and what better way to kick it off again than with literary legend Catherine Chidgey? Devourers of books for grown-ups will be well-acquainted with Catherine’s name, with some serious prizes and plaudits…

“Let the flavours ripple”: an interview with Paula Green

This year has been huge for Paula Green, the biggest cheerleader of poetry for children in Aotearoa. She’s had two children’s books published, both with Puffin/Penguin Random House NZ. Jane Arthur talks with Paula about these books, poetry, and life….

Interview with Richard Fairgray

Richard Fairgray is an award-winning creator who has published over 200 titles, ranging from children’s books like Gorillas in Our Midst and My Grandpa Is a Dinosaur to graphic novels like Black Sand Beach, Blastosaurus and Cardboardia. Here, Charlotte Fielding…

School Librarians of Aotearoa: Mikaela Ellwood

Mikaela Ellwood is the School Librarian at Henderson North School in Tāmaki Makaurau. The school library I am privileged to work in is tucked in a corner of Henderson, on the edge of Auckland. I was welcomed to this role…

Alan Dingley ON BEING A BOOK AWARDS JUDGE – TWICE

Alan Dingley is a Librarian at Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School, former Youth Librarian at Palmerston North City Library’s Youth Space, a presenter of talks and workshops on children’s literature and readers advisory, an award-winning theatre sports extraordinaire, and a…

Co-Interview: Saradha Koirala and Gareth Ward

Saradha Koirala and Gareth Ward recently wrote sequels to YA books. While it was Gareth’s second time writing a sequel, it was Saradha’s first, so we thought we’d get them to have a talk about how you know your story…

Gavin & Whiti: A Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Kōrero

Gavin Bishop is an acclaimed author and illustrator of many beloved children’s books. Amongst his numerous accolades are the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in 2019 and the 2018 Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award for AOTEAROA. Whiti…