This month’s instalment of the Mahy Questionnaire features award-winning illustrator Sarah Wilkins! Sarah does editorial, educational, and promotional art in addition to illustrating children’s books. Her most recent picture book, the beautiful Abigail and the Restless RaiMatndrop, is out now!…
Children’s authors Matthew Cunningham and Susan Brocker caught up over email to talk story ideas, inspiration, and wrangling animals in text. Matthew is the author of the Abigail series, the most recent of which is Abigail and the Restless Raindrop…
The Sapling’s Simie Simpson, a long-time fan girl of award-winning, Australian picture book author and illustrator Bob Graham, literally bombards him with questions about his books: what it takes to create books that speak to us, stand the test of…
You know it, you love it – it’s the Mahy Questionnaire! This month we are featuring award-winning author Melinda Szymanik. Read on to find out her takes on information bombs, babysitting shadows, and brownie-green coloured cars named ‘Poopalata’. 1. Describe…
Another week, another category of NZCYA Award finalists to highlight! Today, it’s the Best First Book finalists, answering questions about the hows and the whys of their fabulous books. From supermarket noticeboards, bungalows and large, mixed whānau to gardens and…
Green MP Golriz Ghahraman made history as the first refugee to be sworn into the New Zealand parliament. She has just published her first book, Know Your Place, detailing her journey to, and life in, Aotearoa. Editor Nida Fiazi catches…
Co-founder of The Sapling Jane Arthur has a long-standing interest in educational publishing – so when the opportunity came along to pick the brain of Clean Slate Press’ Frances McBeath, it was the perfect match. Read on to learn more…
Here’s a fresh instalment of the Margaret Mahy Questionnaire, featuring author-illustrator Kat Quin. Read on for her takes on changeovers, rattlebang cars and sonsense nongs! 1. Describe yourself in three words I’m still learning. 2. During the height of adolescence,…
Australian author Sandy Fussell has written a wide range of historical junior fiction and even a picture book that has impacted on the lives of her readers. It is part of the reason she keeps writing. Michael Earp writes about…
Heather Hunt has made a name for herself as a go-to illustrator for evocative illustrations for picture books about native manu, especially kiwi! In her latest work – Mr Kiwi Has An Important Job – Heather took on the role…