Two YA novels with heavy themes are deftly reviewed by Venice White. Tonight, I Burn is a twist on witch culture and The Sound of My Heart deals with a suicide (reader discretion is advised; mental health resources are listed…
This round of picture book reviews is brought to you by Annelies Judson, featuring books authored by an award-winning creative with over 100 titles published, one of NZ’s longest serving children’s entertainer, two different recipients of the Joy Cowley Award,…
We asked Emma Rutherford to review two tasty new arrivals to Aotearoa’s cookbook genre. Read on to see what she had to say about them. Tails of Tangleby Gardens, by Sue Heazlewood It is hard for me to resist purchasing…
Denika Mead unpacks two (one updated and one new) YA titles in this latest batch of reviews. Blackmail & Lies, by Mary-Anne Scott In Blackmail & Lies, a tense YA novel by New Zealand author, Mary-Anne Scott, sixteen-year-old Finn must…
Sapling co-founder Sarah Forster brings us this latest batch of reviews of junior fiction titles, all featuring animals in some capacity (yes, even extinct ones)! Odd Wolf Out (#1 Faelan the Wolf), by Juliette MacIver I was delighted to see…
Annelies Judson introduces us to some of her favourite interactive books, starting with Press Here, before reviewing Let’s Go, Flo! If you’ve never read an interactive book to a kid, you’re missing out. The idea with these books is that…
Bookseller Pippi Jean finds lots to rave about with four fun, rambunctious picture books. Coney, by David Minty and Greg Parker My first reaction to Coney by David Minty and Greg Parker was of pure, unaccompanied delight. I felt like…
Sapling editor Nida reviews three new picture books where animals are the stars—from snakes, to kiwi, to moa, the whole animal kingdom is here to tell these fun tales! Jungle Jazz, written by Jo van Dam and illustrated by Deborah…
A beautifully produced art activity book based on the art and inspiration of Len Lye. Emma Rutherford checks it out with her kids. Ziggle! is an accessible and fun book of art activities put together by Rebecca Fawkner. Rebecca was able…
Toitoi is a New Zealand magazine that, going forward, will be released once a year, featuring poems and artworks by kids. Eleven-year-old kid Oscar Sweetman shares what he likes about the latest issue. In Toitoi 32, some of the poems…