Children and young adults in Aotearoa are particularly attuned to natural disasters. In today's book list, Miriam Hurst delves into disaster literature from here and other shaky, volatile places around our world. Then Snufkin said slowly: “It would be awful if the earth exploded. It’s so beautiful.” -Tove Jansson, Comet in Moominland One of the first books I remember reading is Tove Jansson’s Comet in Moominland, an exquisitely terrifying mix of cosiness and catastrophe. Vis

Verse novels have been around for a number of years now and while they may never flood the market, their appeal is growing and becoming more and more a part of mainstream young adult literature. Desna Wallace introduces us to some of the best. A verse novel isn't just a bunch of poems thrown together with a common theme - it's a complete narrative. Language and emotion are strong elements in a verse novel and just as important as the characters themselves. At their core, narr

In response to a request The Sapling put out on Twitter, teacher and author Sarina Dickson has compiled this wonderful list of New Zealand titles for those young readers who have finished Harry Potter and are reading above their age level at primary school. Advanced readers, assemble! As a child I loved to read. By the age of eight, I was reading anything I could get my hands on and in desperation had moved onto the books my mother had read. I read all about what Katy did at

There are more ethnicities in New Zealand than countries in the world. So why is it so difficult to find New Zealand picture books that represent this diversity? Nida Fiazi searches out some exceptional New Zealand and international picture books that have something special to offer all children. As a person of colour and an avid reader, I often seek out stories written by and about other POC. I think it’s important for us to take control of our own narratives and to be able

Helping children deal with obstacles and setbacks is a core part of parenting and teaching. Today education lecturer and writer Frank Wilson suggests some picture books that can help model these skills - while also being fantastic reads. Detail from Puffin the Architect, by Kimberly Andrews (Puffin/Penguin Random House NZ) If you know a kid at primary school in New Zealand at the moment, you probably will have heard the term 'growth mindset' - this idea is incredibly popular

Today Emmett Roberts, a consent educator, library studies student, and intern with InsideOUT, reflects on what kinds of books young people in the LGBTIQ+ community - and beyond it - need, and gives us some recommendations to check out, from picture books to YA. Detail from the cover of Julián is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love Books play a huge role in the way we learn to understand the world around us, and the way we understand ourselves. When it comes to gender identity and sexu

Disability consultant, activist and blogger Robyn Hunt suggests 21 books, from picture books to YA, that illuminate experiences of disability. Designing a book list for children and YA on disability is difficult. Such books are not usually at the top of the bestseller list, especially in a small market like New Zealand. Sadly local examples were few and far between, which is a little disappointing, but there are some gems to be found. These books are important as we struggle

Author Sue Copsey explores the world of New Zealand Junior Fiction, discovering plenty of titles that are just as good as the internationals. Our bestseller lists for kids’ books can make frustrating reading if you’re a New Zealand children’s author. At the time of writing, in the International children's & YA Top 10 there are two titles by David Walliams, three by Andy Griffiths (Treehouse series), and one each by bestseller regulars Jeff Kinney (Wimpy Kid series), and Dav P