Here's a peek at three new non-fiction titles, as reviewed by Esther Kiernan (with a little input from her nine-year-old son). With two biographies – a palaeontologist and a sporting superstar – and one geology book, there's something for every variety of young fact fiend. Dinosaur Hunter: Joan Wiffen's Awesome Fossil Discoveries by David Hill and Phoebe Morris (Penguin Random House) This is the fifth picture book in a series of biographies of heroic New Zealanders, and it’s

Sāmoan illustrator Michel Mulipola recently sat down with Tokelauan/Sāmoan artist Moses Viliamu at the Whitireia Polytechnic Porirua Campus. In this discussion, the two creatives shared their experiences as Pasifika artists and illustrating their respective Pasifika Heroes books –Sāmoan Heroes and Tokelau Heroes, both written by David Riley and published by Reading Warrior. Moses Viliamu was born and raised in Porirua. More known for his fine arts work, he has been a high sc

If you're a teacher, parent or other friendly person supporting children who are learning English, you'll know it's tricky to find good books for them, especially if they're older than five or six. Today specialist teacher Frank Wilson initiates us into the mysteries of what books suit English language learners: what to look for, and some great examples to search out. Recently, I had the privilege to work with a 14-year-old boy from Burma. Not only could he read and write in

Do you want to be sure you're getting top-shelf books for your favourite people this Christmas - or on any gift-giving occasion? We are making it easy for you! Here is our selection of the very best New Zealand books of 2017 for fact-finders. Aotearoa: The New Zealand Story by Gavin Bishop Published by Penguin Random House NZ RRP $40.00 You heard it here: this book is going to win every prize going. Aotearoa tells the story of our nation, from the big bang, via dinosaurs, th

We are excited to present this excerpt from David Riley's Cook Island Heroes, the most recent book in his Pasifika Heroes series. David Riley's book covers a huge spectrum about what a 'hero' is, and mixes legends with true tales of heroic Cook Islanders. He includes leaders, scientists, educators, creative artists, writers, and sportspeople, and many more. David has chosen to share Kevin Iro with The Sapling, because he enjoyed writing about his achievements on and off the R

David Riley is a Reading Warrior. The biographical niche-cramming South Auckland teacher-turned-author’s mission: to get books into the hands of those for whom reading hasn’t come easily. A sense of urgency regarding his students’ needs compelled David to pursue a writing career. 'I had no choice but to do it,' he says. 'The young people I was working with couldn’t find books that were written for Maori and Pacific teenage boys. It forced me, which was cool, because there was