It has been a tremendous year for children's non-fiction literature from little old Aotearoa. Here's our last batch of reviews for 2019, where bookseller and editor Briar Lawry checks out some marvellous marine titles and a graphic memoir that has completely stolen her heart. Mophead, by Selina Tusitala Marsh (Auckland University Press) When I heard that Selina Tusitala Marsh was writing a graphic memoir, I’m not quite sure what I expected. I knew it was something I’d be inte

From curious noises to sneaky felines to whānau-focused native birds, we've got a cracker of a line-up of new Kiwi picture books in this set of reviews. Early childhood teacher Alana Bird gives us her takes. Hoihoi Turituri, by Soledad Bravi (Gecko Press) Hoihoi Turituri is the te reo Māori edition of Soledad Bravi’s The Noisy Book. With 116 brightly illustrated pages, this compact little board book is great for infants and toddlers. Onomatopoeia is an excellent way to engage

Each of these three new non-fiction titles presents fascinating information in an engaging and imaginative way. Coincidentally, they all deal with themes of journeys and/or exploration. Gillian Candler wrote a Reckoning about factual books, while Maria Gill had some thoughts on creative non-fiction, and Ned Barraud took us through a day in the life. Here, Philippa Werry reviews their latest work. Toroa's Journey, by Maria Gill, illustrated by Gavin Mouldey Maria Gill’s twin p

The superb New Zealand writer and illustrator team, Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud, have recently released their sixth collaboration in the Explore and Discover series, Up the River. Today Ned gives us a peek behind the scenes and tells us about the daily life of a New Zealand illustrator. Inside spread from From Moa to Dinosaurs, by Gillian Candler, illustrated by Ned Barraud, before the text is overlaid. Thalia Kehoe Rowden, for The Sapling: Is there such a thing as an ave