Fascinating facts aren't just found in Frank Worsley's famous expedition to Antarctica, but also in our local shores, with captivating creatures and interesting snippets about our current Prime Minister. Writer Raymond Huber reviews two exciting new non-fiction books from publisher New Holland and Sapling's Sarah Forster reviews the latest biography by David Hill and Phoebe Morris. Ice Breaker! An Epic Antarctic Adventure, by Maria Gill, Illustrated by Alastair Hughes (New Ho

It’s the writing fellowship with the really long name – the University of Otago College of Education Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer in Residence. But more importantly, it’s the only children’s fellowship in the country and applications for 2019 close on Friday, 1 June. The Robert Lord Cottage on Titan Street where children’s fellows can stay Ruth Corrin was the first fellow in 1992 when it was run by the Dunedin College of Education and since then the list reads like

Gecko, by Raymond Huber, illustrated by Brian Lovelock is the second Nature Storybook title from its creators. The book introduces the very young to the world of the gecko, one of the most varied lizard species on the planet. Keep your hands and brain busy with glue, tape and scissors – and have crafty fun with Fifi: make a gecko that climbs the walls. 1. What you need 2. Download and Print the Template 3. Colour in your template 4. Cut them out 5. Fold his nose 6. Tape Gecko

Raymond Huber's childhood was enriched by the stories of the Moomins, told by Tove Jansson. Here, he tells us about moomintrolls, hattifatteners and more. Huber's most recent title, Gecko, illustated by Brian Lovelock, was released this month. Raymond Huber and his young grandson I’ve just started my grandsons on the Moomin novels and I’m delighted to see they can still captivate. These books by Tove Jansson are, I think, the perfect children’s stories – thrilling, comforting

Children's author, writing teacher and editor Raymond Huber is fascinated by the way in which children's writers have used picture books historically to fight dictators. This is especially apt right now (ahem), so here are a few books he would recommend. The final page of The Story of Ferdinand (1936) shows Ferdinand after he has returned from the bullrings of Madrid. He sits peacefully on his hill. Image source: A Subversive Bull: Robert Lawson and the Story of Ferdinand. A