If there is one thing we can be sure of in New Zealand publishing, it's that there will be at least a dozen kiwi books published over the year. This batch of reviews includes three books including kiwi that are a cut above, as well as a new book by Stephanie Thatcher featuring a very monstrous mummy. The Midnight Adventures of Kiwi and Ruru, by Clare Scott, illustrated by Amy Haarhoff This book tells the story of kiwi and ruru, to the tune of classic poem ‘the owl and the pus

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

Australian author and editor Davina Bell is an exceptional storyteller for kids aged 2 to 12. Her broad range of books include picture books like Under the Love Umbrella (Scribble) and her most recent All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors (Hardie Grant), early reader series Lemonade Jones (Allen & Unwin), historical junior fiction ballet series The Alice Stories (Penguin), and absolutely wonderful middle grade fiction in the guise of the Corner Park Clubhouse series (Hard

Sarah Forster reviews another fantastic YA book by Eileen Merriman, and a book by Philippa Werry telling a WW1 story from the perspective of a 14-year-old girl at home, working as a telegram delivery girl. Both books are well-written and highly recommended. Invisibly Breathing, by Eileen Merriman How on Earth is Eileen Merriman writing a book a year and making each one better than the previous one?! This tale of two troubled 16-year-olds finding in each other an oasis from e

The only thing these two books have in common is that they are absolutely stunning, and they are broadly for a junior fiction age range. The Dog Runner, by Bren MacDibble, is another well-told ecological story; while Jillion is a journal of writing by talented kids aged 5-13. Sarah Forster recommends them both. The Dog Runner, by Bren MacDibble ‘I saw on the news, before they stopped the TV stations, that there’s no grass anywhere in the whole world no more. No rice in Asia e

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a published writer. As I grew older, I became more cynical about my chances, and stopped trying. The first thing I thought when unwrapping Toitoi and Write On is that there is no wannabe child writer in New Zealand who should feel negative about their opportunities for publication any more. These two fantastic publications are dedicated to celebrating the rich creativity of our young people, in the form of writing and illustration. 'As I stand

What makes a bestselling New Zealand kids book? This list looks at eight of the bestselling kids books and what makes them so popular. Filled with classics and recent gems, everyone should know at least one of the wonderful stories on this list. These are the eight Children's & YA titles in the running for the NZ Bookshop Day Bestseller of the Decade competition. Vote now for your favourite, and let children's books reign supreme! Badjelly the Witch by Spike Milligan (Puffin)

Dear Donald Trump, by Sophie Siers and Anne Villeneuve This book is gold! Dear Donald Trump tells the story, in a series of letters, of a little boy called Sam who doesn’t want to share a room with his older brother any more. His brother plays on his phone after lights out, and steals his stuff. He is done with him – and he wants to build a wall. Sam ... doesn’t want to share a room with his older brother any more. His brother plays on his phone after lights out, and steals h

Split consciousness features in very different ways in these two wonderful junior fiction titles for opposite ends of the audience age group. Sarah Forster tells us what she thinks. Between, by Adele Broadbent (OneTree House) Between had me under its spell from the very start. Written in the first person, it investigates the tensions within the life of a 10-year-old boy who is just beginning to find independence, while looking closer at his own family and wondering about the

This set of reviews includes everything from kidnapping to faraway kingdoms, pig-hunting to the wilds of Fiordland. Three of the books reviewed are by OneTree House, who just this week won a prestigious award at Bologna Children's Book Fair. The first two reviews, of Wedlock and The Empress of Timbra, are by Alisha Tyson; Sarah Forster reviews Sticking with Pigs and Cuz. Wedlock, by Denis Wright 'Thick suffocating fog holds me down … a minute or an hour or a lifetime later I

The Sapling launched exactly one year ago today. Happy first birthday to us! From founding editors Jane Arthur and Sarah Forster, and editor Thalia Kehoe Rowden: thanks to Helena Loy for helping load many of the pieces, Tabitha of LightShade Creative for designing the logo and website, funders Creative New Zealand and Copyright Licensing NZ, and our Boosted supporters. And thanks to you for reading! Here's a personal selection by the editors of some of our favourite pieces so

The first Annual (Gecko Press) was one of the highlights of the Christmas offer in 2016. So it was with shaky hands and much excitement we accepted an early copy of Annual 2 from co-editor Susan Paris for review. This year the book is presented by Annual Ink. It’s here! Annual 2, home of the most intriguing selection of articles for middle-aged kids (you know, 8-13 year olds – and older) you could ever hope to find. If you thought editors Kate De Goldi and Susan Paris had bro

Australian author Zana Fraillon is an observer of the unseen: ‘As an author, I am drawn to the absences and the silences in our world.’ She is drawn in by those voices that aren’t being listened to, the stories that aren’t being heard. Sarah Forster had the opportunity to interview her as The Ones that Disappeared (Hachette) hits bookshop shelves in New Zealand. Zana Fraillon Zana Fraillon began her writing career writing picture books, then moved on to Junior Fiction series

Sarah Forster reviews two recent books, both by debut authors, which are tied together by adventure and its aftermath. Both books go deep inside the emotional experience of dramatic, unpredictable death. Into the White is a retelling for children of Robert Falcon Scott’s Antarctic expedition. We all know how it ended, but how did it begin? And what did they need to go through to get there? This is a creative work of biography pitched at 10+. The lead character’s father in Zeu

The Sapling editor Sarah Forster writes about her childhood spent between New Zealand and Australia, the books she read as a result, and explains why we're making room for the Aussies on this site. Sarah, age ten I lived, from the ages two to six then eight to 11, in a small town called Collie in Western Australia. The rest of the time I was in New Zealand. To a certain extent, the two countries were similar – most children’s literature came from overseas. It seems everybody