Rachel Moore reviews the first two titles in the series for mature junior readers. These books deal with many of the issues our kids face and gives them techniques to cope. You can read the excerpt from the first book, Awa and the Dreamrealm. Note that any purchases made from the links provided will not be dispatched until after the Covid-19 Alert Level decreases to a level where Aotearoa's bookshops are operational again. Awa and the Dreamworld and Into The Labyrinth, by Isa

Rachel Moore has read and reviewed three new books for the middle grade space – two excellent chapter books and a fabulous new non-fiction title full of answers to all manner of curly body-related questions. Avis and the Promise of Dragons, by Heather McQuillan (Ahoy!) This is a fast-paced junior novel that does a lot more than meets the eye. On the surface this is a fantasy novel, about a young girl who takes on a pet-sitting job and ends up minding dragons. However, McQuill

Rachel Moore reviews five new New Zealand picture books, which cover everything from the beauty and brutality of nature, to how to cope with anxiety and bullying. The Promise of Puanga, by Kirsty Wadsworth and Munro Te Whata It’s wonderful to see publishers embracing the multitude of Matariki stories that are out there in Te Ao Māori – we’re all richer for reading them. This new title from Scholastic is no exception; I had heard of the star Puanga but didn’t know its signific

This month's batch of picture books has a lot of beauty, and a lot of adventure. Rachel Moore tells us about them. Oh, So Many Kisses! by Maura Finn and Jenny Cooper Oh, So Many Kisses! is a hug in book form. Perfect for snuggling up with your favourite preschooler in bed, on the couch, or wherever you like to share stories, this is a book about love in all its variations. Not so much a story as a charming description of a multitude of kiss-types, the text is in rhyming verse