Book List: Manga for teens
Bee Trudgeon provides an introduction to manga, for grown ups who may be trying to keep up with the kids. Japan has had a failsafe way to attract teens to books for decades, but in Aotearoa the magnetic wonder of…
Graphic Novels
Review: Three adventurous new graphic novels
Three new graphic novels that explore ideas of friendship and adventure. Duffy is determined to help a new friend who is being bullied, Miles and Jones need to save themselves, their parents and their park and Detective Beans is on…
Reviews: Five Fun Picture Books
Transport, friendship, noisy library-users, pizza nights and child-fearing dentists are all covered in this line-up of new Aotearoa picture books. Kay Benseman reviews. Double Dippers (Big Little Blue #3), by Raymond McGrath (Scholastic NZ) This was my first read of a…
The Sampling: Big Little Blue #2—RockyBottoms!
By Raymond McGrath Raymond McGrath’s delightful graphic novel series, Big Little Blue, is all about focusing on different facets of wellbeing to offer children valuable lessons on coping strategies, resilience, and understanding emotions – all wrapped up in a fun…
The Reckoning: Science in Comics
Comics and graphic novels are a wonderful medium for kids and adults alike. Science communicator Katherine Hurst talks us through how science is portrayed in comic form and gives some great examples. It’s 2023, so hopefully there’s nobody out there…
Reviews: Two Graphic Novels
Cartoonist and illustrator Eddie Monotone gives us his hot takes on a story set in a far-distant Aotearoa and a poignant portrayal of bullying. Project Nought, by Chelsey Furedi The premise of Project Nought is simple: what if a teenager…
Reviews: Three New Junior Fiction Releases
This round of junior fiction reviews is brought to you by Lucy Black, featuring a non-fiction graphic novel, a new gold rush-era read, and a story for horse lovers. Moko To The Rescue: Heroic Dolphin of New Zealand, written by Matthew…
Book Reviews: Two YA Books
Cassie Hart reviews two YA books that delve into the mythical realm. From a retelling of Hades and Persephone to a mystery novel with a supernatural twist, these novels are sure to offer ultimate escapism. Lore Olympus Volume Three, by…
Interview with Richard Fairgray
Richard Fairgray is an award-winning creator who has published over 200 titles, ranging from children’s books like Gorillas in Our Midst and My Grandpa Is a Dinosaur to graphic novels like Black Sand Beach, Blastosaurus and Cardboardia. Here, Charlotte Fielding…
THE SAMPLING: Four-color Heroes
By Richard Fairgray Four-Color Heroes is a touching love story which follows two star-crossed young men who—in spite of their disparate backgrounds—find escape and one another through the pages of a comic book. The coming-of-age romance is set in a…