Jane Arthur

Interview: Jane Arthur on Brown Bird

The intimidatingly-talented author of two acclaimed poetry collections, owner of the best fringe in New Zealand lit, and all round book-ish Good Sort sat down with Rachael King to talk about making the leap from poetry to kidlit and the…

Reviews: Two New Books for Middle Readers

Author Cassie Hart reviews two new and deeply personal middle grade reads: one about a shy kid who learns that they might not just be “the sole weirdo on the planet” and a coming-of-age historical fiction that dives into race…

“Let the flavours ripple”: an interview with Paula Green

This year has been huge for Paula Green, the biggest cheerleader of poetry for children in Aotearoa. She’s had two children’s books published, both with Puffin/Penguin Random House NZ. Jane Arthur talks with Paula about these books, poetry, and life….

An Ode (In Prose) To Skinny Dip

Despite the number of world-class poets here in Aotearoa, it’s rare that a collection of contemporary poetry is published by a New Zealand publisher. Briar Lawry could not love it more. In the late single digits, something happens to approximately…

Bookshop List: Good Books from Good books

Good Books is one of the youngest bookshops in the country, only springing to life this past spring. But they have already developed a passionate following, not least because the staff there are some familiar faces to those in the…

Piano lessons, life lessons and Jellybean

Three years ago, give or take, Jane Arthur and Sarah Forster dreamed up The Sapling. One of the first stories on an early schedule of content was this: Jane’s books of her childhood. I am sure you will agree that…

Pondering Poetry: An Interview with Paula Green

Paula Green is one of New Zealand’s most (probably the most) energetic and passionate ambassadors for poetry ever. She has published (as writer or editor) nearly 20 books and runs two fascinating blogs, NZ Poetry Shelf (for adults) and NZ…

Here We Are, Read Us: Disability and Writing

Jane Arthur reviews an enlightening new book celebrating eight New Zealand writers. Here We Are, Read Us: Women, Disability and Writing is a must-have for every school library and classroom, and there’s no excuses: the book is free! This little…

Stories for Boys Who Dare To Be Different

Stories for Boys Who Dare To Be Different (Quercus) is the latest in the worldwide publishing phenomenon that started with Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Here’s editor Jane Arthur’s take on the book and the wider trend. Finally! What…

The Sapling celebrates our first birthday

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…