Ned Barraud

2024 NZCYA Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction Finalists

The Non-Fiction shortlist is absolutely top class. We asked the finalists to pose a couple of questions to each other about their books. Read our comments about the books in all the categories here. Selina Tusitala Marsh asks Gavin Bishop……

Reviews: Six Non-Fiction Nature Books

Sapling editor and self-confessed nature nerd, Linda Jane Keegan, reviews an amazing selection of books about the world around us. Look up close at tiny creatures from land to sea, to far, far away into the night sky. These would…

Book List: Books for Sea Week

Sea Week is coming up next month so editor Linda Jane has put together an ocean-themed list, with non-fiction books covering from the shore to the deep sea. Look, I love any excuse to talk about both nature and books…

Reviews: Four Non-Fiction Nature Books

Linda Jane Keegan is back with another round of non-fiction reviews, this time with a selection of picture books all about the unique flora and fauna that we share our environment with. Where is it in town? by Ned Barraud…

Book Reviews: The latest in Aotearoa Non-Fiction

Nida Fiazi reviews four wonderful new wildlife titles and a must-have activity book for the upcoming summer holidays. My Little Book of Bugs / Taku Pukapuka iti mō ngā Pepeke by Te Papa (edited by Julia Kaper & Phil Sirvid,…

Book Reviews: Fresh Aotearoa Non-fiction

It has been a tremendous year for children’s non-fiction literature from little old Aotearoa. Here’s our last batch of reviews for 2019, where bookseller and editor Briar Lawry checks out some marvellous marine titles and a graphic memoir that has…

Book List: Which New Zealand Nature Guide?

Do you know any kids who love to explore and discover? Nature lover and environmental educator Linda Jane Keegan gives a rundown of New Zealand native species identification guides and other non-fiction nature books. When I was a kid, I…

Book Awards: the Non-Fiction finalists

Another week, another category of NZCYA Award finalists to highlight! Today, it’s the Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction finalists, answering questions about the hows and the whys of their fabulous books. From backyards, burrows and biographies to legends and linework,…

Best Picture Books for New New Zealanders

Hearing the wonderful news that six more towns are going to be Refugee Resettlement centres, we got thinking about what books might provide the best and friendliest introduction to a new life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Here’s our starting list…

Book Reviews: Factual Books from NZ

Are your kids intersted in the wilder world? Or do they love to cook? These books have tips on how to save the environment, and what you will find there if you look hard enough, reviewed by mother and journalist…