Picture Books

Review: Mysterious birds, angry roosters and a No

Annelies Judson reviews three new picture books. Alice and the Strange Bird, written and illustrated by Isaac du Toit Isaac du Toit is a talented artist, and illustrated multiple picture books before the age of 20. Last year he won…

Review: Easter, in brief

Harriet Elworthy shares quickfire reviews for two new Easter publications. First, let me admit that I came to these reviews a little begrudgingly as I’m wary of books published around marketable events in the calendar. There’s nothing inherently wrong with…

The 2025 Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day

Annelies Judson attended the Storylines Awards Day and shares her reflections on the event. It is 10.45 am on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I am at the National Library in Tāmaki Makaurau. In the entrance area, people are given a…

Review: tractors, scooters, storms and islands

Alex Adank and Becks Popham review four new picture books. The Tractor Has A Wobbly Wheel, by Tim Saunders and Carla Martell A new picture book from Tim Saunders, writer and farmer, and Carla Martell (best known for last year’s…

The NZ Booklovers Awards

The winners of the NZ Booklovers Awards will be announced at the end of the week. Before we find out who takes out the picture book, junior fiction and young adult prizes, we spoke with the Booklovers team to find…

The Sapling’s best reads of 2024

We asked The Sapling’s editors and contributors for their best reads of the year. The criteria was broad: recent books preferred but not strictly enforced, titles from Aotearoa or overseas and books for babies to young adults. Here’s what we…

From the Shop Floor: bookseller recommendations for Christmas

Babies to eight year olds edition. Avid book collectors know that some of the best informed opinions on books are found over the counter at your local bookstore, so we’ve asked Aotearoa’s specialist children’s booksellers what they’re recommending for Christmas…

Across the Ditch: Inda Ahmad Zahri

Australian author Inda Ahmad Zahri finds a moment between writing, illustrating, being a doctor, campaigning for social justice and parenting to answer some questions about what inspires her diverse work and just where she finds the time. Nida Fiazi (NF):…

A day in the life: Rebecca ter Borg

Illustrator Rebecca ter Borg recently collaborated on her first picture book, The Witch of Maketu, with Anika Moa. She shares a day in her life as a creative with blurred boundaries between work and life… I work from home in…