Sarah Forster
November 18, 2024
Monsters and Chaos Walking – thirty minutes with Patrick Ness
Patrick Ness, the revered author of the Chaos Walking trilogy, visited New Zealand last week for events at Verb Wellington and Auckland Writers Festival. Sarah Forster watched his Wellington events and spent thirty minutes having him sign her sizable collection…
Jess Starr
November 15, 2024
A Stack of Librarians: the 2024 SLANZA conference
Librarian Jess Starr brings us highlights and insights from He Puāwaitanga—Growing Communities, Developing Knowledge and Building Confidence, the School Library Association’s 2024 conference. My tickets were booked, my cardigan was packed. I’d been practising my shushing all week and was…
Rebecca ter Borg
November 13, 2024
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…
The Sapling
November 12, 2024
Quiz: 2024 Notable Books
The Storylines Notable Books for 2024 were announced this morning. Test your knowledge of all books notable here! Questions Answers Storylines Notable Books for 2024 Non-Fiction Dear Moko: Māori wisdom for our young ones, Dr Hinemoa Elder, Miriama Grace-Smith (PenguinRandom…
The Sapling
November 7, 2024
Interview: Nicola Daly on Indigenous Worldviews in Picture Books
Nicola Daly is what you’d call a children’s book buff. Officially a sociolinguist and senior lecturer at University of Waikato, she has committed her academic career to children’s literature and language learning. Her latest research looks at how Indigenous voices…
Features
Sarah Forster
November 18, 2024
Monsters and Chaos Walking – thirty minutes with Patrick Ness
Patrick Ness, the revered author of the Chaos Walking trilogy, visited New Zealand last week for events at Verb Wellington and Auckland Writers Festival. Sarah Forster watched his Wellington events and spent thirty minutes having him sign her sizable collection...
Jess Starr
November 15, 2024
A Stack of Librarians: the 2024 SLANZA conference
Librarian Jess Starr brings us highlights and insights from He Puāwaitanga—Growing Communities, Developing Knowledge and Building Confidence, the School Library Association’s 2024 conference. My tickets were booked, my cardigan was packed. I’d been practising my shushing all week and was...
Rebecca ter Borg
November 13, 2024
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...
The Sapling
November 12, 2024
Quiz: 2024 Notable Books
The Storylines Notable Books for 2024 were announced this morning. Test your knowledge of all books notable here! Questions Answers Storylines Notable Books for 2024 Non-Fiction Dear Moko: Māori wisdom for our young ones, Dr Hinemoa Elder, Miriama Grace-Smith (PenguinRandom...
Sabrina Malcolm
November 5, 2024
Takeaways from a Masterclass in Illustration
Drawing from the philosophical thoughts of children, letting illustration shape words and the life, hard work and love of an illustrator; Nelson-based illustrator Sabrina Malcolm reflects on meeting three international illustrators at their masterclass. This past September, the windows of...
Pearl Dsilva
October 28, 2024
From the Shop Floor: Tijori
Pearl D’Silva introduces us to Tijori, an online store that seeks to make books available for children of the Indian diaspora in Aotearoa. Tijori is a New Zealand online bookstore with a specially curated collection of board books, picture books,...
Dïne
October 23, 2024
A Day in the Life: Dïne
Dïne is the illustrator of Saving Wānanga and other books. She is also a tattoo artist, paints murals and takes on freelance illustration jobs. In the latest in our occasional Day in the Life series, she takes us through a...
Alistair Hughes
October 21, 2024
The Reckoning: The Science of Writing Science
Alistair Hughes searches for the formula for good science communication for kids. Ernest, Lord Rutherford is famously credited with proclaiming: ‘If you can’t explain your physics to a barmaid, it is probably not very good physics.’ These days hospitality workers...
The Sapling
October 18, 2024
The Sampling: The Gavin Bishop Treasury
By Gavin Bishop This month we bring you a Sampling of pages from a new hardback collection of ten classic Gavin Bishop stories. This new collection was released this week, and features four of his original stories and six of...
Giselle Clarkson
October 14, 2024
The Giselle Clarkson Comic: Number 44
Fresh from the Observologist’s win at the PANZ Books Design Awards, Giselle Clarkson shares a peek at the process of book publishing.
Jo Pearson
October 11, 2024
From the Shop Floor: Pictura Children’s Book Shop
Jo Pearson welcomes us inside Pictura Children’s Book Shop, where she sells hand-picked illustrated books for children. Pictura opened in early 2022 in the wee harbour town of Port Chalmers, 15 minutes or so from Dunedin city centre. I have...
Claudia Palmer
October 10, 2024
Three Pieces of Advice from Joy Cowley
Claudia Palmer attends the launch of Joy Cowley’s latest book A Lot of Silly. I didn’t follow Joy Cowley’s advice when I sat down to write this piece. Her number one tip is: don’t start with a title: write the...
Harriet Elworthy
September 27, 2024
The Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 Books
The Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 Books list for 2024/2025 was announced this morning. The Sapling’s Harriet Elworthy looks into the mechanisms of this influential poll. The Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 Books list has been running for 27 years. The list is...
The Sapling
September 18, 2024
The Sampling: Dear Moko
By Dr Hinemoa Elder We’re delighted to share a sneak peek at Dr Hinemoa Elder’s Dear Moko, a collection of whakataukī adapted from her bestselling collection of whakataukī for adults, Aroha. Dear Moko is written for all mokopuna, grandchildren, descendents....
The Sapling
September 13, 2024
Photos from the Picture Me window painting
During Gecko Press’s Picture Me festival, European illustrators Antje Damm, Aurore Petit and Piotr Socha will be painting a window at Te Auaha Gallery in central Wellington. We’ll be posting updates as the mural progresses. Thursday 12 September The first...
Interviews
Sarah Forster
November 18, 2024
Monsters and Chaos Walking – thirty minutes with Patrick Ness
Patrick Ness, the revered author of the Chaos Walking trilogy, visited New Zealand last week for events at Verb Wellington and Auckland Writers Festival. Sarah Forster watched his Wellington events and spent thirty minutes having him sign her sizable collection...
The Sapling
November 7, 2024
Interview: Nicola Daly on Indigenous Worldviews in Picture Books
Nicola Daly is what you’d call a children’s book buff. Officially a sociolinguist and senior lecturer at University of Waikato, she has committed her academic career to children’s literature and language learning. Her latest research looks at how Indigenous voices...
Eddie Monotone
October 8, 2024
Interview: Ned Wenlock on his best first book award winning ‘Tsunami’
Eddie Monotone sits down with Ned Wenlock to talk about winning the NZSA Best First Book Award at the NZCYA Book Awards, his approach to visual storytelling, and how Tsunami marks a departure from his previous work. Eddie Monotone (EM):...
Linda Jane Keegan
October 3, 2024
Interview: Steve Mushin on Ultrawild
Steve Mushin with his book, Ultrawild, was the winner of the best children’s non-fiction book at the NZCYA Awards in August. Ultrawild is an entertaining thought experiment around the concept of rewilding to save the planet. Linda Jane Keegan reviewed...
Maria Gill
September 25, 2024
Interview: Dame Lisa Carrington and Scott Pearson
Award-winning author Maria Gill interviews Olympian Lisa Carrington and illustrator Scott Pearson about their new books Lisa Carrington Chases a Champion and Ko Lisa Carrington me te Toa Whakaihuwaka. I last interviewed Lisa Carrington for a children’s nonfiction book called...
The Sapling
September 20, 2024
Interview: Elizabeth Gray on the Whakapapa of Sound
A dream to hear the sound of taonga pūoro and te reo Māori normalised in households set Elizabeth Gray on a path to becoming a debut author. Elizabeth Gray (Ngāti Rēhia, Ngāti Uepōhatu, Tama Ūpoko ki te awa o Wanganui,...
Hilary Jean Tapper
September 11, 2024
Illustrator to Illustrator: Five Things I Wish I Could Ask Another Illustrator
Award-winning illustrator Hilary Jean Tapper illuminates the craft, quandaries and processes of creating children’s books with three visiting international illustrators. Picture book illustration is a small profession within New Zealand, with few opportunities to come together to celebrate and nurture our...
The Sapling
September 9, 2024
Interview: Rachel Lawson on Picture Me
Picture Me promises a vibrant cross-cultural celebration of illustration and identity for children and professional illustrators alike. The Sapling sat down with Gecko Press publisher, Rachel Lawson, to find out what the festival is all about. The Sapling (TS): During...
Carly Thomas
September 6, 2024
Interview: Kate Preece on Ten Nosey Weka
Carly Thomas talks with Ten Nosey Weka author Kate Preece about creating a picture book that’s part of the ta rē Moriori revival. A new children’s picture book by Kate Preece sits on the bookshop shelf alongside others. Its beautiful...
Belinda Whyte
August 30, 2024
Interview: Stacy Gregg on Nine Girls
2024 judge of the NZCYA awards Belinda Whyte in conversation with Margaret Mahy Award winner Stacy Gregg. I’ll be honest with you, I had never read a Stacy Gregg novel before reading Nine Girls for the judging of the 2024...
The Sapling
August 19, 2024
Interview: Maia Bennett on judging the 2024 NZCYA awards
Convenor of the 2024 NZCYA Book Awards Maia Bennett takes The Sapling behind the scenes on selecting the cream of this year’s crop of books for children and young adults. On Wednesday evening the winners of the children’s and young...
Annelies Judson
August 15, 2024
For fox’s sake: An Interview With Juliette MacIver
Effervescent wordsmith Juliette MacIver has just released her new picture book, Little Axel’s Axolotl, a whimsical story about a very loved axolotl that dreams of adventure. In classic MacIver style, it is full of brilliant soundplay and interesting vocabulary, and...
Thalia Kehoe Rowden
July 24, 2024
Interview: Claire Mabey on The Raven’s Eye Runaways
Claire Mabey is one of the busiest people in Aotearoa literature: founder of the Verb festival, books editor at The Spinoff, and now novelist, with an outstanding debut, The Raven’s Eye Runaways. Thalia Kehoe Rowden had a thousand questions for...
Rachael King
July 2, 2024
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...
Frank Wilson
June 5, 2024
Interview: Bringing the shadow of Tūmatauenga into the light
Following yesterday’s review of Te Ata o Tū | The Shadow of Tūmatauenga (Te Papa Press), Frank Wilson had several conversations with three of its writers—all Te Papa curators—about the creation of the book and how they hope it will...
Reviews
Briar Lawry and Annelies Judson
October 30, 2024
Reviews: Five fresh picture books
Briar Lawry reviews new books from some of the shining stars of Aotearoa kids lit, and Annelies Judson reviews a collaboration with Cleft New Zealand. The Witch of Maketu and the Bleating Lambs, by Anika Moa, illustrated by Rebecca ter...
Kay Benseman
October 25, 2024
Review: four recent picture books
Kay Benseman shares insights on picture books featuring library books, giants, new babies and crabs. But Then… The Almost True Story of an Overdue Book, by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Daron Parton This ‘almost true story’ is hilarious and delightful....
Annelies Judson
October 16, 2024
Review: Three new wildlife titles
Annelies Judson reviews three picture books for older readers, and identifies a subgenre in NZ Kids Lit. I recently wrote a review where I talked about ‘Aotearoa Natural Disaster Animal Books’. Another strong subgenre in the Aotearoa children’s literature world...
Kay Benseman
October 7, 2024
Reviews: activity books for the holidays
Kay Benseman reviews new Kuwi and Friends titles to keep your kids occupied on your holiday road trips Rapua! I Spy: Kiwi Road Trip Games, by Kat Quin & Pānia Papa Kat Quin has again teamed up with Pānia Papa...
Fiona Giles
October 1, 2024
Reviews: New titles in two popular series
Fiona Giles reviews new junior fiction books from James Russell and Fraser Smith. Children of the Rush: Book 3, by James Russell This rip-roaring adventure had me glued to my seat as I devoured it in one sitting. Book three...
Tia Haira
September 20, 2024
Review: Lisa Carrington Chases a Champion
Dame Lisa Carrington has released new picture books in te reo Māōri and te reo Pākehā that seek to inspire children to work hard to meet their goals. Tia Haira reviews the English edition here. This story is about the...
Tia Haira
September 19, 2024
Te Arotakenga: Ko Lisa Carrington Me Te Toa Whakaihuwaka
Kua pāpāhotia a Dame Lisa Carrington ētahi pukapuka pikitia hou i roto i te reo Māori me te reo pākeha anō hoki hei whai, hei whakahihiko i ngā tamariki kia whakapau werawera kia tutuki i o rātou whāinga. Ānei te...
Cassie Hart
September 10, 2024
Review: New titles in two great local series
Cassie Hart reviews a new book in the Whetū Toa series and a sequel to Amorangi and Millie’s Trip Through Time. Whetū Toa and the Secret Spies, by Steph Matuku and illustrated by Katharine Hall (Huia Publishers) Steph Matuku manages...
Annelies Judson
September 4, 2024
Review: Three picture books with messages for their readers
Annelies Judson reviews three recent picture books designed to soothe and inspire young readers. The Lucky Little Pig, by Stacey Smith, illustrated by Deborah Hinde The Lucky Little Pig is another in an unofficial series of “Aotearoa Natural Disaster Animal...
Lucy Black
August 28, 2024
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...
Linda Jane Keegan
August 7, 2024
Reviews: Bumper Batch of Nature Books
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: children’s publishing on Aotearoa’s natural world is flourishing. Linda Jane Keegan reviews a stack of the latest in wildlife books, including a healthy dose of bird books. She also highlights a...
Denika Mead
July 23, 2024
Reviews: Two Middle-Grade Historic Narratives
Joanna Grochowicz adds another Antarctic exploration journey under her belt and Pauline Cartwright’s re-released story of the Otago goldfields is back with a fresh face. Denika Mead reviews. Mawson in Antarctica: To the Ends of the Earth, by Joanna Grochowicz...
Elizabeth Heritage
July 18, 2024
Review: New YA from Mandy Hager—Gracehopper
Mandy Hager’s latest young adult novel is a family drama bringing together issues of care work, disability, and identity. Elizabeth Heritage reviews. Gracehopper is Mandy Hager’s new YA novel about Grace Murphy, a Taiwanese 18-year-old living in Wellington with her...
Mele Tonga-Grant
July 17, 2024
Reviews: Pasifika Picture Books
Mele Tonga-Grant reviews three fantastic Pacific themed titles. They are a love letter to our future, Matariki in a Sāmoan context, and a celebration of our differences. Gagana Sāmoa is sprinkled throughout two of the books and the third is...
Ceridwyn Roberts
July 16, 2024
Review: Aotearoa YA that rivals The Hunger Games
Steph Matuku’s latest YA novel grapples with themes of enforced migration, loss, societal expectations, and coloniser violence. Ceridwyn Roberts describes it as ‘unputdownable’, a match for The Hunger Games, and better than other series. I always hesitate to call a...