TUIA250 is the government-funded programme to mark 250 years since Captain James Cook first visited Aotearoa. Tina Ngata asks how parents and teachers can help children engage in ‘ethical remembering’ of this event. The 2019 Cook commemorations are New Zealand’s…
Susette Goldsmith reviews four fascinating books for older readers: think steampunk shenanigans, paranormal romance, celebrity secret identities and the grim realities of life as a member of a persecuted populace. As different as they may be, it turns out that…
Gem Wilder shares her journey into the world of the Children of the Faith in Fleur Beale’s beloved trilogy: the stories of Kirby, Rebecca, Magdalene and so many more young women (and men) who are fictional… but easily could be…
Catherine Robertson reflects on her early years from a literary angle, focusing on the intrinsic connection between her memories of books and memories of her mother. Catherine’s latest novel What You Wish For is out now from Black Swan. My…
You know it, you love it – it’s the Mahy Questionnaire! This month we are very lucky to be able to feature Lani Wendt Young, who as we publish this piece, is on the Storylines Story Tour in Auckland. Lani…
Giselle Clarkson wrestles with imposter syndrome in her most recent comic. Giselle has also illustrated The Gobbledegook Book, written by Joy Cowley, which will be released in September through Gecko Press. Head along to the launch on 14 September in…
Sarah Forster reviews current releases Harriet and the eye of the Bird, Bonjour Lucy Bee and The Invincibles: Power Up! She also reviews a final manuscript for Tūī Street Heroes, thanks to Wildling Books. This will release in September. The…
Sāmoan illustrator Michel Mulipola recently sat down with Tokelauan/Sāmoan artist Moses Viliamu at the Whitireia Polytechnic Porirua Campus. In this discussion, the two creatives shared their experiences as Pasifika artists and illustrating their respective Pasifika Heroes books –Sāmoan Heroes and…
New Zealander Wayne Mills has been running the Kids’ Lit Quiz for thirty years. This year Palmerston North youth librarian Alan Dingley coached the New Zealand winners and accompanied them to Singapore for the international finals. Read all about it!…
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…