Archives

Review: Nanogirl gets us Cooking with Science

If you like getting creative in the kitchen with children, Dr Michelle Dickinson – Nanogirl – has a new book out to stretch you further. Dr Siouxsie Wiles tells us why you should take a look. One thing I loved…

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…

Book Quiz: How well do you know your dogs?

Since Beatrix Potter and before, animals have been a staple subject of children’s literature. How well do you know your literary dogs, from the canon of Aotearoa New Zealand picture books? Test yourself, share with a friend, and let us…

Book Reviews: Two reality-based YA titles

Mandy Hager and Helen Vivienne Fletcher are both Wellington-based writers of YA and other things. Sarah Forster was excited to read Fletcher’s second YA publication, alongside a long-awaited sequel to The Nature of Ash from Hager. Underwater, by Helen Vivienne…

The planet has a pulse: Maurice Gee, O and me

Maurice Gee’s O Trilogy is one of the most enduringly excellent works of Aotearoa literature. Megan Dunn recalls its power. In the South Island, at the back of an old mineshaft is the entrance to the planet O. There are…

Book List: NZ Junior Fiction v The World

Author Sue Copsey explores the world of New Zealand Junior Fiction, discovering plenty of titles that are just as good as the internationals. Our bestseller lists for kids’ books can make frustrating reading if you’re a New Zealand children’s author….

Miriama Kamo and the Reinstated Stars of Matariki

Matariki has been celebrated in several picture books in recent years, but broadcaster Miriama Kamo’s new book, The Stolen Stars of Matariki, is the first to feature nine, not seven stars. Kristin Smith caught up with Miriama to hear how…

Book Reviews: Three NZ Picture Books

Each of these vibrant, colourful books comes from an independent publisher. Helen Vivienne Fletcher finds a lot to love about them.  A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies & Other Such Collective Nouns, by Kate Hursthouse A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies & Other Such…

Miriama Kamo me nga Whetu i Whakahokia

Kua whakanuia a Matariki i ētahi pukapuka tamariki i ēnei tau tata kua hipa, engari ko te pukapuka hou a Miriama Kamo, ko Ngā Whetū Matariki i Whānakotia te mea tuatahi e pā ana ki ngā whetū e iwa, kaua…

School Librarians of Aotearoa: Alison Hewett

Alison Hewett is the Head of Library Services at Kristin School on Auckland’s North Shore. Kristin is an independent co-educational school of 1620 students ranging in age from Preschool through to Year 13. It offers the International Baccalaureate throughout the…