New Zealand Young Adult fiction is as good as any in the world. So why doesn’t it have a higher profile with young readers in Aotearoa, and what can be done about that? Writer, reviewer and teacher Eirlys Hunter tells…
The Best Loved-Bear by Diana Noonan, illustrated by Elizabeth Fuller is a Kiwi classic picture book. First released 23 years ago, this book, like the bear it is named after, has withstood the test of time and was re-released this…
We are excited to present this excerpt from David Riley’s Cook Island Heroes, the most recent book in his Pasifika Heroes series. David Riley’s book covers a huge spectrum about what a ‘hero’ is, and mixes legends with true tales of heroic Cook Islanders. He includes leaders, scientists, educators, creative artists, writers, and sportspeople, and many more.
Did you know that there is a gathering especially for writers and illustrators happening in Auckland at the start of October? There is! The Storylines Hui looks set to be an invaluable opportunity to catch up, learn from and hang…
Ahead of Father’s Day, four Kiwi Dads let us in on what their family reading lives are like. Here are some excerpts from previous The Sapling articles by music journalist Nick Bollinger; founder of the Ngaio Marsh Awards and writer…
Children’s Theatre expert and teacher Robert Dil writes about the joy of seeing your favourite book on stage, the history of the connection from page to stage, and how theatre can be used to benefit literacy learning. The best stories…
We wanted to celebrate NZ Poetry Day this year with a fabulous list of children’s poetry. And who better to bring this to you than our very own Paula Green, creator of Poetry Box and NZ Poetry Shelf, and wonderful…
David Hill and Phoebe Morris have collaborated on a third picture book in their series introducing young New Zealanders to historic adventurers. We asked Louise Ward from Wardini Books in Hawke’s Bay to check it out for us. The first…
You know their words, you know their pictures … but do you know their faces? We were very privileged to be at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults last week, and here are a few of…
Earlier this month, we treated you to an excerpt from Gareth Ward’s award-winning debut steampunk adventure novel, The Traitor and the Thief. Here’s an interview with the fascinating, hardworking author himself. Your bio notes read like an adventure novel of…