The Sapling

The Sampling: Big Little Blue #2—RockyBottoms!

By Raymond McGrath Raymond McGrath’s delightful graphic novel series, Big Little Blue, is all about focusing on different facets of wellbeing to offer children valuable lessons on coping strategies, resilience, and understanding emotions – all wrapped up in a fun…

End of Year Shopping List 2023

The Sapling editors have compiled a list of our favourite books from the last year or so for when you’re doing your Christmas/New Year/birthday/graduation/end of year/just because shopping. Don’t forget to check out BookHub for buying from your local independent…

The Sampling: Like the Wind

By J. L. Williams J. L. Williams’ gripping historical fiction novel, Holding the Horse, was a Best First Book finalist at this year’s NZCYA Awards. For the next installment of our Summer Excerpt Series, where we’re publishing extracts from the…

The Sampling: The Edge of Light #1—New Dawning

By A. M. Dixon This summer brings The Sapling’s first Summer Excerpt Series, where we will be posting at least one extract from junior fiction and young adult winners of the 2023 Storylines Notable Books from now through to the…

2023 Notable Books Quiz

Last week, Storylines announced their annual list of Notable Books for 2023, comprising over 50 pukapuka across five genres that have been published in the past year. How well do you know this year’s list? Take our quiz to find…

The Sampling: Reo Pēpi Bilingual Colouring Book

Acclaimed author/cousin duo Kitty and Kirsten are back with another addition to their Reo Pēpi books! Their Bilingual Colouring Book is jam-packed with illustrations of native flora and fauna (more than 60+ pages) AND includes over 30 stickers! Check out…

The Sampling: Caged

By Susan Brocker Check out the following excerpts from Susan Brocker’s latest: a gripping YA tale following 14-year-old Sam who struggles with homelessness and finds herself involved in crime. Pick up the book if you’re curious to discover how she…

The Sampling: When Life Sucks

By Dr Jo Prendergast This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 18-24 September. This week, our content is focused on mental health, and we’re kicking off with an extract from psychiatrist and comedian Dr Jo Prendergast’s new book, When…

Te Wiki o te reo Māori: Pukapuka reo Māori

There are more and more children’s pukapuka being translated into te reo Māori all the time, and we love seeing them! In honour of Te Wiki o te reo Māori, here is another lot of reo Māori books for your…

The Sampling: Tuahangata tae e whā

Nā Richard Fairgray Nā Komako A. Silver and Alejandra Jensen i whakamāori Richard Fairgray’s Four-Color Heroes (Fanbase Press) is now also available digitally in te reo Māori! You can find it on Hoopla (from 11 September), Comics Plus, Google Books,…