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…
Annelies Judson introduces us to some of her favourite interactive books, starting with Press Here, before reviewing Let’s Go, Flo! If you’ve never read an interactive book to a kid, you’re missing out. The idea with these books is that…
As a high school English teacher, Annabelle Reeves is passionate about helping young people unleash their creativity. Here, she imparts her wisdom with the writing guides she’s found most useful for budding creatives, plus her competition recommendations for putting that…
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…
This week, September 11-18, is Māori Language Week, which is all about celebrating one of the official languages of Aotearoa and the language of the tangata whenua of these mōtu. This year’s theme encourages people to “Kia kaha te reo…
Matariki falls on July 14 this year—the second year Aotearoa has celebrated the Māori New Year as a public holiday. We’ve compiled a quick list of some recent Matariki reads published during The Sapling’s hiatus. Nani Jo Me Ngā…
Each year, the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults make for a massive occasion in the Aotearoa kids’ book world—move over Oscars, out of the way Silver Scrolls. This is our night. It’s my first year covering the NZCYA…
It’s Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa / Samoan Language Week! Sisilia Etuati reviews three recent picture books that incorporate Samoan stories and culture and are great for reading in Samoan with your kids. The struggle is real when you are…
Dementia is a heart-breaking condition that many families have to struggle with. Children’s librarian Bee Trudgeon puts together a list of books that can help our tamariki understand and manage being around someone with dementia. I recently came across a…
How to help our kids understand consent and set (and respect!) boundaries? It’s a surprisingly controversial topic. Guest writer Bee Trudgeon reflects on this area of contention and sets out to find some books that can help facilitate this conversation;…