Sarah Forster shares her thoughts on two middle-grade novels set in post-apocalyptic utopian worlds, packed with plenty of adventure, miracle technology, and imaginings of the future. Kidnap at Mystery Island, by Carol Garden I love the cover of this futuristic…
Ant Sang has been a part of New Zealand’s comic scene for decades, with the graphic novels The Dhama Punks and Shaolin Burning to his name. Beyond that, his art will be familiar to many people from the cartoon bro’Town…
Former teacher, feminist book blogger and parent, Annelies Judson gives an insightful commentary on this batch of very Kiwi picture books. My Mum is the Queen of the Road by Jennifer Beck & Lisa Allen My Mum Is The Queen…
Linda Jane Keegan is back with another round of non-fiction reviews, this time with a selection of picture books all about the unique flora and fauna that we share our environment with. Where is it in town? by Ned Barraud…
Chinese-Kiwi author and illustrator Nessie Sharpe struggled to find bilingual picture books that represented mixed-culture families like hers—so she wrote her own. I was watching the kids playing tea parties one rainy afternoon. They were serving each other wooden cupcakes…
Briar Lawry reviews two pukapuka inspired by pūrākau Māori—featuring a retelling of the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku and an action-packed adventure set in a post-apocalyptic world. Stories inspired by pūrākau Māori are nothing new—it’s a growing and evolving space…
Hannah Marshall offers us her opinions on four recent junior fiction releases—featuring talking cats, taniwha, secret agents and more. Pipi and Pou and the Raging Mountain and Pipi and Pou and the River Monster, written by Tim Tipene and illustrated…
The Sapling editors have compiled a list of recommendations of this year’s releases for your Christmas book shopping! Picture Books How My Koro Became A Star Written by Brianne Te Paa Illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse Published by Huia Publishers RRP:…
Sarah Forster reviews two recent YA novels for us—one, a gritty story of overcoming grief and trauma, and the other a time-travelling novel that takes us from 2019 to 1869 and back. Between the Flags, by Rachel Fenton CW: bullying,…
Christmas is quickly approaching, so bookseller Becks Popham has four festive reads that are perfect for building up the holiday hype. The Chaos Before Christmas, written by Sarina Dickson and illustrated by Lily Emo As someone who has worked in…