Features

The finalists of the 2021 NZ kids’ book awards are…

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. The awards celebrate excellence in…

Why does illustration cost so much?

Fifi Colston explains the costs involved in training as an illustrator, and how many books a year she has to illustrate to make ends meet. A great resource for anyone wondering why it is illustrations can be so expensive. I…

Book Reviews: New Non-Fiction from Aotearoa

Author Linda Jane Keegan reviews two new non-fiction titles from Aotearoa; the first looks at our changing climate, and the second at the history of our country. Inside Bubble Earth – Climate Change, by Des Hunt (OneTree House) I must…

Storytime: Engaging Little Listeners

Children’s author, storyteller and award winning playwright, Helen Vivienne Fletcher discusses storytime. She takes us through finding the right books, interacting with little listeners and other sage tips for engaging what can be a tough but rewarding audience! It’s 10.25am…

Tara Black attends Shaun Tan’s masterclass

Tara Black attended a masterclass at the Auckland Writer’s Festival on how to create a picture book with Shaun Tan—and she was kind enough to share her discoveries with us in her super special comic reportage style! If you can’t…

Book List: Global Feel-good fantasy

Sometimes, we need a little escapism with a side of pep in our reading. A little pick-me-up. And fantasy can be just the thing. After all—if it’s for middle readers, it (almost) always will have a happy ending, making any…

Book Quiz: Books to sing along to

It’s New Zealand Music Month, so our quiz for your brain teasing pleasure today is all about singalong books from writers, illustrators and performers from Aotearoa. Good luck! Test yourself, share with a friend, and let us know on Facebook…

THE SAMPLING: Inside Bubble Earth – Climate Change

Your favourite former science/technology teacher turned eco-fiction writer Des Hunt is back with a new title, Inside Bubble Earth: Climate Change – a fantastic illustrated non-fiction resource all about climate change and the consequences of human actions. Feast your eyes on this excerpt from the book.