Features

Book List: Books up for Bestseller of the Decade

What makes a bestselling New Zealand kids book? This list looks at eight of the bestselling kids books and what makes them so popular. Filled with classics and recent gems, everyone should know at least one of the wonderful stories…

School Librarians of Aotearoa: Angela Thompson

Angela Thompson is the Library Lead Teacher at Remarkables Primary School in Queenstown, a school of 600 students. She began working as a literacy lead teacher upon moving to New Zealand, and is particularly passionate about the value of author…

Book Review: Legacy, by Whiti Hereaka

Whiti Hereaka has combined science fiction and World War I in her new YA title, Legacy. You read the excerpt last week, now 15-year-old Kimihia Garcia-Grace tells us his thoughts on the novel, launched at the 2018 National Writers Festival….

THE SAMPLING: Legacy

We’re pleased to present an excerpt from Legacy (Huia), a new YA novel by Whiti Hereaka (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa), the author of the multi award-winning Bugs (Huia).

Book List: Can children do philosophy?

Amy Austin, Deputy Principal and PhD student, asks ‘Can children do philosophy?’; ‘What does it entail and who benefits?’; ‘What stimulates philosophical thinking?’ For many, the picture that first comes to mind of a philosopher could be that of an…

Kia Kaha te Pukapuka Reo Māori i te Kainga

Revitalising a language and raising a family are both harrowing, amazing tasks. What happens when you do both at the same time? In celebrating Māori Language Week, Louise Whaanga (Ngāti Kahungunu) shares a wonderful account of the role Māori language…

The Giselle Clarkson Comic: Number 16

In the 16th of our regular comics from Giselle Clarkson, she ruminates on the unusual history of one of the most-loved works of literature in New Zealand.

Behind the Scenes of Puffin the Architect

Kimberly Andrews is the Wellington-based author and illustrator of the new, critically acclaimed picture book, Puffin the Architect (Penguin Random House). We are honoured to present this exclusive behind-the-scenes comic-strip look at how the book came to be.

School Librarians of Aotearoa: Sasha

Ssahs Eastwood-Bennitt manages the library and teaching resources at Manchester Street School in Feilding, Manawatu. She is also part of the group of literacy experts who arrange the ReaLM professional development programme each year. I manage the library and teaching…

A Wise Place to Rise: National Poetry Day

‘Throughout my life I have turned to the page as a soft place to fall and a wise place to rise.’ For Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day 2018, poet and children’s book author Courtney Sina Meredith shares her personal discovery…