Lyla has just started her second year of high school when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake shakes Christchurch to pieces. Devastation is everywhere. While her police officer mother and trauma nurse father respond to the disaster, Lyla puts on a brave face, opening their home to neighbours and leading the community clean-up.
How many children’s books have you read that tell stories of family violence and abuse? Today author, speaker and survivor of family violence, Tim Tipene, argues for more books that show the reality of life for far too many children…
At The Sapling we believe that books grow humans. What kinds of books grew Ockham-shortlisted writer Brannavan Gnanalingam? An intriguing mix, as we find out today. I don’t remember when I learned English, but it wasn’t my first language. That…
Wellington-based writer and theatre-maker Jo Randerson is appearing in four events at the Wellington Writers & Readers Festival this month, including being a guest narrator in Peter and the Wolf. Here, she writes about the books her two children enjoy…
The Sapling launched exactly one year ago today. Happy first birthday to us! From founding editors Jane Arthur and Sarah Forster, and editor Thalia Kehoe Rowden: thanks to Helena Loy for helping load many of the pieces, Tabitha of LightShade…
Elizabeth Heritage investigates representations of gender in New Zealand children’s book publishing by looking at the 2017 bestsellers and talking to local publishers. Are we doing the best by all genders, and why does it matter? The Observer recently commissioned…
Zac McCallum is the School Librarian at Halswell School in Christchurch, but many of you will know of him from his years in the Children’s & YA team at Christchurch City Libraries. He also writes at ‘My Best Friends are…
These are some of our best-loved characters from New Zealand Picture Books and Junior Fiction titles. But do you know their names? 1. I am drawn by Philip Webb and named by Diana Neild. My name is P_ _ _…
Disability consultant, activist and blogger Robyn Hunt explains the literacy challenges faced by children with disabilities, and the many different ways they are able to access books – as long as the resources, regulations, funding and technology allow. The earliest…
If you’re a teacher, parent or other friendly person supporting children who are learning English, you’ll know it’s tricky to find good books for them, especially if they’re older than five or six. Today specialist teacher Frank Wilson initiates us…