Features

Book List: Comic Books for Kids and Teens

Children’s comics embrace all the possibilities inherent in good fiction. They are original, compelling and relevant, but also of increased importance for reluctant readers, and those who value the written word and illustration. Here, Monty Masseurs and Nicola Crombie from…

Crafts with Fifi: Make a Climbing Gecko

Gecko, by Raymond Huber, illustrated by Brian Lovelock is the second Nature Storybook title from its creators. The book introduces the very young to the world of the gecko, one of the most varied lizard species on the planet. Keep…

Raymond Huber: Moomintrolls for Life

Raymond Huber’s childhood was enriched by the stories of the Moomins, told by Tove Jansson. Here, he tells us about moomintrolls, hattifatteners and more. Huber’s most recent title, Gecko, illustated by Brian Lovelock, was released this month. I’ve just started…

The Reckoning: Shelving Creative Non-fiction

Non-fiction writer Maria Gill ponders the nature of a creative non-fiction story for children and how creative non-fiction stories are categorised. Toroa’s Journey, by Maria Gill and Gavin Mouldey, is released this week by Potton & Burton. Abel Tasman: Mapping…

The Sampling: How Not to Stop a Kidnap Plot

An excerpt from Suzanne Main’s How Not to Stop a Kidnap Plot, a Junior Fiction novel that tells the tale of how Michael’s desire to get revenge on rich kid bully Angus backfires. Chapter 3 recounts the germination of a plan, and the introduction of the marvellous Miss Munro.

The Changeover: A Christchurch Bookseller

About 12 months ago, Rachel Eadie was asked for permission to film in the bookshop she manages, Scorpio Books in Christchurch, for a very special film: The Changeover. Margaret Mahy was a Christchurch native, and Kate Chant, the mother of…

Book List: Queer & Trans Books for Schools

Young adults who are part of gender or sexual minorities may be in need of extra support in school environments. We asked School Library Assistant Cathy-Ellen Paul to help equip school staff to be their champions, including in the reading…

Book Quiz: The change of the seasons

We may not yet have reached the Season of the Age of Aquarius, but it certainly appears to be Spring right now, and we figure sooner or later Summer will reach our fair shores. Lets do a quiz to celebrate!…

Dare Truth or Promise, Twenty Years On

Today we say ‘Happy Birthday!’ to Paula Boock’s ground-breaking novel for young adults, Dare Truth or Promise, published on this day, twenty years ago. Today Gem Wilder remembers how important it was for her to read as a teenager, and…