Split consciousness features in very different ways in these two wonderful junior fiction titles for opposite ends of the audience age group. Sarah Forster tells us what she thinks. Between, by Adele Broadbent (OneTree House) Between had me under its…
Author and former bookshop owner Annemarie Florian tells us about three quite different recent releases, from New Zealand and further afield. The Day War Came, by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb (Walker Books) War – modern warfare – is…
Reviewing three new picture books in te reo Māori today is former teacher, gallery educator, librarian and student, Kay Benseman, along with her irāmutu. To balance my perspective as an adult second language learner, my clever irāmutu (niece and nephews)…
A notorious witch, some butterflies, and a fantail that can’t stay still. Reviewer Holly Walker enjoys a trip down memory lane with BadJelly, but will her daughter come with her? Badjelly the Witch, by Spike Milligan (Penguin NZ) Badjelly the Witch!…
If you like getting creative in the kitchen with children, Dr Michelle Dickinson – Nanogirl – has a new book out to stretch you further. Dr Siouxsie Wiles tells us why you should take a look. One thing I loved…
Stories for Boys Who Dare To Be Different (Quercus) is the latest in the worldwide publishing phenomenon that started with Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Here’s editor Jane Arthur’s take on the book and the wider trend. Finally! What…
Mandy Hager and Helen Vivienne Fletcher are both Wellington-based writers of YA and other things. Sarah Forster was excited to read Fletcher’s second YA publication, alongside a long-awaited sequel to The Nature of Ash from Hager. Underwater, by Helen Vivienne…
Each of these vibrant, colourful books comes from an independent publisher. Helen Vivienne Fletcher finds a lot to love about them. A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies & Other Such Collective Nouns, by Kate Hursthouse A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies & Other Such…
From first readers to well-developed adventure stories, Tim Gruar finds a lot to admire in these three new Kiwi junior fiction books – great for newly confident independent readers. Miniwings: Firestorm’s Musical Muck-Up by Sally Sutton and illustrated by Kirsten…
YA dystopian fiction had a massive run a few years back and then everyone got dystopian-ed out. Not me. I love teens saving dismal worlds from horrible dictators and ridiculous laws. It’s all so relevant in today’s uncertain world. And…