Early concept boardbooks and picture books are essential as a way to both teach children language and begin their lifelong love of books. Early Childhood teacher Sara Croft reviews six recent titles, four of which are bilingual in te reo…
Simie Simpson reviews four books: Dig, Dump, Roll by Sally Sutton and Brian Lovelock; Granny McFlitter, The Champion Knitter, by Heather Haylock and Lael Chisholm; I am Jellyfish, by Ruth Paul and The Gift Horse, by Sophie Siers and Katharine…
Matariki Williams reviews three books: The Anzac Violin: Alexander Aitken’s Story, by Jennifer Beck and Robyn Belton; The New Zealand Wars, by Philippa Werry and The Treaty of Waitangi in Tauranga, by Debbie McCauley. How do we teach our children…
Volume Books in Nelson have a smartly curated range of children’s books that catch the eye. They chose five of their summer favourites to review for The Sapling. Witchfairy and One House for All are from Book Island, and we…
One summer, so many new books. Briar Lawry reviews three fiction books which serve as a reflection of the state of the broader New Zealand middle reader and young adult fiction world. Catch Me When You Fall is a contemporary…
Esther Kiernan reviews four very different recent releases from Aotearoa, taking in a few centuries, and the breadth of New Zealand and beyond. Mr Gloomingdale’s Christmas, written and illustrated by Andy Conlan Mr Skinny, Mr Greedy, Mr Bump – no,…
Tara Ward bravely takes five Kiwi activity books for a spin, and provides photographic evidence. If you’re looking for fun, wholesome, cheap ways to pass the time these summer holidays, read on! Don’t be surprised if the educators who wrote…
Of the hundreds of children’s books featuring our national bird, here are some all-stars that will help children and adults alike get to know these fascinating creatures better. One of my very favourite books when I was little – I…
Each of these three action-packed books has a great cast of characters, some daredevil heroes and is written for kids aged 7+. Sarah Forster found them to be page-turning fun. Lily Max: Sun, Surf, Sea, by Jane Bloomfield (Luncheon Sausage…
Every now and then I’m determined to broaden my teeteringly-high reading pile by adding in new genres. Build it out sideways for stronger integrity, perhaps. The YA I love tends to tell convincingly real stories of convincingly real teenagers, which…