Two international novels with links to New Zealand: one rooted in Aboriginal culture, the other with Russian folklore, both filled with adventure. Fiona Giles reviews these middle-grade reads. A Wolf for a Spell, written by Karah Sutton and illustrated by…
Annelies Judson brings us another batch of reviews of some of the latest picture books to hit the shelves. Lucy and the Dark, written by Melinda Szymanik and illustrated by Vasanti Unka I’m front-footing this review because it deserves to…
There’s more to board books than meets the eye, and a good board book will help young children develop a lifelong reading habit. Belinda Whyte shares with us her reviews of five board books for the littlest readers. As a…
Cartoonist and illustrator Eddie Monotone gives us his hot takes on a story set in a far-distant Aotearoa and a poignant portrayal of bullying. Project Nought, by Chelsey Furedi The premise of Project Nought is simple: what if a teenager…
Thalia Kehoe Rowden reviews four new books aiming to help children process their feelings and understand their place in the world. Pearl in a Whirl, written by Catherine Roberton and illustrated by Fifi Colston A good book for a good…
Briar Lawry finds lots to unpack with two new reads to hit the shelves: a classic gritty YA story that tells a tough tale, and an illustrated novel with an unconventional form. Whakaari, by Marion Day Young adult books are…
18-year-old Stella Weston finds lots to rave about with two new gritty and complex YA novels that explore themes of mental health, budding relationships, and complex family dynamics. Catching A Falling Star, by Eileen Merriman Catch a Falling Star, expertly…
Toitoi is a wonderful magazine written and illustrated by children and young adults. Recently, Toitoi started accepting contributions from young people up to age 18 (previously only 5-13 year-olds), and from next year, will be going from quarterly to annual…
Here is a great bundle of Aotearoa non-fiction, all covering our natural world. We’ve got photographic pukapuka, creative non-fiction, rhyme, and bucketloads of facts. Editor Linda Jane Keegan gives her two cents on these titles. Family of Forest and Fungi…
It’s Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa / Samoan Language Week! Sisilia Etuati reviews three recent picture books that incorporate Samoan stories and culture and are great for reading in Samoan with your kids. The struggle is real when you are…