Book List: Manga for teens
Bee Trudgeon provides an introduction to manga, for grown ups who may be trying to keep up with the kids. Japan has had a failsafe way to attract teens to books for decades, but in Aotearoa the magnetic wonder of…
Book List
The Sapling’s best reads of 2024
We asked The Sapling’s editors and contributors for their best reads of the year. The criteria was broad: recent books preferred but not strictly enforced, titles from Aotearoa or overseas and books for babies to young adults. Here’s what we…
Book List: Picture books as windows and mirrors to support children with disabilities
Pearl D’Silva shares some top tips for picture books around the themes of disability and inclusion, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities. International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is celebrated on December 3 each year. There are over 1.1…
The Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 Books
The Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 Books list for 2024/2025 was announced this morning. The Sapling’s Harriet Elworthy looks into the mechanisms of this influential poll. The Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 Books list has been running for 27 years. The list is…
Book List: Sri Lankan Authors, Stories, and Characters
The Sinhalese and Tamil New Year takes place this weekend, so The Sapling asked Sri Lankan writer Diyamanthi Galpoththage to tell us about what Sri Lankan stories and authors are available in New Zealand. She shares her favourite childhood books…
Book List: Twisted Fairytales
Fairytales are the foundation onto which all children’s literature is built. It feels impossible to imagine a world where castles and fair princesses and evil witches and handsome princes aren’t a part of the make-up of the kidlit cannon. For…
Book List: Inspiration for Bug of the Year
This is the second year of New Zealand Bug of the Year. Step aside, Bird of the Year, the Entomological Society of New Zealand is keen to get our nation more interested in the lesser known heroes of our environment….
List: A selection of re-released picture books
Many books are worth reading more than once, and some are worth publishing more than once. Here we highlight a few titles re-released this year. To Catch a Cloud By Elena de Roo & Hannah Peck Published by Faber RRP:…
List: Aotearoa Activity Books
Summer is upon us and school holidays are imminent. Linda Jane Keegan has compiled a list of some of the best Aotearoa-flavoured activity books to help keep you and your tamariki occupied. They can be puzzled and artsy in the…
End of Year Shopping List 2023
The Sapling editors have compiled a list of our favourite books from the last year or so for when you’re doing your Christmas/New Year/birthday/graduation/end of year/just because shopping. Don’t forget to check out BookHub for buying from your local independent…