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…
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…
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…
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….
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:…
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…
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…
Annelies Judson introduces us to some of her favourite interactive books, starting with Press Here, before reviewing Let’s Go, Flo! If you’ve never read an interactive book to a kid, you’re missing out. The idea with these books is that…
As a high school English teacher, Annabelle Reeves is passionate about helping young people unleash their creativity. Here, she imparts her wisdom with the writing guides she’s found most useful for budding creatives, plus her competition recommendations for putting that…
This week, September 11-18, is Māori Language Week, which is all about celebrating one of the official languages of Aotearoa and the language of the tangata whenua of these mōtu. This year’s theme encourages people to “Kia kaha te reo…