Award-winning illustrator Hilary Jean Tapper illuminates the craft, quandaries and processes of creating children’s books with three visiting international illustrators. Picture book illustration is a small profession within New Zealand, with few opportunities to come together to celebrate and nurture our…
The picture book finalist pukapuka are as varied as they are colourful. Linda Jane Keegan takes the shortlisted books to a few classes at Tākaka Primary School and asks the tamariki what they think. See our comments on the complete…
Easter is just around the corner! Bee Trudgeon reviews the newest batch of picture books with chickens, fairies, and rabbits. Fun to read at Easter, or any time of year. I’m going to be straight up about this: my favourite…
Easter is just around the corner, and with that, Linda Jane Keegan and Thalia Kehoe Rowden bring you a batch of Easter-themed picture book reviews perfect for getting stuck into this weekend! E Oma, Rāpeti / Run, Rabbit books, by…
This week writer and former Sapling co-editor Thalia Kehoe Rowden has some thoughts about a number of books that could do with better rhyme and rhythm, but is delighted with one new title. In a country that has produced such…
Our first post-hiatus batch of reviews comes from Kay Benseman, with her incredibly thorough insights into books with questions, laughs, things to look for, local history and some sticky situations. Jiffy’s Greatest Hits by Catherine Chidgey and illustrated by Astrid…