Picture Books

Across the Ditch: Bob Graham talks storytelling

The Sapling’s Simie Simpson, a long-time fan girl of award-winning, Australian picture book author and illustrator Bob Graham, literally bombards him with questions about his books: what it takes to create books that speak to us, stand the test of…

Book Reviews: Reo Māori Picture Books with Birds

Here are some awesome new book reviews from Mikaere Flavell! He read the books with his niece Māia and wrote up his thoughts for us here at The Sapling. So all you have to do now is get ready for…

Arotakenga Pukapuka: Ngā manu o te wao

He arotakenga pukapuka hou nā Mikaere Flavell ēnei! I pānuitia ngā pukapuka e Mikaere rāua ko tāna irāmutu, ā, i tuhituhi ia i ētahi whakaaro mō The Sapling. Heoi anō, kia reri tātou mō ngā kōrero mō Pīpī Kiwi, Flit…

Book Awards: The Picture Book Finalists

It seems only right that the review for the picture book finalists for NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults should be illustrated! We asked accomplished comic artist Tara Black to review all five finalists. Here, in pictures, are…

Book List: Books that feature play

In the last couple of months, we have seen the effects of COVID-19 wreak havoc worldwide. The mental health of both children and adults has been badly affected as we learn to cope with ‘the new normal’. One positive thing…

Book Reviews: Picture Books to Look Out For

As a general rule, March is a delightful time in the book industry, New Zealand. New releases are winging their way through the doors, writers’ festivals abound, and local and international awards are cracking their knuckles and revving their engines….

Book Reviews: New Bilingual Picture Books

The bilingual Simmonds whānau has reviewed two new picture books. Read on to find out what Shirley, Tamihana (10) and Raukawa (9), think about them. You can also read a version of these reviews written in te reo Māori. The…

Ngā Arotakenga Pukapuka: Ngā Pukapuka Pikitia

He arotakenga pukapuka ēnei, mō ngā pukapuka pikitia hou nā Kurahau rāua ko Renee Chin. Nā Shirley Simmonds, ko Tamihana Simmonds (10 ōna tau), rātou ko Raukawa Simmonds (e 9 ōna tau) ngā arotakenga i tuhi. He aha ō mātou…

Book Reviews: New Children’s Titles in Te Reo

This month we have a new te reo Māori title reviewer, Mihi Henare (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hine, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), reviewing a new batch of te reo Māori books released during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori in September. Whakarongo ki…

Book Reviews: New Picture Books from Aotearoa

Here’s the latest in exciting new picture books here in Aotearoa, reviewed by Nida Fiazi – including the debut picture book from The Sapling’s very own co-editor Thalia Kehoe Rowden. There’s tries to score, oceans to clean up, voices to find…