There are no moa, e hoa
By Melinda Szmanik
Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
ISBN 9781775437833
Scholastic NZ
Our loveable forest friends, kiwi and Bat, are back for another adventure in this shiny and bright new picture book for young readers. It is listed as a Storylines Notable Book Award winner, and deservedly so.
Someone or something is making the ground shake, someone’s eyes are peeking out, and somewhere in the forest, there is an emergency. Bat and Kiwi have come to the rescue, determined to calm little tuatara, who seems to think the giant extinct Moa has somehow miraculously come back. Or perhaps, there is magic in the mushrooms on the forest floor.
A fun, imaginative story with beautiful evening colours of blues and greens.
Mischievous Milly :Inspired by a true story
By Nadia Lim
Illustrated by Fifi Colston
ISBN 9781775438106
Scholastic NZ
Author Nadia Lim, and illustrator Fifi Colston are back together with another wonderful tale from Nadia’s farm. Previous stories have centred on the story of Marvin the chicken, and just like Marvin’s tale, the latest collaboration is also based on truth.
This time, we meet Mischievous Milly, an orphaned baby goat, with her fluffy coat, golden eyes and tiny horns. Milly is bottle-fed until she is old enough to feed for herself. Milly soon discovers she likes strawberries and invades the strawberry patch. She likes to climb, and explore. Milly learns that she also needs friends. A sweet story about animals, family and friends for young readers. Marvin puts in a special appearance too. I love that the bumble bee is back too, buzzing in and out of the wonderfully illustrated pages.
All author proceeds go to charities HUHA and Garden to Table.
Tide’s out Tai Timu
By Frances Plumpton
Illustrated by Stephanie Thatcher
Translation by Darren Joseph
ISBN 9780473637125
Mary Egan Publishing
Tide’s out Tai Timu is a simple but gorgeous bilingual counting book. It features children playing in the sand while the tide is out. They find cockle shells, birds feathers, twisty turret shells and lots more special seaside treasures.
A great book for preschools and primary schools, but also great to add to any child’s first book collection. Counting in English and Te Reo Maori, natural treasures, tidal cycles, and a fun, family day at the beach.
Very sweet.
Who took the toilet paper?
By Amy Harrop
Illustrated by Jenny Cooper
ISBN 9781775437659
Scholastic NZ
If you have ever run out of toilet paper then you will know it is not fun at all. Pa Bear finds himself in just that situation. Lots of shouting can be heard, Lots of blaming each other and different creatures in the forest. Trying to find out a solution is not easy either. Just what is a bear to do?
Fun, relatable, and Jenny Cooper brings heaps of hilarity to the story with her cheeky, comical illustrations full of heart and personality.
A fun family read.
Moonlight Mission
Written and illustrated by Laura Shallcross
ISBN 9781991165718
Beatnik Publishing
Something mysterious seems to be happening in the forest during the night as Hare and Kunekune sleep under the peach tree because when they wake up, there are less peaches in the tree. So begins their mystery and the different creatures they meet on their way to solving the problem.
Laura Shallcross introduced us to Hare before in her book Hare and Ruru which was the winner of the Russell Clark Award for illustration in 2021. The same style of beautiful illustrations fill the pages of this, her latest book. I love the night time colours.