Gavin Bishop and Gecko Press @geckopress bring us another family-focused board book in English; Pops, and Te Reo Maori; Koro. A gentle story of a grandfather and grandchild sharing quality time together.

Pops

Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop

ISBN 9781776574001

Gecko Press

Coming in September.

Written and illustrated with a delightful simplicity, this new board book by Gavin Bishop is perfect for the littlest of readers. A child spends the day with their grandfather. They hold hands as they collect eggs and greens from the garden. They share kai, and stories, and at the end of the day, they fall asleep curled up next to each other. Simple language, yet a very clear message about family bonding and love.

Gavin Bishop creates close-up illustrations of Pop and his grandchild which highlights the close bond they share together. It is a thoughtful, gentle and considered approach, and works very well.

Sweet and meaningful. This works well together with the board book Mihi, also written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop, and in the same format.

There is also a te reo Maori edition, which, as someone who is trying to learn Maori, I find particularly helpful for introducing some basic te reo Maori words.

Great for wee ones at home, but I think these would do very well in pre-schools too.

Koro

ISBN 9781776574018

Remarkable Animal Stories from New Zealand and Australia by Maria Gill @mariagillnz @scholasticnz : Illustrated by Emma Huia Lovegrove. A wonderful collection of stories based on truth that will appeal to all ages.

Remarkable Animal Stories

By Maria Gill

Illustrated by Emma Huia Lovegrove

ISBN 9781775436454

Scholastic NZ and Scholastic Australia

I have just spent a very pleasant afternoon reading this gorgeous new book from award winning author, Maria Gill. Her speciality is writing non fiction and often, creative non fiction. Her latest book fits neatly in the creative side of things.

The animal and bird stories in this collection, are based on truth. Many may be familiar to you as their stories have made the news. Some have even made world-wide headlines; like Inky the octopus, who was known for escaping his aquarium. There are stories that will make you smile; like Moko the dolphin, and some that are a little sad, like Paddles, the cat who was owned by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern.

These are my favourites; Moko, Ken-Joe a cheeky kea, because I love keas, Henry, the oldest tuatara in captivity, and Lulu, a kangaroo who loves cuddles.

The stories are written over double-page spreads which is great for short reading times to share or dip in to when time permits. The likelihood, however, is that you will want to read all these stories in one go.

The illustrations by Emma Huia Lovegrove are created in watercolour and gouache and gorgeous with just the right amount of cuteness. Photos are also included. At the back of the book there is also details of the role of wildlife sanctuaries. Without places like these, many animals would not survive. We need to be aware of what we can do to help these places, as they are the ones who help our animals.

A wonderful book to share with family. Teaching notes provided by Scholastic can be found here.

If you are in Christchurch on Saturday, August 21 then you might want to pop down to the Arts Centre as Maria will be having her book launch for this delightful book. Details can be found here.

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Aotearoa Lost Worlds by Dave Gunson. Informative, interesting non fiction book for children about the prehistory of New Zealand and its climate, land and animals.

Aotearoa lost Worlds

By Dave Guson

ISBN 9781988538662

Bateman Books

Aotearoa Lost Worlds is a non-fiction delight for readers of all ages. Children, and those in particular who love dinosaurs, will love dipping into this book. Looking back at 120 million years of New Zealand’s natural history is quite amazing.

The land, animals, and climate has changed so much over millions of years but author and illustrator, Dave Gunson, brings many of the changes to our attention in his latest book.

I have always been fascinated by the long-extinct Haast’s eagle; the worlds largest bird of prey, so it was very interesting to read. It was so big and it was believed its wing span was 3 metres wide. That is incredible.

I never knew that over 230 million years ago, New Zealand had its own crocodiles. While they are magnificent creatures, I’m very glad we don’t have them around today as I wouldn’t want to run in to one by a river or swampy rest area.

Or you can read about the largest NZ Gecko that grew to over 60 centimetres in length. That is so much bigger than the ones we have today. And of course, you can read about dinosaurs too.

Obviously there are no photos, but Dave Gunson’s illustrations are colourful, detailed and realistic. His research is well-founded and written clearly. This is full of interesting and informative facts. A great book to dip into and again and again.

Just remember by Donna Blaber @DonnaBlaber : A gentle novel of loss, grief, guilt, mermaids, and even a mystery to solve.

Just remember

By Donna Blabler

ISBN 9781927229729

Lighthouse Media Group

After a tragic car accident, grief, loss, and guilt are now part of Em’s life. Her mother’s breakdown and inability to care for Em has meant she now lives far away with her nan. A new school, new friends, and a mermaid are all part of her new life but it is the old life and guilt that is eating away at her.

A detention kept her late at school and when her family came to collect her, there was an accident. Em’s father was one of the people killed in the accident and she blames herself. But is Em really to blame, is her guilt necessary? The author Donna Blabler weaves a story about loss and how we take on guilt, real or misconceived.

Em struggles initially at her new school. With the wrong uniform, shoes, and jumper, everything seems to be a total misfit, including Em herself. She puts up barriers but slowly, with the help of some new friends, the barriers come down. Em also has a secret. Em finds the tree that she and her dad used to sit under during holiday times and while she sits there remembering him and happier times, she discovers a mermaid. As the two build up a friendship, truths are revealed but there is also trouble lurking by, with an elderly man who demands Em keep away from the area.

It is not a long novel and there is lots happening but the story flows smoothly. For all its mysteries and sadness, and fantasy, it is a gentle and warm story dealing with real issues.

Great for 10 – 14 year olds.

My New Zealand Story : Stop the tour by Bill Nagelkerke. Journey to Tangiwai by David Hill @scholasticNZ : Two redesigned editions in this great series on NZ history for middle grade readers.

My New Zealand Story : Stop the tour

By Bill Nagelkerke

ISBN 9781775437178

Scholastic NZ

Forty years ago the face of New Zealand Rugby Tours changed forever. The Springbok Tour of 1981 was held in different cities in New Zealand. The tour included the team from South Africa, and its presence in New Zealand created so much conflict, that it is still talked about today. In South Africa there was a racist apartheid system, where people were treated differently because of the colour of their skin. Black people were segregated from white and not allowed to attend the same places or events, or have the same rights as white people.

When it was known that the South African team; the Springboks, were coming to New Zealand people immediately took sides. Many people thought that sports and politics should not mix and that the tour should go ahead. Many others thought that the apartheid system was so wrong, that the tour should be banned. The nation was divided.

Bill Nagelkerke has given us an insight to this terrible time in our sporting history, through his character Martin Daly.

Martin sits on the fence, not knowing what to think, or who is right. Through a series of incidents, Martin finally takes a side and his life changes. The tour is splitting friends and families. Riots are happening, people are getting hurt and tensions are incredibly high. It is not just adults who are marching against the tour, but students too became involved. Martin’s initial ambivalence is believable but then we see him grow and take responsibility for his choices. Growth in a character is always an indication of a good writer, and a good story, which is exactly what we have in this book.

First published in 2007, this retitled and redesigned version is perfect for a new generation of readers. In time to mark the 40th anniversary, this book is a great reminder that sometimes, you have to learn that sitting on the fence and not taking part, is not good enough. Sometimes, you have to take sides.

My New Zealand Story :Journey to Tangiwai

By David Hill

ISBN 9781775436386

Scholastic NZ

David Hill brings us the diary of Peter Cotterill, a teen Scout who is working hard to attend a major competition for first aid. He studies hard, works a paper round and spends time with his Uncle, recently back from a war that left him sad and angry.
It is 1953 and a year for all New Zealanders to remember. It is the year Edmund Hillary climbed Mount Everest, the same year that the Queen had her coronation, but it is also the same year as one of New Zealand’s worst disasters.

Peter is determined to win the local Scout first-aid competition. Winning the locals will mean he could get to the Nationals and that is what he has his heart set on. There is much happening in the background of all his tests and learning. His Uncle Hugh is not well and getting worse all the time. Peter and his uncle are close so this causes lots of concern. While everyone is looking forward to the Queen’s coronation, Uncle Hugh is very much against anything to do with the royals.

It is on his way to the finals, that Peter finds himself in one of New Zealand’s deadliest disasters. How he survives, you’ll have to read yourself.

I love how David Hill has dropped lots of historical moments in this book. One was the six o’clock closing of the public bars.

Redesigned with a fresh new eye-catching cover, having first been published in 2010, this book will appeal to a new generation of readers, too.

Both books have photos and historic notes to support their time in New Zealand’s history.

World folk tales retold by Elizabeth Kirkby-McLeod. Illustrated by Brent Larsen. Dip and dive into this collection of stories from all over the world.

World Folk Tales

Retold by Elizabeth Kirkby-McLeod

Illustrated by Brent Larsen

ISBN 9781877535666

Giltedge Publishing

World Folk tales is a richly illustrated collection of folk tales from all over the world.

Each tale has its own two-page spread, so the retellings are short and easy to read in just a few minutes. This makes it a delight to open up and dip into whenever you want.

The contents page is handy if you want to know the titles of the tales and which country they come from.

My favourites are; Rata’s Disappearing Waka from New Zealand (of course), Arachne and Athena Compete (Greece) and The Eagle and the Wren (Scotland). There are many more but each and every one is unique and so interesting. The mix of stories offers a variety of myth, legend, folk and fable and each deserves its place in this collection.

There are tales of strength and cunning, tales of kindness and giving thanks. Tales that are at the heart of history.

The illustrations are rich and vibrant and have been well thought out to match the setting of each story. The endpapers have their own tales too. A map of the world and a compass.

I would love to see a second book with even more tales being told.

Mrs Chippy the Cat by Susan Brocker, illustrated by Raymond McGrath. Picture book based on the true story of a special cat and its part on the 1914 expedition to Antarctica

Mrs Chippy the Cat

By Susan Brocker

Illustrated by Raymond McGrath

ISBN 9781775437086

Scholastic NZ

In 1914, Captain Ernest Shackleton led an expedition to Antarctica on the ship Endurance. Our very own New Zealander, Frank Worsley, was part of this famous exploration too. There was also another very special member on board; Mrs Chippy, the tomcat and his owner, Harry McNeish, the ship’s carpenter.

Mrs Chippy was useful as a good mouser, catching all the mice and rats. The crew came to love the cat and when it accidentally fell overboard one day, they rescued it from the icy, Antarctic waters. When the Endurance became stuck in the frozen ice, Mrs Chippy took turns keeping the crew cosy and warm at night time by curling up beside them. Cats are wonderful for keeping you warm on cold winter nights, so this must have been extra special for the crew, as they slept on the freezing ice floe in their flimsy tents.

Susan Brocker brings Mrs Chippy’s story to life, and Raymond McGrath adds to it with his more natural, retro-looking illustrations. There is a sense of ruggedness to the pictures which works well with the historical aspects of the story.

At the back of the book there is a page of historical notes with photos of the real Mrs Chippy, which adds a lovely bit extra to the story.

Batkiwi by Melinda Szymanik. Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White. @MelSzymanik : A heartwarming picture book about being a hero and teamwork.

Batkiwi

By Melinda Szymanik

Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

ISBN 9781775437116

Scholastic NZ

Melinda Syzmanik’s latest picture book, Batkiwi, is just delightful. A heartwarming picture book about teamwork, even if that team is made up of just two members.

Kiwi loves helping his fellow forest creatures and friends. Whenever one of them needs help, he gets his legs running as fast as he can, but it is just not quite fast enough. Feeling sad about not being able to help, he carries thoughts with him that he just can’t be a hero. One night, when feeling extra sad, and hiding in a dark cave, Kiwi hears a voice. The friendly voice of a Bat, offering the best advice, that together they can help in emergencies. Together, Bat and kiwi can be heroes. Batkiwi “A dynamic duo.”

This picture book is supercool. The illustrations totally fit the story. This is a wonderful, visual introduction to New Zealand’s wildlife with colourful pictures of kunekune, ruru, weta, skink, and many others.

It is lovely to see a Te Reo Maori edition also available.

Mangrove by Glenda Kane and illustrated by Lisa Allen. Beautifully illustrated picture book reminding us to take care of our environments.

Mangrove

By Glenda Kane

Illustrated by Lisa Allen

ISBN 978 1988538716

Mangrove is a picture book focusing on the life cycle of a mangrove. It shows the destruction of a habitat as bulldozers and builders move in, with the result that they destroy the mangrove and some of the surrounding wildlife, like fish and crabs. It is a timely reminder to us all of our need to look after our environments, animals, and planet.

The survival of our ecosystems is essential, but it is also up to each of us to make a difference. The amount of plastic rubbish which ends up in the sea or along shore lines, has a disastrous effect on our environment. Books like Mangrove, show us there are simple things we can do to help our ecosystems to survive.

The story takes us through the mangrove and its destruction, through to the final stages, where we have hope, as a new mangrove begins to grow. The artwork is full colour with excellent use of natural colours and images. The text is gentle rhymes with clear messages that we need to help. We need to make a difference now, if we want to save our mangroves and all other ecosystems.

‘If you take the track past the big white shack
to the tidal flats where the mud is black
If you sneak to the left between the tides
you’ll find the place where mangrove hides.’

Mangrove was originally published in paperback some years back; this hardback edition is one to keep.

Partners in slime by Belinda O’Keefe : A rollicking good laugh. Winner of the Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award.

Partners in slime

By Belinda O’Keefe

ISBN 9781775436799

Scholastic NZ

Partners in slime by Belinda O’Keefe is the current winner of the Tom Fitzgibbon award, and deservedly so.

O’Keefe has created believable characters in a setting so familiar, that best friends, Jake and Cooper, could be living right next door to you.

It is 38 days until the official opening of a very special roller coaster at the Adrenaline World, supposedly the best ride in the Southern Hemisphere. Jake wants nothing more than to be there on the very first day but the ride and entry is very expensive. The only way he can afford tickets for himself, and Cooper, is to earn the money. They work on a number of ideas until they finally decide to make and sell slime. However, Jake’s sister, Paige sells slime too and is doing a great trade. As the competition heats up between brother and sister, Jake and Cooper have to come up with a better plan.

When the boys decide to add special ingredients, they end up with a magnetic neon gloop and that is when the action begins. One special ingredient creates a whole heap of disasters. It is also where much of the humour comes into the story.

There is lots going on in this novel. Brother and sister relationships, best friends, school stories, creative thinking, planning and working towards something special, mischief and a bit of mayhem, and of course lots of fun.

This is a book that children can relate to. There is much to giggle through in the novel. Aimed at eight to ten year old readers this is also a good read aloud for parents and teachers to share.

Julia and the Shark. Written by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, illus. by Tom de Freston : beautiful, heartfelt and ultimately full of hope

Julia and the Shark

By Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Illustrated by Tom de Freston

I love this book.

This is the story of Julia, and her parents, who travel to a remote island lighthouse where dad can digitise the lighthouse and mum can search the surrounding sea for the elusive Greenland Shark. Noodles, Julia’s pet cat comes along for the adventure.

This book is heartfelt. Julia’s relationship with her mother is strained which creates much of the tension in the book. There are other causes of pain in this book too; bullying, mental health issues, and much of it is created through lack of communication and misunderstandings. There is an environmental aspect too.

The characters are believable and easy to connect with. When Julia’s best intentions to help her mother, go badly, she puts her own life, and Noodles, at risk. Danger is very real. However, one of the overall messages from Julia and the Shark, is that of hope.

The illustrations are beautiful. Black, whites and grey shades which have a moody, haunting quality. Watch out for the addition of yellow towards the end pictures. Symbolic and beautiful.

Look out for this book for nine years and up, when it comes out in September.

The Great kiwi bedtime book by Donovan Bixley @upstartpressnz : a delightful picture book about settling down for the night. Perfect to snuggle up and read with young ones anytime, day or night.

The great Kiwi Bedtime Book

By Donovan Bixley

ISBN 9781988516882

Upstart Press

Yay for a wonderful Kiwi bedtime picture book, especially for little ones.

This latest picture book by author and illustrator, Donovan Bixley, is just delightful. It has Bixley’s trademark bright, bold and luxuriously colourful quirky illustrations.

The pictures are full-page, corner to corner spreads focusing on animals, birds and even sea creatures, as they settle down for a night’s sleep.

I love the cheeky smiles of the different animals, especially the jelly fish, dolphins and whales. As the animals, birds and creatures begin to sleep for the night, there is one particular bird and their family, who are just waking up.

The Kiwi is ready for fun.

There is lots of alliteration and onomatopoeia which makes reading this book so much fun. Great for reading aloud.

I love the end papers with the front inside cover being pictures of empty beds, and the back end papers showing pictures of animals in their beds.

I am incredibly proud to be a very new and first-time nana and this book is going to be read over and over again with my wee grandson. It is perfect to share with young ones as they snuggle up for the night.

Hare and Ruru : A quiet moment by Laura Shallcrass @beatnik_books : a special picture book about finding peace and calm in a noisy world. Finalist in the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults @nzcya

Hare and Ruru

By Laura Shallcrass

ISBN 9780995118058

Beatnik Publishing

Hare and Ruru is a special picture book suitable for all ages. The words and pictures are gentle and thoughtful, beautifully encased in a hardcover, portrait-sized format.

Hare finds the world too noisy, thoughts and even silence is too loud. Hare goes searching everywhere for peace and calm but without any success, until eventually one night Ruru flies down and offers some suggestions.

Many children and adults too, suffer from anxiety, and noises in particular, can be overwhelming. Some children may recognise themselves in the pages of this book and relate to Hare’s anxiety. When children make connections to stories they learn empathy, but also, if their own personal story is similar, they find hope and that makes this book special.

There are helpful teaching notes at the back of the book so teachers, librarians and parents too, can make the most of this special book. A book to include in any mindfulness collection.

Hare and Ruru is a well-deserved finalist in the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults for 2021.

My Elephant is Blue by Melinda Szymanik. @MelSzymanik Illustrated by Vasanti Unka. A sweet and gentle picture book about dealing with blue days.

My Elephant is Blue

By Melinda Szymanik

Illustrated by Vasanti Unka

ISBN 9780143775645

PenguinRandom House NZ

My Elephant is Blue, is a sweet and gentle picture book about dealing with dark days. A child wakes one morning to find an elephant sitting on their chest. The elephant is heavy, suffocating and feeling blue. It follows the child everywhere. Nothing the family does gets the elephant to go away. The elephant is not even tempted by the taste of chocolate.

As adults, we often have days where everything seems a little gloomy, and mostly, we box on knowing it will pass. Children don’t have the same understanding, so blue days might seem overwhelming and difficult to cope with. This book succeeds in showing children that it is ok to have blue days, and that they will pass. There are things we can do to help. The child learns that going for walks is a good way of coping. They also learn that family are there to help too.

I loved that mum visits the library to get a pile of books out on dealing with blue elephants. Reading and discussing the issues together as a family is great advice.

Melinda Szymanik is an award winning author and this beautiful picture book is her latest picture work.

The illustrations by award winning illustrator Vasanti Unka are soft and simply delightful. As things begin to improve for the child, and life seems less blue, more and more colour spreads across the pages.

This is a wonderful book for younger children at home, pre-school and primary school libraries.

Curiosity is a theme running through these new picture books from Scholastic NZ. A fantail out late at night, two takahē on an adventure, and an octopus playing tag.

Flit the Fantail and the Matariki Map

Written and illustrated by Kat Quin

ISBN 9781775436355

This is the third picture book about Flit the fantail. His popularity is as strong as ever. Flit’s cheeky smile is always what I notice first. His big brown eyes, beautiful wings and feathers, along with that smile, help create a very cute and likeable character. I’m delighted that his little ladybird friend is back to keep him company again.

Flit can’t sleep, he is restless and fascinated by the glowing moon in the night sky. He decides he wants to catch the moon. He flits down to the forest floor and when he looks back up into the sky he notices nine special, sparkling stars. His friend Keri, the Kiwi asks what he is doing awake at this time of night and when Flit tells him he wants to catch the light, Keri offers to help. Together they set off through the night but they soon realise they are actually quite lost. With some help from the wise old Ruru, the adventurous pair learn that by following the bright lights of the nine stars of Matariki, they can find their way home again.

Much like sailors of old, the stars will guide the pair back through the forest and to the safety and warmth of their families.

The illustrations are produced with 2B pencil and Adobe photoshop providing a gorgeous softness and just the right amount of cuteness. This is a lovely addition to the Flit the Fantail stories and a sweet introduction to the stories of Matariki.

There is also a Te Reo Maori edition available.

Takahe trouble (Inspired by true events)

By Sally Sutton

Illustrated by Jenny Cooper

ISBN 9781775437109

What do two Takahē  friends do when they are tired of the same routine and same surroundings? Well, if you are as curious as Walter and Manaaki are, then you escape, runaway and have an adventure. These two takahē did exactly that. They searched for fast cars and scary rats. They met a dog, a stoat and had a jolly good, scary, but very interesting adventure before they were caught and returned safely home again.

Sally Sutton shows her love of language with her very onomatopoeic choice of words.

Toddle-toddle-toddle, chatter, chatter, chatter.

A lovely reminder that home is often the best place to be. Jenny Cooper is one of my favourite illustrators. I love the quirkiness of her characters and their facial expressions. You can tell what they are thinking and feeling, especailly when they are being cheeky.

The last page provides details, and a photo of the real Walter and Manaaki. The two Takahē  now live on Motutapu Island; a predator free place where they can still have adventures but always be safe.

I’m an Inky Octopus

Written and illustrated by Stephanie Thatcher

ISBN 9781775436898

Inky the Octopus takes us on a trip around her home beneath the sea. Playing tag with her friend the jellyfish, Inky darts in and around the rock pools, through the ocean and through the kelp. She showcases her abilities to change colour and spurt out ink when danger is near.

This is a fun rhyming picture book, but it is also a great wee introduction to sea life and the life of an Inky Octopus. Who knew they had three hearts, or even nine brains? I didn’t. You will have to read the book to find out what colour their blood is, as well as other interesting facts. Who wins the game of tag? You’ll have to read the book to find that out too.

The illustrations were created using pencil watercolour and they really are very sweet. Inky is certainly having fun.

There is a Te Reo Maori edition as well.