A selection of new picture books in time for summer from New Zealand children’s book authors and illustrators.

This post is a real mix of reading delight for younger children from New Zealand authors and illustrators. There are kiwi’s, tree huts, even trucks. A little something for everyone.

Kuwi’s Rowdy Crowd

By Kat Merewether

ISBN 9780994136459

Illustrated Publishing

 

If you like cute and cuddly then this is one for you. Kuwi the Kiwi is the creation of Kat Merewether and this is Kuwi’s fourth adventure. This time all Kuwi wants to do is to sit down and relax with a cup of tea. But a variety of New Zealand creatures, and birds turn up and shatter the peace, leaving her more and more frustrated. Kuwi finally reaches breaking point and shouts out to everyone to be quiet. That is when Kuwi discovers something very special. 

Sweet, with the cutest of illustrations, and lots of funny New Zealand references; some specially for the adults reading this book to little children, and a story most of us can relate to, big or small.

 

 

Titan the Truck

By Joy H. Davidson

Illustrated by Scott Tulloch

ISBN 9780473403119

 

Titan is a big truck and he knows the freight he hauls must get through as many people depend on him. Sometimes he hauls logs, cows and even groceries. The one thing in common is that they must all be delivered on time – they can not be late. A little bit of learning all about big trucks and what they do on their journey to get goods up and down the country.

So what happens one day when Titan has an accident?  An adventure for Titan and his driver Baz.

Bright and bold illustrations by Scott Tulloch add to the enjoyment of this picture book.

 

And another one by Joy H. Davidson

The tree hut

Illustrated by Nina Kudinova

ISBN 9780473444181

DHD Publishing

Jack has to leave his home in the countryside and move to the city because of his father’s work. He doesn’t want to leave his tree hut so struggles with the move.
His new home in the city is a townhouse with very little room to play. As if all that is not enough, he believes they may have moved next door to a haunted house.  

 

 

More Kiwi Rhymes for Kiwi Kids

By Peter Millet

Illustrated by Scott Tulloch

ISBN 9781869539955

Bateman Publishing

This is Peter Millet’s second book of rhymes for Kiwi kids. Peter takes traditional rhymes and gives them a New Zealand flavour.

Children will relate to them all. For folks who go camping and have memories of leaky tents in the rain, the rhyme It’s raining, it’s pouring will go down a treat with its special kiwi twist.

Scott Tulloch’s illustrations delighfully support the New Zealand elements of the rhymes.

Check out the book trailer for Ten Green Geckos for some fun.

Great to see so many new picture books being published in New Zealand written by New Zealand authors.

 

 

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Witch’s cat wanted: Apply within by Joy H. Davidson illus. by Nikki Slade Robinson @scholasticnz : What is a witch to do without a cat?

Witch’s cat wanted: Apply within

By Joy H. Davidson

Illustrated by Nikki Slade Robinson

ISBN 9781775433729

Scholastic NZ

This is a delightful picture book about a young witch whose spells don’t work very well. In fact they are quite useless. The reason for her disastrous spells is that she doesn’t have a cat.  As everyone knows, a witch needs a good cat to help cast spells.  So she advertises for a cat but the ones applying for the job are simply not right. The witch asks them lots of questions but she is not having much luck at all with any of the cats who come knocking at her door.

“Could you ride on my broom across the moon,

and stir my cauldron with a wooden spoon?”

Good rhyming text adds to the fun of this story as the witch seeks to solve her problem and finds a friend along the way.

The illustrations are both sweet and funny and personalities shine through. Do watch out for the witch’s cute and comical frog on each page. His smile is contagious.

 Joy H Davidson is the winner of the Joy Cowley Award.

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