When the young mouse slows down, he notices someone else out on their way somewhere. He looks down at the bright blue bug and asks,

“Where do you think it’s going?”

“Going home, perhaps,” answers Dad.

Their adventure continues through fields, along a river and even further. There are so many others out too, on such a lovely autumn day.

Together they have ice cream and swings, sit atop pinecones and watch butterflies, spending special time together remembering. A dandelion wish is made  – before they set off for home.

A sumptuous picture book in production and illustration. With gold tints on both front and back covers, exquisite illustrations throughout and an adorable story of father and son together on an outing – Going Home is simply gorgeous.

When adventures have been had, a tasty treat all finished, these mice sit and remember someone special.

Going Home is not a story to be rushed. My favourite page is with no words at all. It is quiet and gentle and full of love, for someone lost and between those left behind.

Just beautiful!

Author / Illustrator – Simon Howe

Picture Book

Learn more about Simon Howe here

Publisher – Walker Books

Set – A Mouse’s world

Viewpoint – 1st person

Real Life – No

Fantasy – Animal Characters

(2026, Walker Books, Father Son time, A walk, Autumn, Loss, Time together, Special Time, Remembering)

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Charlie reads the title. A Gentleman’s Rule Book for Rocks. That’s exactly what Charlie’s problem feels like. A rock.

Together, they go through each rule about rocks. At first Charlie is intrigued and relieved to have some advice, but soon wonders whether the rules in the book are the best things to follow after all. In fact, the rules are making things even worse – his rock even bigger than ever.

Can they find another way?

With Josh Morgan’s distinctive and vibrant style we loved in Dazzlehands and The Bomb, A Guide to Rocks is an entertaining and thought provoking read. This full colour picture book is perfect for ages 5 – 10 who may feel they are carrying their own ‘rocks’ around.

The age-old kiwi way of:

She’ll be right

Don’t talk about it

Keep it to yourself

is delved into brilliantly as father and son explore old and new ways to deal with a problem. This is made even clearer on the back page in a clear, fun way.

Sacha Cotter’s fun portrayal of problems as rocks aptly shows how ‘rocks’ can quickly grow bigger if ignored or by following the old-fashioned mantras. Both father and son learn from each other in the story, realising their mental health benefits from “sharing feelings, worries, problems and more.” 

Perfect for bookshelves at home and at school, and although for young readers, the topic is applicable to all of us. 

Loved it.

Author – Sacha Cotter

Illustrator – Josh Morgan

Publisher – Huia Publishers

Picture Book

Age – 5-10 years

(2025. Huia Publishers, NZ, New Zealand, Mental Health, Worries, Problems, Sharing problems, Feelings, Family, Secret, Heavy feelings, Weight on shoulders, Father Son Relationships, Solutions)

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A Kids Book About Divorce helps broach the topic before it happens or while it’s happening, all in a simple easy to understand format and text.

Beginning with a note to parents, this book helps break down the parts of divorce. The author is divorced herself, and she speaks directly to the reader.

Do they have lots of questions? Ashley answers many of them in a clear, calm way.

She explains what Marriage is first, then explains what Divorce is. Feelings can be racing around and that’s OK.

Ashley is honest about divorce, and that it can not be fixed and is not the reader’s fault in any way. There will be changes ahead, but they aren’t all bad, and explains some of the positives – from everyone’s point of view.

The format of this book (as in others in this series) guides the reader through a part of life that many young and old will experience. Its limited, simple text, with colour at appropriate times, can be read as fast or as slow as required – allowing the reader and young listener to absorb the sentence on the page, and stop and ask questions.

A Kids Book About Divorce is a helpful bridge between adult and child on this often distressing, confusing concept.

Author – Ashley Simpo

Age – 5+

(2025, Divorce, Family, Fears, Feelings, Questions, Answers, Way forward, New ways of being a family, Two homes, Series, A Kids Book)

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Dad left with his belongings and Nan came to stay, tidying the broken pieces away. Frankie knew it was a special vase – a gift from Dad to Mum and used in so many special events and daily life. But now it’s gone forever.

Frankie’s not sure what to do – until Nan suggests a trip. At the end of a drive together, Nan diverts Frankie’s sadness with new experiences, then finally reveals what she wants to show her.

In front of them both, large on a museum wall, is a beautiful mosaic. Frankie realises that each piece has been made of pieces like Mama’s broken vase, and many more pieces of ceramic. Frankie can see with her own eyes, that something broken can be remade into something beautiful. Different but wonderful. New and special.

An initially sad but gentle story about a family broken along with a special vase on a day a father leaves, and a mother retreats in her sadness.

A small girl struggles with the sudden change in family dynamics as it fractures into separate pieces. The use of mosaic art in an easily understandable way to show a child that broken things can be remade – giving her another perspective on her new situation.

This gorgeous hardback is illustrated with pastel shades and gentle smiles throughout. The Mosaic is a tender way to help young children navigate family changes and parental separation.

Author – Deborah Kelly

Illustrator – Nicky Johnston

Picture Book

(2024, Exilse Publishing, EK Books, Family separation, Coping with change, Ceramicist, Art, Remaking something, Repurposing, Confusion, Upset, Dad leaving, Nan, Nana, Grandmother, Love, Family, Understanding)

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“What did that tree ever do to you?”

Dad believes they will have a better view without the tree in the way, but his children believe the tree IS the view.

Dad continues to swing the axe despite the native birds gazing down at them from the branches. Finally, the tree falls to the ground and Dad decides he’s done enough work for the day.

There is a surprise waiting for them all the next morning. The very tree Dad chopped down is standing just as it did the day before. Dad can’t believe it, gazing up and scratching his head.

“But how?”

Pani tells them of a myth about a Māori warrior who once cut down a tree for a waka taua. Dad shakes his head and returns with a chainsaw…

Again, the tree has other ideas.

A modern retelling of the classic pūrākau (legend), Rātā and the tree.

Just as it was when it was first told, the importance of Nature and our relationship with it, is the key theme of this picture book/legend.

It is Nature that repairs this tree, determined to let it stand. Man may have the sharp blades but Nature is the stronger force, and a Dad and his children experience the magic of its power.

Told in both Māori and English, this bilingual picture book is perfect for any school or home library. The birds, insects and spiders that feature in the story are shared at the bottom of pages, also in bilingual format.

I particularly liked the way Nature became stronger with each rebuilding of the tree, both in force and within the stunning illustration style.

Author – Tim Tipene

Illustrator – Ani Huia Ligaliga

Picture Book

Find more reviews of Tim Tipene books here

(2024, Oratia Books, Bilingual, English/Māori, Trees, Axe, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Family, Determination, Myth, Legend, Nature, Cut down, Rātā and the Tree, Insects, Birds)

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There are mums, dads and children. There are children with just a mum, or a dad, or even grandparents. Sometimes a parent can be replaced with an aunt or uncle coming to stay, or sometimes families blend together.

Some families have two dads. Some have two mums. Some have uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, step siblings, sisters and brothers all together!

No matter how BIG the family, or how small, they are still a family. It doesn’t matter if they go out to work or work from home, or stay home to do all the jobs to be done. It doesn’t matter if families live far apart – seeing each other on a screen until they can be together again. Or if a parent leaves to live somewhere else – they are all still families.

This can be confusing when a child’s world changes, even if family members explain what is happening. Emotions can run wild through family members, but one thing stays true. Everyone’s family is different, and no matter what happens, there are members of every family who still love their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and siblings.

Illustrated in soft colours and with gentle expressions on the folk within its pages, Some Families Change is a wonderful way to explain to small children that change is normal and they will be okay.

It travels through the plethora of changes that can happen within families and all the different scenarios a child may be facing. It is also great for children to recognise other people’s family make-ups and see that is also okay.

The rhyming text flows beautifully and is clear on the page. I can imagine a child reading this through with a loved one at bedtime and learning the rhyme themselves as a balm for any worries before sleep.

Gorgeous.

Author – Jess Galatola

Illustrator – Jenni Barraund

Picture Book

For more books about Change in children’s lives look here

(2024, EK Books, Exisle Publishing, Families, Family, Whanau, Changes at home, Two Dads, Two Mums, Difference, Different families, Love, Belonging, Diverse families, Step brothers, Step sisters, Split families, Single Parents, Raised by grandparents, Emotions, Feelings)

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Finally ripping the paper from the gift she discovers a pair of roller skates! They are her favourite colour too – Red!

Ruby can’t wait to try them out the next day and she puts them on as soon as she can.

Ruby had never roller skated before, but she was sure it would be easy peasy.

Skating in the house proved to be a little more difficult than she thought. Dad offers some help but Ruby is sure she’s got this. Surely skating is going to be Easy Peasy?

Outside brings the same problems as inside, but the knocks are a lot harder. Dad offers his help again, but Ruby’s excitement with her new skates is fading fast.

It’s great how many children are really keen to give new things a go. When they discover it’s a lot harder than they first thought their confidence takes a bit of a knock, just as Ruby’s knees and elbows do as she tries to learn to roller-skate.

This confidence knock can easily turn into I-never-want-to-try that-again in a child’s mind if not coaxed into receiving some help.

Ruby’s dad is patient, allowing Ruby to do things for herself, but is on hand to help when his daughter is ready to ask for it.

A brightly illustrated picture book using a mixed media style of collage and illustration, showing young readers it’s okay to ask for help if you need it (especially if it means they won’t miss out on something as wonderful as roller skating.)

Author – Ky Garvey

Illustrator – Amy Calautti

Picture Book

(2023, Exisle Publishing, Roller Skating, Trying new things, Asking for help, Fun activities, Roller skating rink, Confidence, Courage)

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Over in the Meadow.

This stunning Kiwi version is a window into an underwater world. Not only does it feature playful penguins and a delicate seahorse family, we see a rare Maui Dolphin leaping with her young. There are more – sharks and moray eels, and the rarest sea lion in the world too.

Each animal has a double page spread, capturing a mother or father with their young. Each has a lesson for their children, depending on where they live, how they eat or even hide from predators.

The first page has one young animal, the second two, right up to ten young reaching out into the world for the first time.

The repetition and rhyme is perfectly timed and perfect for reading aloud, giving the young reader or listener opportunity to join in. The interactive element can then be added – counting each family member up to ten.

Award winning illustrator Jenny Cooper’s luscious illustrations take us down into the ocean where it is cool and calm, sunlight rippling down across glistening bodies. Then we’re up, leaping out of the water, white spray and churning bubbles left behind.

The illustrations capture the personalities of each animal, and there are some humorous additions too. Out in the Moana is a gorgeous way to introduce sea life to a little one, with an older sibling helping count out animal brothers and sisters on each page.

In the rear of the book are snippets of information about each creature, for any animal lovers or even budding marine biologists!

Author – Yvonne Morrison

Illustrator – Jenny Cooper

Picture Book

(2021, Scholastic NZ, Aotearoa, NZ, New Zealand Sea Life, Counting, Ocean, Sea, Eels, Sharks, Seahorse, Sea lion, Animals, Fish, Dolphins, Crabs, Crustaceans, Marine Life, Based on a classic, Family, Siblings, Jellyfish)

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“Because that’s what Dragons do.”

But someone else arrives, stopping the dragon’s fire!

“Hey! What did you do that for!”

This character has her own fun things of showing who she really is. But…. along comes someone even more spectacular!

Glittery, flowery and Wow!

Again and again, another character arrives to steal the show, take the attention and show their stuff.

Far out Zippy, zap! Then all is revealed. Sisters are imagining together before bedtime, relishing in the noises of their characters and all the actions too.

Dad has the final say, calming them, tucking them in, and kissing goodnight.

Absolutely adorable! I love this picture book! The illustrations burst off the page, showing the explosions and energy of imagination the two girls have as they invent one character after another to over ride the one before.

Reading this before bedtime will be so much fun, even if a little time might be needed to calm littlies down again. Sounding out the noises and performing the actions of the characters will be easy and imaginations broadened along the way. Book design is spot on, with repetition and alliteration. 

The final words of the book are wonderful too.

Wish I’d found this sooner!

Author / Illustrator – Raymond McGrath

Picture Book

See more illustration work by Raymond McGrath here (Click on a Cover)

(2021, Scholastic, NZ, New Zealand, Imagination, Bedtime, Sisters, Siblings, Humour, Adorable, Adventures, One-up manship, Competition, Family, Laugh)

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Tell us about your Dad!

Leo doesn’t know his dad. It’s always been him and Mum. He decides to ask Mum at home but she’s busy saving the world in her new story.

Leo’s searches high and low looking for clues or a solution, until he realises it was in front of him all along! He’s ready to do his presentation in class!

Many children have one parent or care giver who is lots of loved ones rolled into one. Mum/Dad or Dad/Mum. Grandma/Mum/Dad or a plethora of other possibilities.

Leo’s realisation is wonderful.

Author – Dimity Powell
Illustrator – Nicky Johnston
Picture Book

(2022, Exisle Publishing, Family, Dads, Mums, School Project, Fitting in, Class speech, Presentation, Fathers, Author mum, Truth, Love)

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There’s a swing seat on a porch, park benches and a bus stop. All hold fathers who hold, help, and support their sons as they grow.

They talk, they point at the stars or proudly hold sports trophies in the air. Sons and fathers, boys and men, enjoying the quiet moments, the sad, the unsure and the gloriously happy – together.

Written for her husband Harry, The Duke of Sussex and their son Archie, Meghan The Duchess of Sussex wanted to show the loving and growing relationship between fathers and sons. This is portrayed in both her rhyming text and in Christian Robinson’s illustrations.

Although The Bench is uncomplicated in text and watercolour depictions, father and son relationships are a constantly evolving thing as years pass. From a baby through to a teen, sons need their fathers and fathers love their sons on every page.

Simple but beautiful. A perfect gift for a new dad. Take the dust cover off and see some special initials carved into the wood grain of the hidden cover.

Author – Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex

Illustrator – Christian Robinson

Picture Book

(Penguin UK, 2021, Dad, Son, Father, Papa, Ages & Stages, Growing up, Family, Love, Achievements, Togetherness)

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Dressing in his favourite bright, loud coloured clothes, Dad’s calls are soon rumbling under his feet. Down the stairs he dashes to breakfast.

“Can bears ski?” asks Dad. Little Bear thinks it’s a strange question.

At school Teacher Bear asks him, ‘Can bears ski?‘

David Bear asks him at lunch, ‘Can bears ski?‘

Dad Bear takes Little Bear to a Doctor Bear. She has a special name. An Au-di-ol-o-gist. ‘Can bears ski?‘ she asks. After lots of tests, Doctor Bear fits two small plastic things in his ears. Finally he understands the strange question.

It’s not ‘Can bears ski?‘ at all. His new hearing aids open up a whole new noisy world for Little Bear.

This story of a father and son’s discovery of his hearing difficulty is heart warming. Little Bear doesn’t know any different, happy in his quiet places. It’s only when he goes to school that the teacher notices, Little Bear misses out on jokes among his friends, and a trip to an audiologist reveals the scope of the problem.

Not only does this gentle journey promote understanding among young children about others who are hearing impaired, but also how to ensure they are understood themselves. Little Bear himself also shows how clever he is learning to lip read. Any child with a hearing difficulty or even glasses will recognise themselves in Little Bear.

Author – Raymond Antrobus

Illustrator – Polly Dunbar

Picture Book

(2021, Walker Books, Deafness, Hearing Impaired, Hearing Aids, Audiologist, Audiogram, Audiology, Ears, Lip Reading, Therapy, Empathy, Understanding, Animals, Family, Love, Father)

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But now he is sick and he doesn’t want to do those things anymore because he is too sad. Mum says his thoughts are muddled and he has to see a doctor. Maybe the doctor can give Dad some magic medicine to bring back the dad she knew?

But in the meantime… they can find other things to do together. They can connect through music, movies, story and art. Maybe she hasn’t lost her dad after all.

A sad but beautiful picture book exploring a child’s view of a parent’s depression. These feelings, along with the young girl’s confusion and anger is portrayed in darkening squiggly lines the further you venture through the book. The squiggles lighten again, and although they are still there, new connections help keep them at bay.

The bond between father and daughter is evident on every page. Gorgeous. A gentle way of explaining depression and a way forward that a child can relate to.

Author – Michelle Vasiliu

Illustrator – Gwynneth Jones

Picture Book

(2020, Exisle Publishing, Depression, Family, Dad, Father, Feelings, Sadness, Confusion, Treatment, Connections, Understanding. Patience, Love, Understanding)

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What’s this? A door through her bedroom wall? In awe, he steps into the lantern-lit forest and climbs aboard a dragonboat that seems to be waiting for him. Ahead he sees his daughter with her friends and soon catches up. She’s angry with him, but there is no time to talk. The Emperor’s soldiers are coming!

The girl and her father have to combine their imaginations and work together to defeat their pursuers and their colourless fate once and for all.

Look closely at the illustrations and see the changes that have affected the young girl’s world. This story will have you cheering their ingenuity and courage.

A fabulous conclusion to the wordless trilogy of Journey, Quest and Return.

Author / Illustrator – Aaron Becker

Picture Book

See a review of other books in this trilogy here

(2017, No Text, Colour, Series, Family, Father, Magic, Fantasy, Courage, Imagination, No words)

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Dad has been far away, fighting in the war, and singing his song has helped keep their spirits up on their long wait to see him again. Now he will soon be home.

Dad returns, but he isn’t who Rita remembered. Thomas is confused and Mum is worried. Rita reaches out to her Dad with a treasured memory, and slowly but surely they help Dad find his way back to them.

This family’s journey from joy to worry and back again is simple and gently sombre. The muted colour illustrations show kindness, formality, and children’s past times from 1918. The most important aspect of this story is the mental illness that also came home.

At the time, returning soldier’s shell shock (now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD) was largely misunderstood, and families had to cope with their ‘changed’ men as best they could. Released on the centenary of Armistice Day, When Dad Came Home highlights this illness with the respect it deserves.

Author – Vanessa Hatley-Owen

Illustrator – Rosie Colligan

Age – 6+

(2018, Oratia, WWII, World War II, Shell shock, Family, Grief, NZ, Hope, Love)

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