Standing alone, he meets Punawai from Honolulu. Puna for short, shows Rangi their ipu heke, used to keep the rhythm and beat to a song. Rangi shows them his poi, explaining what they used to do, and how they use them now.

They meet Kalo from Tonga and Vai from Samoa, who also have taonga from their countries for their performances. The four of them notice a group of other performers laughing at them. Rangi is used to it, proud of his poi skills even though he’s a boy. Puna, Vai and Kalo can relate to Rangi with this too, as they are seen as different in their cultures.

Puna tells them he is Māhū with male and female energy and spirit. Vai is fa’afafine – born a boy with feminine traits being a natural caregiver in their village. Kalo is fakaleitī or leiti and proud of who they are.

‘I don’t know if there’s a Māori word for people like me, but I’m going to find out when I get home,’ said Rangi.

Rangi enjoys the rest of the festival, watching his new friends perform on stage with their cultural groups. On the last day, he enjoys catching up with them all together and hoping that they’ll all meet together another day.

This bilingual (Māori / English) picture book is the sequel to Rere Atu Taku Poi – Let My Poi Fly

Both books follow Rangi who is deemed different by his kapa haka team members because he is the only boy who swings poi. He’s very skilled and despite this difference and his team mocking him, he is proud to perform. He’s pleasantly surprised to meet others like him, who are also seen as different in their villages or islands.

Rere Atu ki Poronihia – Flight to Polynesia introduces three other performers from Samoa, Tonga and Hawai’i who are also transgender or gender fluid – explaining how they are seen in their communities and to themselves.

Each page has Māori first with English below, telling the story of a boy who is proud of his differences, and happy to meet other just like him who love kapa haka and performing as themselves. At the bottom of many pages are translations of special words from Māori to English, which helps all readers build their reo skills.

The illustrations portray each culture in colour and motion and the joy of performing and being part of a cultural festival. My favourite image is the back cover where four new friends from different islands in the Pacific have their arms around each other in a line of belonging.

A beautiful and heartwarming story about diversity and Polynesian cultures.

Author – Tangaroa Paul

Illustrator – Luca Tu’avao Walton

Picture Book

See the first book in Rangi’s story here

(2026, Oratia Books, Aotearoa New Zealand, Bilingual, Sequel, New Zealand, Friendship, Series, Real Life, Polynesia, Hawai’i, Pacific Nations, Tongan, Samoan, Cultural Festival, Performing, Kapa Haka, Diversity, Gender Fluid, Differences)

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At the sight of something smaller, she begins to wonder…

With her imagination ignited, she enjoys her new size, but wonders again and again what it would be like to be smaller… and smaller!

From girl size to possum size, right down to hanging out with ants, she experiences the lives of creatures much smaller than herself.

As soon as you open the cover, you know something extraordinary is happening. This rhyming story will resonate with many young children, as the main character is feeling invisible, left out and small.

When she sees someone smaller, her imagination takes her and the reader on an exciting journey within gorgeous illustrations.

With a beautiful ending this hardback, full colour picture book will leave young minds full of wonder and spark their own imaginings.

Author / Illustrator – Laura Stitzel

Picture Book – Age 4-6

(2026, Walker Books Australia, Animals, Small, Self esteem, Courage, Confidence)

The post Tiny appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

He even worries about his worrying because he knows his worries are not normal. There is worrying about the 1st day of school, or large animals, or noises. These worries are common. But his worries are far more frequent and long-standing worries. His worries hurt his tummy and fill his head with loud, buzzing bees.

People around him say, “Don’t worry about it.”

Or, “Wait until you’re an adult.”

But no matter what he does, he can’t stop worrying.

Worrying about stuff happening in his home and family is just making things worse. But he knows he’s loved by those around him, and has friends that like him too.

He begins to write all those names down, alongside his worries. Gradually, he discovers that he does have some control over his worries, and soon he feels more and more like his old, energetic pre-worry self.

With tips for parents and caregivers at the rear of the book, a place for young readers to write their worries down and a likeable, relatable narrator sharing his journey directly to the reader, this picture book is a great resource for all involved.

Many children are worriers like this young narrator, but with his help, they too can learn ways to dismantle their worries and get back to their pre-worry happy selves.

Beautifully illustrated in soft but full colours by Sarah Trolle.

Author Becky Overeem is passionate about mental health and education, and runs her own business developing teaching and mental health resources.

Author – Becky Overeem

Illustrator – Sarah Trolle

Age – 6+

Non-Fiction

Find a copy here

(2025, Mary Egan Publishing, Aotearoa, NZ, New Zealand, Worries, Worrying, Non-Fiction)

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Everyone looks different. It seems he is The Only Dinosaur in School. Worried about not fitting in, Theo decides he’s not going to this human school.

Mum has an amazing solution and she works hard all night on it. It is enough to sooth Theo’s worries the next day, so this time he walks through the school gates. No one is looking at him. His worries about not fitting in have all but vanished. But the more confident he gets, and after making a new friend, his secret is finally out.

But wait! The other children aren’t quite what they seem either.

From multi award winning NZ author Leonie Agnew, comes The Only Dinosaur in School. Illustrations by Julia Hegetusch highlight all the fears and worries of the first day of school, fitting in, and finally being able to be yourself.

This delightful picture book shows a child wanting to be the same as his classmates, who in fact are all wanting the same thing. Celebrating differences, first friendships and new experiences are all things that children can discover in this gorgeous story. The surprise that awaits Theo will delight young readers too!

Author – Leonie Agnew

Illustrator – Julia Hegetusch

Picture Book

(2025, Scholastic NZ, New Zealand Author, Aotearoa, NZ Illustrator, School, Fitting in, Confidence, Making friends)

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Embarrassed, Ollie sits quietly wishing others would try harder at understanding him. He has a cleft palate, which does make his words a little different from others, but not so much he can’t be understood.

His awkward feelings fade as their coach introduces a new player. Ariā has coloured hair and bright clothing, and doesn’t seem bothered that her new team doesn’t readily accept her.

Ollie and Ariā spend some time together. She acknowledges his skill on the field and assures him that he was in the best position, and that his team mates need to listen better. She can understand him perfectly well. After seeing Ariā’s home and her skill with birds, he can see she really is a good listener.

The next day, Coach has a problem. With Ariā’s skills and Ollie’s new courage, they not only solve a mystery, but prove to everyone that they can understand Ollie. They just need to listen.

The illustration style captured my eye on the cover, and to my joy continued throughout the book. This is a special story about a boy with a cleft palate. His skills on a football field are ignored, as his team mates use his speech as a reason to exclude him.

A new player on the team soon helps restore Ollie’s confidence and receive proper acceptance. Together they solve a mystery, bonding the team, and bringing more understanding of others who might be a little different.

Ultimately a story about acceptance, understanding and empathy, The Hunt For The Whistle portrays a character with a cleft palate. After all, this is the most common craniofacial condition in the world.

At the rear of the book are many voices of children with a cleft palate – letting others know more about it. 

From – Cleft Palate New Zealand

Illustrator – Scott Pearson

Picture Book

Age – 5+

Look inside The Hunt For The Whistle – A Cleft Adventure here

(2024, Huia Publishers, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Illustrator, Cleft New Zealand, Cleft Palate, Football, Soccer, Acceptance, Understanding, Friendship, Team, Mystery)

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The children looked up to see a small shadow waiting outside.

This shadow was a girl with pale skin, shiny hair, and wide eyes. Their teacher asks them to be kind, but the new girl doesn’t return their smiles.

One boy tries hard to befriend her, but still, she hardly takes any notice of what’s happening around her. All she will do is draw. But the things she drew were surprising to her classmate – upsetting things and lots of tears.

He wants to know why she is drawing such things, and begins to learn about his classmate and her recent past. She still won’t speak.

All at once, he finally realises a way to make her smile.

This picture book is a companion to the multi-award winning novel – The Boy at the Back of the Class.

The heart-wrenching themes of war, loss, grief and powerlessness are gently portrayed on the page through a young girl’s drawings. These are the only way she can try and process what has happened in her life.

Another student can see she is scared, feeling lost and scared to meet anyone’s gaze. His acceptance, understanding, empathy and kindness is what finally breaks through to her as he uses something she knows and enjoys to engage with her.

The Girl at the Front of the Class is relatable to younger children, easily opening discussions about empathy and understanding for refugees and asylum seekers. 

A gentle but powerful, full-colour picture book.

Author – Onjali Q Raúf

Illustrator – Pippa Curnick

Picture Book

(2024, Empathy, Understanding, Loss, Grief, War, Refugee, Companion story, Asylym Seeker, School, Students, Drawing, Classmates)

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Dictionary decides she’d like to experiment with some of her words to have a story all of her own.

Alligator sets off on an Adventure inside Dictionary to see what will happen…

By the award winning team who gave us a ‘A Child of Books‘. The Dictionary Story begins with good intentions, but soon the order that Dictionary is supposed to have is tossed about.

This story of words looking for an adventure is simply told and equally illustrated. The imagination factor is deliciously rich however, as chaos reigns inside a curious dictionary with FOMO.

But look closer. Those dictionary listings aren’t quite what they seem, and add sooo much more to this deceivingly simple tale….

Loved it!

I’ve added a copy to my own bookshelves with all my other Jeffers treasures right beside, A Child of Books.

Author – Sam Winston

Illustrator – Oliver Jeffers

Picture Book

(2024, Walker Books, Harper Collins, Books, Stories, Story, Stories, Words, Fitting in, Unique, Imagination, Humour, Funny, Quirky,)

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If only it didn’t come with so many complaints!

• No one likes Monday’s because the weekend has ended.
• They have to go to school.
• They have to go to work.

Everyone knows Monday is the pits, but Monday doesn’t know what to do about it. Until….

She gets a great idea! Why not swap places with one of the other days of the week?!

But there are no takers. Tuesday has yummy things to eat, Wednesday likes being in the middle and Friday just laughs at her. What is Monday to do?

Maybe if she changed her name? But no, everyone knew exactly where Monday was supposed to be. But one day on a Monday, Monday got some mail. It didn’t look like her normal mail…

Suddenly she could see that not everyone hates Mondays!

A bright and colourful book about overthinking other people’s perceptions of you. It’s easy for Monday to believe all the negative stuff she hears about herself, but soon she discovers that not everyone thinks the same.

Negative feelings are so much heavier than positive ones, especially when they outweigh the good stuff. This is a great way to show young children not to just think and believe that others only think badly of them. They are the perceptions and views that should be forgotten – and the positive ones be let to shine.

Confidence in identity is getting harder and harder, for younger and younger children. If only there were more books like this to help children have more belief in themselves earlier, to help build them up and strengthen their self confidence for life. This is to be proud of who they are and to value their own individuality.

Author – Kelly Lee

Illustrator – Amy Calautti

Age – 4+

(2024, EK Books, Exisle Publishing, Identity, Self Confidence, Perceptions, Positivity, Negativity, Individuality, Self Esteem, Self Acceptance, Confidence)

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Spotty really doesn’t like her spots, especially when other zebras are unkind. She doesn’t like being different from her peers, and even tries to disguise her spots. But it never works. She begins to despair, wandering away from her herd. It’s only then she meets another creature who is also very different.

This creature however, lives underground and can’t even see Spotty’s spots. But this mole soon knows there is something wrong as Spotty wails…

“Just look at my patterns,” poor Spotty declared.

“The other young zebras all tease and compare.”

The mole understands Spotty’s dilemma, but has some advice.

“…but all of our quirks and our kinks and our shades 

are part of the wonders that nature parades.”

Spending time with the mole and with the help of some new friends, Spotty tries another look. At first it seems to have done the trick, but it’s not long before her new look backfires too.

The mole’s advice soon becomes clear as Spotty’s loved ones gather around her. Spotty can finally see that she is the one who has to accept the wonderful quirky way she is, before anyone else can.

Spotty the Zebra is just wonderful!

Peter Millet’s rhyme is perfect, his story heart-warming and there are over 10 fun, bright, double spreads by NZ illustrator Raymond McGrath!

The first page / double spread introduces Spotty and her zebra herd. Finding her took only a moment as she has spots not stripes. She is unique. Different. She stands out.

But as in many young zebras / people, she doesn’t want to stand out. She’d much prefer to be just the same as her friends – not different. She tries to change herself to fit in better, but this only brings more heartache. A new friend / mole, personally understands about being different and tells Spotty it’s a good thing.

As in many young zebras / people, it takes a little convincing, and some more wrong turns. When Spotty finally realises being unique is great and her friends and family love her because of it, life is so much better.

Unfortunately, younger and younger people struggle with self esteem, so I can’t wait to show school librarians this wee gem. Spotty the Zebra is perfect to kick off important discussions at school and home about self acceptance, uniqueness, differences and embracing them.

An added extra at the end of the book is another double page spread, this time with photographs of other rare colours in the wild, and one-of-a-kind designs in nature.

Author – Peter Millett

Illustrator – Raymond Mcgrath

Publisher – Scholastic NZ

Picture Book

More book reviews of Peter Millett titles here

More book reviews of Raymond McGrath titles here

(2024, Scholastic NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Wild Animals, Camouflage, Humour, Funny, Zebra, Mole, Differences, Identity, Self Esteem, Fitting in, Being Different, Looking Different, Peers, Family, Confidence, Stripes, Spots, Patterns)

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She keeps it with her others until they begin to hatch. She watches them one by one, and counts six healthy yellow duck chicks. The extra egg lay still, until… it too begins to crack. Mama and her chicks watch another chick emerge. But it’s not yellow and looks nothing like a duck!

This strange chick is striped with big feet and red feathers on its face. Papa duck isn’t kind, but Mama accepts this odd baby bird.

As the chicks grow, it’s soon obvious that feathers and feet aren’t the only difference between them. The striped chick has strange behaviours too, bringing taunts from the ducklings.

“Chucky Ducky!”

“Chunder Wonder!”

One day while on the water, the chick gets separated from its adopted family. Will it find its way home, or will it find something even better? Birds just like him aren’t far away…

With every sale supporting essential Pūteketeke conservation, The Proud Pūteketeke is a welcome addition to New Zealand bookshelves. Many had never heard of this distinctive NZ Native bird before becoming Aotearoa New Zealand’s Bird of the Century.

British comedian John Oliver got behind the Pūteketeke and shared its plight and strange behaviours on his show. Millions of people around the world saw this bird for the first time and donations poured in, also nearly crashing the NZ Forest & Bird site. Many didn’t like the Brit’s ‘interference’, but the bid for Bird of the Century was won by the Pūteketeke by a landslide.

This book is not only a story about an ugly ‘duckling’, its also the perfect way for NZ children to get to know this now-world-famous bird of Aotearoa New Zealand for themselves.

Fifi Colston’s lush illustrations cleverly catch the bird’s feelings through its journey to discover his true identity.

The Pūteketeke is a clever bird, building floating nests and also protecting itself against any sharp bones from its main diet of fish. Puking is a key theme in the book bringing humour and fascinating facts about this distinctive bird. There is more information in the back of the book, and an invitation to read the book again on a search and find mission.

I for one am pleased this pretty, puky, and punk-looking bird is now paddling its way away from extinction.  

Author – Peter Millett

Illustrator – Fifi Colston

Picture Book

Find more books by Peter Millett here

Find more books illustrated / written by Fifi Colston here

(2024, Penguin Books NZ, Native Bird, John Oliver, Forest & Bird, Aotearoa New Zealand, Identity, Family, Fitting In, Self Esteem, Kindness, Change, Floating Nests)

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These are tiny fluffy creatures with big eyes, ears and a tail covered with fluff right to it’s tip. They come in lots of different colours, and were born one night from a clear starry sky.

But there is one Dizzy Waggle that is different from all the others. All of the others have round fluffy tums, but Zozo’s tummy has a heart shaped spot right in the middle.

Not only does he look different, the heart shape shows just how he is feeling. When Zozo is happy, his heart glows bright like summer sunshine. When the other Dizzy Waggles point at him and talk among themselves, Zozo feels nothing but grey inside. It shows clearly through his heart shaped spot.

Zozo is  also a kind Dizzy Waggle, making things for his friends. But when they are hurt, he experiences a new feeling. Anger. It’s not a nice feeling and neither is shame when the other Dizzy Waggles are cross with him.

Suddenly all these feelings are just too much for Zozo and he decides hiding them will be the best way to handle them. It takes a while to do this well, but they begin to build up like a storm inside. It’s only when his kindness jumps into action once more that the true Zozo and all his feelings are out on display again, and his fellow Dizzy Waggles are pleased to see him back.

This picture book is the first in a series of rhyming picture books about small, colourful, furry creatures called Dizzy Waggles.

The star of this episode is Zozo who feels emotions much more deeply than his fellows, and what makes it worse is the teasing for being different.

Some children feel things so deeply, they struggle to control them. Zozo has the same problem, and reading about his inner battles and solutions can help little listeners to talk about their own emotions.

This can open conversations where they can receive some understanding and help by an adult.

This is the first in a series:

‘Teaching Emotional Intelligence and Resilience Through Storytelling’

Author – Cloe Willetts

Illustrator – Fabienne Joni Sopacua

Picture Book

Find your Dizzy Waggle here

(2023, EQ Storytelling, Fluggy Creatures, Emotions, Feelings, Kindness, Wanting to hide, Teasing, Differences, Identity, Special, Series, New Zealand Author, Aotearoa NZ, Solutions)

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No matter how hard Lulu tries, she can’t get the ball through the hoop. Her friends encourage her to keep trying, but someone else is also watching.

A mean, green forest troll jumps out from a bush and begins teasing Lulu. With her feelings hurt, she asks him why he says such nasty things. This troll however, is proud of his nastiness, and brushes off Lulu’s quiet questions.

Later that night, Lulu’s words have sunken in to this troll’s mind and memories where he was once teased too. He also remembers how he used to be before finding it easier to be angry and mean.

Can Dizzy Waggle Lulu’s words – even when she was being bullied herself – make this mean, green, forest troll change?

The 3rd in this rhyming picture book series about ‘Teaching Emotional Intelligence and Resilience Through Storytelling‘, explores bullying, kindness, empathy and self-love.

These cute creatures, even including the troll, help young listeners understand that sometimes bullies are mean because they may be sad, or hurting from their own past events.

Lulu’s own inner strength in her kindness, sees through Forest Troll’s hard, outer armour of mean and reaches his heart. Self-belief is Lulu’s armour and it wins in the end. Her ability to forgive her bully is also a topic opened by this story, which can be observed and discussed with young listeners.

This picture book series starring brightly coloured creatures called Dizzy Waggles, are eye-catching and cute along with other forest animals.

Each book has further questions and activities at the rear of the book, on each emotion shared within it’s full colour spreads.

Author – Cloe Willetts

Illustrator – Fabienne Joni Sopacua

Picture Book

Find your copy here

(2024, EQ Storytelling, NZ Author, NZ / Dutch Illustrator, Wellness focused storytelling, Fantasy, Creatures, Bullying, Bullies, Kindness, Empathy, Apology, Sorry, Being Mean, Self-love, Feelings, Emotions, Angry, Sad, Troll, Name Calling, Teasing, Forgiveness, Friendship)

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When she invites Duck to join them he replies as expected…

Meow!

The first lesson is how to wash. Those tricky places behind the ears are the first place they learn about. The kitten’s follow Mama Cat’s instructions. And so does Duck.

Climbing is next. Kittens use their claws. Duck doesn’t have claws, but he doesn’t give it a second thought. He has his own way of climbing.

Stalking. Waiting. Pouncing are next on the list. Landing isn’t quite Duck’s thing, but maybe he just needs more practice.

Eating is certainly not a problem and Duck aces that. He loves his Cat lessons.

But then others begin to laugh…

Duck’s confidence is a little shaken. Maybe he is too different?

Mama Cat is not far away, ready to smooth Duck’s feathers and fears.

A follow up story to the award winning book – Duck Goes Meow.

This time Duck is not just sounding like a cat, but learning the finer points of being one.

A perfect rhyming, reading-on-knee picture book to share, whilst also touching on self confidence.

Author – Juliette MacIver

Illustrator – Carla Martell

Picture Book

Find more reviews of Juliette MacIver books here

(2024, Scholastic NZ, Animals, Duck, Cats, NZ Author, New Zealand Illustrator, Aotearoa, Mothering, Teaching, Learning new skills, Humour, Cute, Self Confidence, Bullies, Be Yourself, Series, Fitting In, Resilience, Self-Esteem, Identity)

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The other boys pull faces and muck about while the girls practice, but Rangi is transfixed as their pois fly and their steps and timing is perfect. Calling out in support, he joins their song, but the other boys instantly begin teasing him, saying Poi is for girls!

Rangi feels embarrassed for the rest of the day until he visits his Nan after school. She knows and understands his love of poi and has a pile of kapa haka competitions on video Rangi loves to watch and follow with his own Poi. Now he can swing and enjoy Poi as much as he likes without ridicule.

On the night of the celebration ceremony, a key member of the Poi group can’t go on stage, and uncertainty spreads through the performers. Who will lead them?

Rangi’s best friend Tū blurts out Rangi’s secret. He’s seen Rangi swinging Poi every morning before school. He can lead the Poi.

The Poi group is surprised at this request. The audience is surprised to see Rangi appear on stage in front of the girls. But no one is more surprised than Rangi on how good it feels to perform his true Kapa Haka love – Poi.

He leaves everyone in awe of his amazing skill with the Poi and the longing to perform Poi with the girls has bloomed into something much more.

Ka mutu pea! How wonderful! This bilingual story is gorgeous with te reo appearing first on the pages with English underneath. te reo is used within the English portion too, with these words listed in small print at the bottom of the page. This is a great way for any reader to add more te reo Māori to their knowledge.

Rangi is a gorgeous boy and he yearns to join in with the girls and their Poi. He struggles with the teasing that results, but has support in his grandmother to pursue his love of Poi. When he does finally get his chance to perform with the girls, he not only saves the performance and shines on stage, he shines right off the page as he achieves his dream.

The illustrations add so much to this wonderful story with swoops of colour and Māori design behind the action and characters as they tell the story. A story of diversity, acceptance, inclusivity and being your true self – all wrapped up in a purely New Zealand story that can be read and enjoyed anywhere in the world.

Simply beautiful!

Author – Tangaroa Paul

Illustrator – Rebecca Gibbs

Picture Book

See the sequel here

(2024, Oratia Books, Kapa Haka, School, Performance, Celebration Ceremony, Practice, Bilingual, Te Reo, Poi, Different, Diversity, Culture, True Self, Acceptance, Courage, Self Belief, Confidence, Nana, Video Tapes, Natural, Feelings, Teasing, Teased, Laughed at, Expectations, Authentic Self, Queer, LGBTQ+)

The post Rere Atu Taku Poi – Let My Poi Fly appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

Another sees this synchronicity and fun, and really wants to join in. It’s Chicken who is watching and wondering…

‘Hey what you doing? I’d like to play

Yes, well you can’t, so please go away.’

Chicken is super keen however and won’t give up trying to join in. He tries everything, including many different instruments, but Bear & Squirrel are NOT interested in letting Chicken into their tight twosome.

Chicken decides he doesn’t need Squirrel & Bear. He will find friends elsewhere…

Unfortunately this is not a good idea. Bear & Squirrel realise – almost too late – that they may have made a terrible mistake!

The perfect story to show that – Yes, two is good. But – three can be even better.

Letting new friends join into tight groups can be hard at first, because it is a little different. But change can be a good thing and a new friend can bring all sorts of wonderful new experiences.

The feeling of fitting in, or belonging is important to all of us, and begins early. Seeing this happen on the page with three animals can kick-start a chat about inclusion, sharing and acceptance with young children.

The rhyme is right on the button, short, concise and with humour, bringing laughter to the problem.

Main characters Bear & Squirrel are clear on uncluttered white backgrounds, which allow young readers to see what’s going on in each page. The animals are all drawn with fun emotions and actions, all while sorting the conundrum of two’s company, but three’s a crowd. 

But isn’t life better with the more the merrier?

This is the third book in the Bear & Squirrel Picture Book series.

Author – Smriti Halls

Illustrator – Steve Smalls

Picture Book

(2022, Simon & Schuster, Series, Animals, Bear, Squirrel, Chicken, Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd, Inclusion, Joining in, Music, Playing Together)

The post I’m Sticking With You Too appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

It is Agnes’ job to put her feathered friends away in their coop at night, but one chicken chooses to ignore Agnes’ instructions.

This chicken is called Rosie, and she doesn’t like to follow the other chickens every day. They are tidy and neat in everything they do – laying, marching, pecking and even sleeping.

Rosie prefers to roam and explore than peck in straight lines or lay in the coop’s nesting boxes. The other hens think she’s a bit strange in her ways and one day they decide to turn their tails on her.

Rosie is upset at this, wondering whether she should be what they want her to be, and Agnes tries to help.

It’s only when they need her independent ways to save them one night, that Rosie realises it’s better to be herself after all.

The 2nd in the Agnes picture book series, Agnes and the Hen shows the power of being yourself and not just following what others around you do.

Clare Therese Gray’s illustrations are in a gentle palette, whilst letting Rosie’s bright character shine through. Agnes and the Hen is a great way to open discussions on individuality, creativity, and being your true self.

Animals, friendship, intrigue and a little danger to keep young listeners on the edge of their seats.

Author – Ellie Rowley

Illustrator – Clare Therese Gray

Picture Book

See inside here

(2023, Dorling Kindersley, Farm, Animals, Series, Dog, Chickens, Foxes, Individuality, Being Yourself, True self, Self Esteem, Saving the day, Bravery, Identity, Belonging, Fitting In)

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Begin Again is a continuation of Jeffers study of the human condition. Who we are as human beings, and how we can be the best we can – to others and our planet. The first book that began to explore this was Here We Are – written for his first child, his son, Harland. As a first time parent, the world suddenly seemed a different place. Here We Are is introducing humankind and the world to his child who is in effect a blank slate.

Another step in the understanding of the world around us is Meanwhile, Back on Earth – putting our squabbles, and perceptions of own space into perspective.

Begin Again sweeps all of that up, taking us back in human history. Way, waaaaay back. To the discovery of fire. No wait. Even further back to when we emerged from the oceans. We discovered and used fire, found the energy to make tools, build shelter, find food. This becomes ideas, creativity, progress through the ages – all stemming from the simple things in life. Warmth, shelter, food and each other. The creativity became art and story, bringing us together and then being passed on.

Somehow these basic things have become overshadowed. The little things seem to have been superseded with bigger, better, more and how to get even more. Time seems to have sped up. Community, connection and kindness have increasingly become wealth, individuality, and growth at any cost.

Borders are now well established, between towns, counties and countries and ‘us and them‘ exist like never before. But it’s not until a group of astronauts shared what they learnt when looking back at our planet as an object sitting in space, that we could understand something. From space, countries, borders and fences don’t exist. There is land or water. There are no them and theirs. There is only our home – for all of us.

“With distance comes perspective.”

The illustration style we know and love shares these thoughts and questions for our future in a positive, hopeful way. Humans are the masters of adaptation, and we can adapt for our new future – to ensure our future, not only for ourselves or our children, but for their children’s, children’s children’s children and beyond.

This book’s message and reason is clear to all who read it, without any preaching, doom or negativity – in fact, I found it to celebrate humankind in its adaptability and creativity to find solutions. This is further explored in a personal essay by Oliver Jeffers in the rear of the book.

“This book is the culmination of that observation and optimism.”

Let this multi award winning author and artist take you on a journey, and shoot you into any number of possible futures we can all dream up – together.

Author / Illustrator – Oliver Jeffers

All ages

(2023, Harper Collins, Earth, Humankind, Our future, The simple things in life, Essay, Hope, Creativity, Warmth, Shelter, Food, Community, Story, Stories, Sharing, Connection, Us not them, People)

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We all can have this happen to us. A knot, or a problem appears, and the more we hope it will go away – the bigger it gets. Soon we can’t think about anything else…

This book from the talented and Multi Award winning Professor of English, Poet, and Author – Selina Tusitala Marsh, is for anyone (especially children) who might have a worry or a problem that just won’t go away.

Mophead’s Guide to Life is funny, thoughtful and a journal – giving you a place to write things down, draw and experiment with making your problem smaller and more manageable.

Children from all over Aotearoa New Zealand have sent her post it notes with their question or problem written down. These are the first things a reader sees when you open this book. This shows young readers that others might have the same problem, and straight away make their own worry not so isolating.

These Post It problems from young New Zealanders tore at my heart, and it’s wonderful that this book has been written for them and hopefully provides a solution or a place where worries, problems and knots can be unravelled, even if only a little at first.

There are 11 different knotty problems tackled in this book with creative ways of looking at the problem, with colour coded pages and humour. The text is large and clear and the illustrations and exercises fun and easy to understand.

Some of the knot untangling advice will also help young writers with their creative questions or conundrums.

This journal-styled book would be a great gift to any young person struggling with something, but unable to share their worries out loud. Writing or drawing problems down can be an essential first step in problem solving directions and parental, caregiver or teacher help.

Perfectly pitched at young people with a knot or problem.

Author / Illustrator – Selina Tusitala Marsh

Age – 8 – 80 years

(2023, Auckland University Press, Problems, Worries, Fears, Conundrums, Worry, Writing, Creativity, Solutions, Answers, Sharing problems, Writing, Drawing, Journal, Guide to Life, Self help)

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The bigger his worries grow, the bouncier the T-Rex becomes – even doing twist and flips!

A young student stands alone with their worries swirling in their stomach. Someone said something mean and she’s not sure how to feel.

More worries bloom at school when words have been tossed around to make others feel mad or sad.

What can they do to make the T-Rex stop its Tummy terrors?

Maybe some fresh air with a walk outside? Telling someone they trust about the T-Rex?

‘Never feel you need to keep your worries to yourself.

Getting something off your chest, it really, really helps.’

There’s a T-Rex in my Tummy is a brightly coloured rhyming picture book for any young child with anxiety.

Many situations can upset children in their daily life. Changes in home or school life. Unkind words or exclusion at school. Or even seeing someone else upset or angry.

Getting a child to open up about their specific worries is often difficult. This simple but concise picture book is absolutely perfect to read to them – giving simple solutions they can do themselves, anywhere or anytime they feel that T-Rex stirring in their tummy.

The rhyming and coloured illustrations will capture their senses, and the text will connect with any anxiousness down deep.

A great read aloud picture book to read to young children to either counteract worries before they get too big, or tackle them once present.

Author – Kellie Dawson

Illustrator – Sarah Healey

Picture Book

Find your copy here

(2023, WaiAko Books, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Worries, Fears, Anxiety, Change, Security, Friendship, Dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Solutions, Peer Pressure, School)

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Living near a beach, he also liked to look along the sand and even into the rockpools to see what was revealed when the tide went out. He found many wonderful creatures to look at.

But one day on the beach, Trevor gets a big wet surprise. A huge wave picks him up and sucks him far out to sea. Trevor isn’t frightened however, because his curiosity turns this surprise into an adventure!

Seagulls far above watch Trevor on his journey across the waves. Sometimes Trevor paddles, and sometimes he flies. He’s very very tired when he reaches another beach. This beach doesn’t have rockpools as he is used to. It is a beach of golden sun and sand – where he quickly falls asleep.

Later, he is woken by another bird. Trevor has never seen one like it. Veka is her name, and she takes Trevor away from the beach to a local village. He doesn’t realise at first, but Trevor is the only bird like him on this island called Niue.

Based on a true story, Trevor the Mallard Duck arrived on the island of Niue in 2018. No one knew where he came from, but it was believed he may have been blown there in a storm. With no streams or rivers on the island, Trevor swam in a roadside puddle, which was topped up by the local fire brigade when it got low.

Although thought lonely, Trevor had many human friends who kept him well fed, and some feathered friends too – including a weka, a rooster and a chicken. Trevor was named after a NZ Government Minister – Trevor Mallard, and the name stuck.

This gorgeous picture book tells Trevor’s remarkable adventure story.

Author – Lynda Finn

Illustrator – Nikki Slade Robinson

Picture Book

(2023, Scholastic, NZ , New Zealand, Aotearoa, Mallard Duck, Birds, Animals, Journey, True Story, Niue, Pacific, Adventure, News, Famous, Island, Ocean, Adventure)

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