“Hello Daddy!” says a tiny yellow bird.

“I’m not your Daddy. I’m a bear, and you look like a gosling.”

But no matter how many times Bear reminds the little goose, Gozzle set her eyes and heart on being a Gozzle-Bear.

Gozzle follows Bear up trees, into fields, across rivers, and she falls asleep with him in his cave at night.

The seasons pass and Bear still can’t go back to life on his own. By Summer, Gozzle is looking much more like a grown-up goose, and much less like a Gozzle-Bear. But it’s only another young goose that convinces her the truth.

Just when Bear had got used to sharing his life with Gozzle, she decides she likes hanging out with her new feathered friends instead.

Will she come back?

An adorable story about family, identity, and the passing of seasons. This shows the normal cycle of a goose from gosling to growing up to fly away for winters.

Just like in the huge hit Wild Robot by Peter Brown, there is someone waiting for her when she returns.

Author – Julia Donaldson

Illustrator – Sara Olgivie

Picture Book

(2025, MacMillan UK, Animals, Bear, Gosling, Goose, Love, Seasons, Bond, Cave, Identity, Care, Family)

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Christmas is only 5 days away, and the boy wonders when the presents will arrive?

‘Not yet,’ says Māmā. ‘But why don’t you see

if there’s anything under the pōhutukawa tree?’

 

The boy doesn’t find any Christmas wrapped gifts outside, but he does find something to help him build a kingdom of sandcastles.

With only 4 days to Christmas, there are still no gifts under his tree at home. A suggestion from his dad to check the pōhutukawa tree, sends him running out across the sand.

He counts down the days. 3. 2. 1. checking the pōhutukawa tree every day. Suddenly, the day he’s been waiting for is finally here. But there are still no wrapped presents under his tree at home. These longed for gifts have now been overshadowed by wonderful daily gifts from the pōhutukawa tree.

Pāpā just smiles. ‘Well then, let’s go,

because under that tree we’ve got something to show.’

 

This time, something truly special awaits!

A new Aotearoa New Zealand Christmas picture book for 2024!

With the NZ Christmas setting of blue skies, a sandy beach and native birds singing in the trees, this perfectly captures a kiwi summer countdown to Christmas.

It seems the story is all about the presents – but as each day passes without gifts under the tree at home, a young boy realises the gifts he is receiving every day from the pōhutukawa tree not far from his home.

I loved watching the tree blossoms bloom more and more each day, as Māmā and Pāpā slowly decorate the tree inside. The simple rhyming text builds the anticipation all children feel as Christmas approaches, and adds even more to this delightful story.

te Reo Māori is woven throughout the story and a glossary of these words is provided at the end.

Author / Illustrator – Steven Kay

Picture Book

(2024, Bateman Books, NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Christmas Countdown, Kiwi Christmas, Beach, Tree, Nature’s Gifts, Presents, te reo, Family, Anticipation)

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A crab sits upon a sand throne inside, looking out across his beach domain. Another beach animal slides in low and quiet, but right behind them are bouncing sand hoppers and scuttling hermit crabs!

The sandcastle moat hides another visitor and the nearby rockpool is kicking off in a kiwi critter concert!

All too soon, the incoming tide creeps closer, stealing the sandcastle back into the sea. Tomorrow is another day for an even bigger sand sculpture.

The joy of this book begins as soon as you open the cover. Kiwi critters smile from the page alongside a kiwi kid enjoying the beach.

Bilingual (English / Māori), and in rhyme, There’s a Crab in my Castle is in full colour, as one creature is introduced after another into the story.

In the rear of the book are illustrations of each animal portrayed in the tale, with an interesting titbit of info about each one.

This is a great book to have on hand in every Kiwi beachside bach, to enjoy again and again every summer.

Author – Dawn McMillan

Illustrator – Nikki Slade Robinson

Picture Book

(2024, Oratia Books, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ, Nature, Beach, Rock pools, Sandcastle, Humour, Funny, Hermit Crabs, Animals, Crustaceans, Insects, Kina, Rock Lobster, Starfish, Limpets)

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Bidibidi – An adventurous sheep with sore feet decides to change things. Her name was Bidibidi and she was also a courageous sheep. She has a place in mind she would rather be, and sets off on her own. Many creatures give advice along the way, until she finally finds the place she’s been looking for.

Mr Fox – A wily fox begins with a bumblebee in his bag, and through his travels, fills it with even bigger and tastier morsels. But when a boy goes into his sack it is his undoing…

Chicken Licken – Another fox is also a villain in a retelling of Chicken Licken!

A Apple Pie – Everyone wants a piece of apple pie, but only one gets to eat it.

The Three Little Pigs – The Fox’s cousin the wolf, isn’t quite as clever in the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs.

Little Rabbit and the Sea – A young rabbit longs to sail his toy sailboat upon the sea. But he lives far from any ocean and only has the descriptions his family give him. But one day, a kind seagull brings the sea to the rabbit to experience for himself.

Stay Awake, Bear! – Two bears decide that hibernation is a terrible waste of time. Why not watch TV and play games and plan a summer holiday. They finally set off for fun in the sun, which doesn’t quite go to plan.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff – just want the green, juicy grass on the other side of the bridge. The troll beneath the bridge has other ideas.

Rats! – Mrs Polly Piper has a problem. Rats in the bath. Rats in the cupboards. Rats on the walls and Rats in her breakfast! Mrs Polly Piper is terribly tired of her Rats. Or is she…?

Ten glorious tales of both classics and originals by NZ’s own multi-award winning author/illustrator, ONZM, Gavin Bishop.

The Gavin Bishop Treasury is in a beautiful hardback production, rich with Gavin Bishop’s signature full colour illustrations and characters. There is laughter, courage and whimsy among the pages, along with curiosity, cunning and even apple pie!

Beginning with Gavin Bishop’s first ever book published in 1981 through to the multi award winning Rats in 2007.

The perfect gift for lovers of classic children’s stories from a master storyteller and illustrator.

Author / Illustrator – Gavin Bishop

Picture Book Collection

Find more Gavin Bishop titles here

(2024, Penguin NZ, Collection, Classics, Animals, Sheep, Rat, Fox, Dog, Goats, Pigs, Wolf, Chicken, Rabbit, Curiosity, Courage, Humour, Villains, NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Fairy tales)

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Miro is covered in feathers of different lengths and muted shades of brown and red, from her small face, across her body and down to her knees. Her scaly feet look a little like dinosaur feet, armed with long claws for digging or fighting off predators.

Just like a cat, Miro has whiskers on her face. These help her navigate on the forest floor in the dark when she hunts for food. As other birds are settling on a branch for the night, Miro is waking up and getting ready to leave her nest. She has laid an egg, many times bigger than a chicken’s, and her mate named Maru will carry on keeping their egg warm.

Miro sets off to hunt. She loves worms, spiders, bugs and snails and sometimes must dig for them in the damp, forest soil with her long beak. All the while she must stay wary for attacks from stoats, ferrets, rats and cats. These are the predators that kill most kiwi, especially kiwi chicks. After a night of feeding, Miro returns to the nest.

Soon their egg begins to wobble. The chick breaks its way out of the egg, and knows already how to hunt for worms and bugs, without any lessons from its parents. He is a tiny version of them with the same shades of feathers and small scaly feet.

Perfect for classrooms, visitors to Aotearoa New Zealand, and nature lovers alike.

Miro The Little Brown Kiwi is part photo journal, part story – of a North Island Brown Kiwi’s normal night time routine. The superb close up photos give readers a window into Miro the kiwi’s world, down at forest floor level. From asleep, to hunting and digging for a stubborn worm, we see a snapshot of her life, her nest and her new chick hatching.

I loved the way the story swung round full circle in its description of Miro’s chick, and then you turn the page to find added pages of Kiwi facts. There is info on how to help keep them safe, where you can see them indoors and if you are really lucky, outdoors in special reserves and habitats.

A helpful glossary completes this photographic picture book perfectly.

Author / Photography – Kelly Lynch

Picture Book

(2024, Bateman Books, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Native Birds, North Island Brown Kiwi, Chick, Habitat, Forest, Life of a Kiwi, Kiwi Facts, Predators, Real Life)

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At first Pig is quite content curled up in her pen, but when she wakes there is even more rain, and the wind is blowing things over.

Her farmer comes to get her and put her inside the shed which is higher than her pen. Unfortunately it isn’t high enough! Pig decides to find a better place to wait out the storm. She swims through swirling, muddy, water, inside then outside, then inside again. She finally finds a soggy place above the water and gets a well earned rest.

Pig doesn’t know how far she has swum, but when a smiling man finds her inside a bedroom after the storm, he is very surprised indeed.

Based on a real pig that earned the name Lucky after its brave survival swimming feat during Cyclone Gabrielle in NZ 2023.

Lucky now lives with the author and her family after they found her in their flooded home. After losing so much, this small brave pig brought smiles to all, and a wonderful story to tell. Cyclone Gabrielle was one of New Zealand’s worst weather events, causing a National State of Emergency – only the 3rd ever in NZ history.

The author’s family were among many to lose everything to the flooding and she struggled to find any stories that might help her children. She is hoping that The Lucky Little Pig may do that for others if needed in the future.

Positivity is woven into Pig’s story as she talks herself through her mission to find a safe place, and then thinks of the positives before she is found. She too knows she is lucky and suits her new name.

The story of Lucky the Little Pig softens a traumatic situation for both animals and people, whilst Deborah Hinde’s gorgeous illustrations portray the event in an authentic manner.

There is a page in the rear of the book dedicated to coping mechanisms after trauma, and caring for yourself and loved ones. These can be in simple every day ways or through the professional services listed.

Author – Stacey Smith

Illustrator – Deborah Hinde

Picture Book

(2024, Aotearoa New Zealand, National State of Emergency, Storm, Cyclone, Flooding, Disaster, Animals, Pig, Positivity, Resilience, Gratitude, Surprise, Dealing with Trauma, Determination, Action, Courage, Real Life)

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Nanny Mihi’s mokopuna (grandchildren) stay with her every school holidays. She lives near the sea and has a large vegetable garden and chickens.

Nanny Mihi makes the most of Nature’s four seasons, and with the help of her grandchildren can grow a feast to last all year.

In Spring there is planting to do, and together they sort the seeds and plant them in freshly dug soil.

In Summer there are critters to find to feed to the chickens, vegetables to pick, and bottling to do with the extras.

Autumn brings storing food, and saving seeds.

Winter is quiet in the garden as it sleeps, but Spring, Summer & Autumn have filled Nanny Mihi’s pantry until it’s time to plant again.

Nanny Mihi is back with more knowledge gained from working with Nature.

Nanny Mihi’s Harvest shows her grandchildren helping her in her vegetable garden every school holidays. With the story split into the four seasons of the year, young readers learn what jobs to do when in the garden to produce food.

A humourous story thread runs through the story about her chickens and making sure to shut the garden gate! Nanny Mihi’s chickens might be rascals when given the opportunity, but they are also part of the seasonal work – eating bugs found on the vegies, cleaning up the pulled weeds and eating old plants. Which of course result in their own contribution – eggs!

Not only is this wise advice to young readers, Nanny Mihi’s Harvest is Bilingual with (English/Māori) alongside each other. There are also quick translations scattered through the pages to help build readers te reo Māori.

Another Nanny Mihi gem!

Author – Melanie Drewery

Illustrator – Suzanne Simpson

Picture Book

See another Nanny Mihi story review here

(2024, Oratia Books, Family, Aotearoa New Zealand, Series, Siblings, Mokopuna, Gardening, Growing, Vegetables, Seasons, Chickens, School Holidays, Bilingual, Year Round Food, Harvest, Shut the gate)

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As the day wanes, she sits with them as the sun sets.

“Smile to your ancestor, The Great Sun, who’s smiling back at you.”

Each part of the natural world has a guiding principle that the teacher shares with her students.

 

“Let’s all be kind-hearted, girls and boys, neither greedy, nor selfish.

Follow the generosity of your ancestor, The Bountiful Earth Mother.”

The Great Ocean shows them peace and rumbling calm from the waves, and The Mighty Blustering Wind can whisk away any grudges or troubles.

There are many more parts of Nature that can heal, provide peace and harmony, and years pass as this teacher advises class after class of students. As the years go by, the teacher’s hair turns grey, and she retires, eventually being cared for in a rest home with whanau by her side.

Her wisdom passed down throughout her life is now given back to reassure, entertain and finally let her go to their waiting ancestors. Another generation is ready to pass on to others what they have learnt about listening to their ancestors, never far away.

Now out in paperback, this award winning picture book portrays a teacher and grandmother sharing the values and principles of Māori gods and ancestors.

The illustration settings take the reader from field to forest, beach to classroom and beyond. Each page and setting is enjoyed along with life advice and values to guide readers, taken from examples set by Māori ancestors within the natural world.

Whakarongo ki ō Tūpuna – Listen to your Ancestors is a serene, thoughtful read and love shines off the pages from the teacher to her pupils, and from granddaughter to treasured grandmother.

The culmination of a tangi in the story is full of respect, love and tranquility, and the opportunity to follow in a loved ones’ footsteps of sharing ancestor’s teachings to a new generation.

Ngā Atua / The Gods are shared with the reader in more detail on the inside back cover of the book. First in te reo, then in English, we can all learn more about many Māori Gods.

Whakarongo ki ō Tūpuna – Listen to your Ancestors’ author Darren Joseph was a senior lecturer in Māori language at Massey University for over 20 years, and is the author or translator of dozens of Māori immersion educational titles.

Author – Darryn Joseph

Illustrator – Munro Te Whata

Picture Book

(2024, Oratia Books, Aoteroa New Zealand, Bilingual, Te reo – English, Family, Grief, Teaching, Natural World, Ancestors, Guidance, Life advice, Principles, Values, Traditions, Whanau, Family, Award winning, Māori Gods, Atua, Ancestors, Generations, Care, Love, Sharing)

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There are lots Santa pictures around at this time of year, but he is always surrounded by snow. But in New Zealand and Australia, Christmas is in the summertime with clear blue skies, beach picnics and lots of swimming. Does Santa know this?

There is one child who is increasingly worried. Santa’s thick red suit with fluffy white trim is going to be far too hot in the sunshine. He’ll definitely need sun-block and a wet suit could come in handy too.

Should they write a letter to the North Pole to tell Santa what he will need for a summertime Christmas, and even more importantly, will it reach him in time?

Phew! Santa is prepared for his travels down under and makes the most of the sun, sand and summer Christmas. It may even be his best Christmas day eyer!

A fun, rhyming picture book sharing the joy of Christmas in the summer months. Down under, (New Zealand & Australia) sand, swimming and sun replaces the snow, fireplaces and hot chocolate seen in so many pictures of the jolly red man.

A fantastic Christmas read for kiwi and aussie kids or their family members in the Northern hemisphere.

The final page of the story has a QR code to take readers to the text in a song format.

A website is also provided in case you don’t have a QR reader app.

Author – Anna Coddington

Illustrator – Story Hemi-Morehouse

Picture Book

(Also available in te reo – He Kirihimete Kahurangi)

(2023, Penguin NZ, New Zealand, Australia, Downunder, Summer, Christmas, Letter, Xmas time, Beach, Swimming, Sand, Picnics, Humour)

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Sun had wondered about Rain, but only knew that Rain was quick to disappear whenever she got close.

Sun and Rain don’t realise they have mutual friends that like to spend time with both of them. These friends are Clouds who appear when Sun or Rain are in the sky.

One day they ask Rain about Sun and whether they have ever met?

“Sun? I’m not sure she wants to know me. Whenever I turn up, she vanishes.”

When Clouds ask Sun about this,

Sun shook her fiery mane. “Oh no,” she said. “If I am here, she won’t come near.”

 

Clouds are left feeling sad they can’t bring their good friends Sun and Rain together. At least until they get a great idea.

Telling both Sun and Rain to meet them at the same time in a special place, these two powers of the sky finally meet – And the unexpected result is spectacular!

Such a simple story concept that culminates in one of Nature’s wonders that capture people’s attention and joy around the world – a fully developed rainbow.

A Sun Shower always seems strange to young children. How can it be raining and sunny at the same time? This awe is universal, but so is friendship – the other important theme in this picture book. Sometimes misunderstandings or apprehension between children at making new friends is a hard gap to bridge. But often, just like Sun and Rain, with their friends Clouds to help – something truly special can happen between them.

Sun Shower will be a treat to read to small children, and also kick off conversations about Weather, Seasons and Nature at kindergarten or in junior classes at school. Even if not reading the text, the illustrations are full of movement and stories of their own to pore over. I smiled as I discovered a Taniwha and when I recognised some of the buildings or places in Aotearoa.

A beautiful picture book by a New Zealand Author and Illustrator – both Multi Award Winners. A team made in the heavens.

Also in te reo – He Taru Kahika (Maori Edition)

Author – Melinda Syzmanik

Illustrator – Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Picture Book

(2023, Scholastic, Clouds, Sun, Rain, Weather, Sky, Friendship, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Worry, Fears, Worries, Apprehension)

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Beginning with a pilot whale’s point of view and eye level as they frolic happily through the ocean, the illustrations move out allowing the reader to see what is really happening. The water level has drastically dropped in a sandy bay and an outgoing tide. The illustrator’s ‘lens’ widens further to see more of the pod becoming stranded and then help in the way of people on their way.

Each page has a text box containing an interesting fact about pilot whales, adding to the story of the pilot whales plight and giving the reader important information that will be useful if they ever come across a stranded marine mammal on a beach.

Reading Stranded from the point of view of a young pilot whale pulls the reader into their confusing and frightening experience of being away from the water where they belong. The story also gently deals with the loss of some of the whales on the sand.

Dedicated to the driving force of Project Jonah NZ, Daren Grover and Louisa Hawkes, Stranded is not only beautifully illustrated by talented illustrator Isobel Te Aho-White, it is an important picture book for all young New Zealanders.

Based around an event author Linda Jane Keegan personally experienced as a Project Jonah Marine Mammal Medic Volunteer, her depiction of a young pilot whale’s stranding and then reintroduction to the ocean by determined people is emotional and beautiful.

Perfect timing for New Zealand’s approaching Summer and more possible strandings.

For more information on becoming a Volunteer Marine Mammal Medic or what to do if you discover a stranded whale or dolphin, visit Project Jonah online here. 

Author – Linda Jane Keegan

Illustrator – Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Picture Book

Find a copy here

(2023, Bateman Books, Whales, Dolphins, Pilot Whales, Strandings, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Animals, Ocean, Sea, beach, Golden Bay, Based on real events, Project Jonah, Department of Conservation, Whale pod, Long-finned Pilot Whales, Karakia, Local iwi)

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It’s not the only thing she spots. A sea creature is struggling but is pleased to see her.

“Celia Seagull, I’m glad you’re about,

There’s a straw in my jaw and I can’t get it out.”

Does Celia go to his aid? No, she pretends to be far too busy to help, and escapes back to her nest as fast as she can fly.

Again and again, Celia flies down to scope the water for more plastic to weave into her nest. Alas, again and again she ignores more creature’s pleas for help in escaping the plastic scrap that has imprisoned them.

Finally pleased with her humongous nest, she settles down into it for the night without a thought for the day behind her. Until she too needs help. Will no-one come to her aid?

A most unexpected being from the deep appears at Celia’s side to help. Experiencing the same fear and fright that she’d repeatedly ignored during the day allows Celia to see the plastic problem from her fellow sea creature’s point of view.

Endorsed by world reknown Conservationist Jane Goodall, Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea is a well rhymed story showing the harm of plastic in the world’s oceans. It also shows a seagull who believes she is much more important than any others she meets, with her own desires (agenda) put first.

In real terms, both of these world-wide issues need to be solved to enable solutions to this ever growing problem and other environmental disasters to be addressed.

Although a serious and sobering topic, I fell in love with the illustrations, particularly the animal life and the expressions on Celia’s face. Finding the story culminate there was a wonderful surprise. Can we all change our ways like Celia has, and make a difference to others and our planet in need?

The repetition in the rhythm of the rhyme will also allow younger children to enjoy this animal, empathy, and environmental tale, and the touch of fantasy will thrill too. The rear of the book has information on The Bobby Stafford-Bush Foundation, Plastic Free July and the Roots and Shoots Organisation, all aiming to care for our environment.

A personal favourite in the plethora of environmental books for children.

Author – Nicole Miller

Illustrator – Lily Uivel

Picture Book

Find a copy here

(2021, Little Love, Mary Egan Publishing, NZ, New Zealand Author, Birds, Animals, Plastic in our oceans, Seabird, Selfish, Empathy, Environment, Fantasy element, Throwaway plastic, single use plastic, Recycle, Rubbish Disposal, Friend in need, Help, Scrap, Self Importance, Sharing)

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Deep in an old log he knows that all his eating will make something happen. He can feel he going to change.

But what will he change into from his white fat grub body?

As his friends go by on their daily business, he asks them their advice.

Ladybird, Butterfly, Stick Insect and Cicada all tell Grub where they came from and what they used to be. They don’t know what he might become.

Still Grub wonders. Will he hover or fly, sing or stretch long legs into a run? Soon he knows it’s time to stop wondering and build himself a shell. What will he be when he wakes up?

GRUB will take you down to the forest floor where a hive of activity is present. Grub is busy munching and other insects are going about their day. He asks them questions as they travel by, hoping they know what he might become. He marvels at beautiful wings, long legs and the song of another insect, but is unsure at his own future.

Each insect explains what they were, either caterpillar, larva, or nymph, before they became their final form. This a great way for young entomologists to make their first steps in the fascinating study of insects.

The illustrations alternate between Grub asking his questions from his log and the plant life around it, to the next page being a clear depiction of how the visiting insect once was.

When Grub finally does make his own cocoon I too wondered what he might become. The result is a spectacular surprise, with the final page providing Five Fabulous Facts about this creature.

My favourite part of this story is the hardcover format’s endpapers. You open the book to find caterpillars, larva and nymphs, and it ends with beetles, cicadas, butterflies and ladybirds.

A wonderful surprise of a book!

Author / Illustrator – Sandra Severgnini

Picture Book

(2022, Exisle Publishing, Insects, Caterpillars, Butterflies, Stick Insects, Dragonfly, Cicada, Hercules Beetle, Cocoons, Metamorphosis, Entomology, Chrysalis)

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Out of the forest, a call for a hero is heard, and kiwi is ready. But his legs are too short.

He carries on, hoping he will get another chance.

Again, a hero is needed and kiwi rushes to help. But his wings are too small.

Each time someone needs help in the forest, and for all his best intentions and wishes to help, he is not quite up to it. He is there, but how can he possibly put out a fire?

Feeling hopeless and sure he’ll never achieve his dream, he hears a little voice in the darkness. What if they worked together?

The next time someone shouts for a hero – Batkiwi is there with strong steady wings and a long, strong and sharp beak, and a double heart of gold. Batkiwi has saved the day!

Sometimes it’s a good idea to ask for or offer help to achieve your dreams. Often working together makes it twice as fun and rewarding.

Melinda Syzmanik is an Award winning New Zealand Children’s author and Batkiwi gives young kiwi kids their own superhero.

Author – Melinda Syzmanik

Illustrator – Isobel Joy Te Aho White

Picture Book

See Batkiwi’s next adventure! (Click on the Cover)

(2021, Scholastic NZ, New Zealand, Nature, Native Animals, Native Birds, Rescue, Heroes, Superheroes, Brave, Courage, Kindness, Teamwork, Dream, Achievement, Ask for help, Confidence, Cooperation, Self Esteem)

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Takaehe Maths is the story of the Takahe over hundreds of years.

There once were thousands of this beautiful bird with its vibrant blue and green plumage and bright red beak. Then the first humans came…

The Takahe had never had to run and hide and couldn’t fly from the fearsome clubs and spears. Takahe numbers dropped rapidly.

More settlers came with sheep and rats and stoats. Subtract more Takahe.

Takahe had now learnt to hide away from the humans that hunted them. Add more Takahe?

More threats came, both animal and Nature herself subtracting more Takahe. Over a hundred years have passed since the first settlers came – are there any Takahe left?

Yes! There are a few left. We must save the Takahe!

A mix of history and maths lesson, this picture book also reads like a roller coaster of a ride as Takahe numbers rise and fall – even when humans realise they must save this beautiful New Zealand Native bird.

I was caught up in the fate of the Takahe. Will it survive? How many are left now? 

With up to date (2021) numbers of these Takahe and more information on the inside back cover of this picture book, more can be learnt about saving the Takahe. Internet links are provided for more in depth information.

Possible resource for a Read aloud project in the classroom with Maths, Conservation, Native Birds and NZ History.

Author – Julie Ellis

Illustrator – Isobel Te Aho-White

Picture Book (all ages)

Hear a Takahe call and learn more about the Takahe here

Find Teacher’s Notes and Activities here

(2021, Onetree House, New Zealand, NZ, NZ Flora and Fauna, Native Birds, NZ History, Dr Geoffrey Orbell, Department of Conservation, DOC, Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, Mathematics, Subtraction, Addition, Historical)

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We can stretch up to the sun, bend in the wind and curl our toes into the ground beneath us.

Our skin protects us, keeping our insides strong and healthy and allowing nutrients and our blood to flow around our bodies.

We share things among our families and communities and look out for each other when danger is nearby. Our homes are shelter for other creatures, pets and birds, and we struggle when we’re alone or away from our homes.

Be a tree!

Did you know that trees also clean our air, hold our precious soils in place and look after one another when they are sick?

We are more like trees than we realise, and this beautiful book is so much more than a picture book.

As soon as you open the cover, there are sketches of leaves and labels. Turn the page and a young child is planting a seed even before the story has begun. A sapling grows straight and strong.

The story will take you on a journey deep below the earth to see a tree’s roots, then up and inside the tree to its pith and its lifeblood. The heartwood is like your bones strong and sure, and the tree accepts all kinds of creatures to live in its branches and leaves.

I love the surprise fold out section and the message it portrays. People struggle when alone and away from home and so do trees. It is best to plant native trees to an area, to ensure they are happy and healthy in their natural environment.

At the rear of the book are ways to help trees, a cross section anatomy of a tree – inside and out, and a list of books and websites if you want to know more.

Author – Maria Gianferrari

Illustrator – Felicita Sala

Sophisticated Picture Book

Age – 5+

Read a review on another beautiful book about Trees (Click on the covers)

(2021, Abrams, Nature, Environment, Forest, Community, Natives, Soil erosion, Clean air)

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Dark clouds roll in, stripping her beloved pear tree of its leaves, its joy and its warmth.

Anna too is lying low under blankets, and feeling the fog that surrounds her tree within herself. Like her tree’s leaves, she has lost her hair.

Both are quiet, still and sad.

Before too long the sun is back, bringing blossom, bees and their buzzing, waking up the tree and Anna’s smile.

As the tree returns to its former glory, first with bright green leaves then fruit to pick and eat, Anna too begins to heal. Crunchy and sweet, first fruit cheers Anna and gives her a seed to plant and tend.

As the seedling grows, so does Anna’s hair – both with tiny sprouts at first. Day after day, both Anna and the new sapling find their strength, a smile, a pear and hope.

A beautifully illustrated story showing a young girl’s journey through cancer. Instead of treatments and hospitals, her journey is shown through the loss of energy, dark clouds and fog surrounding her and then her slow recovery back to a hopeful future.

Alongside is her beloved pear tree, losing its leaves, standing alone in the fog, then slowly coming back to life with blossom, the buzz of bees and new growth.

Together Anna and a seed from the tree begin to grow shoots / hair, then leaves / curls, growing stronger together.

From the beginning to the end pages, a fragile but colourful creature follows the story. Can you find it?

Author – Wendy Shurety

Illustrator – Deb Hudson

Picture Book

See Teacher’s Notes here

Find more excellent books on Children’s Challenges here

(2021, EK Books, Exisle Publishing, Cancer, Pear Tree, Health, Sickness, Rest, Recovery, Autumn, Winter, Sapling, New Growth, Hope, Future, Losing hair, No hair, Children’s Challenges)

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She ran to kindergarten.

She ran to school.

Tomorrow didn’t want to miss a single moment.

One day she ran past a girl sitting alone. Her name was Yesterday. Tomorrow urged Yesterday to hurry, and come climb a tree. Yesterday shook her head, telling Tomorrow how the last time she tried she fell.

Rushing around another day, Tomorrow runs into a boy. His name is Today. He shows her amazing things around them, but Tomorrow was already going somewhere else. He tries again and again, until one day Tomorrow slows just a little to climb a tree.

A whole new world stretches out before her…

A clever story showing three different children and the way they see the world around them.

Tomorrow hardly sees a thing, rushing here and there. Yesterday is stuck in the anxiety of past mishaps and things gone wrong, too scared to move beyond them. Today will sit and watch tadpoles, lie in the grass to watch clouds or sit in a tree – quiet, still, seeing and appreciating the day he is in.

Mindfulness is a skill to be learnt and cherished so we don’t miss the important things in life. Nature, a smile or a new friendship. Loved it.

Author – Vikki Conley

Illustrator – Penelope Pratley

Picture Book

See Teacher’s Notes here

Find more excellent picture books on Children’s Challenges here

(2021, EK Books, Exisle Publishing, Busy, Rushing, Running, Mindfulness, Appreciation, Leisurely, Enjoying nature, Children’s Challenges)

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Beginning with Mindfulness and what it offers us, to Listening, Feeling, Relaxing, Tasting and so on, each page has a soothing rhyme and a possible activity or idea to think more about.

The simple joys of Nature, using our senses, being with others and savouring the world as we slow down, nourishes us as humans. Even breathing can be mindful, helping us find the happiness that is right there for us all.

Even after reading this at my desk at night, enjoying the rhythm and artwork, I felt calmer, and more aware of my surroundings. Great for teaching mindfulness, a calming bedtime story or even in a classroom when needing some quiet time restored.

Simply gorgeous.

Author – Nicola Edwards

Illustrator – Kate Hickey

Picture Book

(2019, Little Tiger Press, Mindfulness, Senses, Sight, Touch, Hearing, Smell, Taste, Slow, Calm, Nature, Love, Hugs, Appreciation, Happy, Happiness, Peaceful)

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A small boy called Isaac is playing in water, marveling at its wonder as many small children do. Raindrops suddenly sprinkle across the pool in front of him, and with delight he pours his own jar of water to join the raindrops. Where will his water go? Following a stream then a river by boat, Issac reaches the ocean, and knows his water is now on a journey of its own.

His water is swallowed by whales, frozen into icebergs and thrown on beaches in giant waves. The water travels through warmer climates on its journey, far from the small boy. The water forms mist and rain and we finds ourselves back with Isaac at his pool, with a sprinkling of raindrops on the pool….

The water cycle like you’ve never seen before. There is no other word for these illustrations except STUNNING!

Winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Award 2011, the rich hues of nature come to life on every page.

Author/Illustrator – Grahame Baker-Smith

Picture Book

(2018, Bonnier, Nature, Water cycle, Wonder, River, Ocean, Journey, Adventure)

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