October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 13.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens for ages 8-12 years. 

Note: this is a re-post. 

 

My first ikura.

Written by Qiane Matata-Sipu.  

Illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White.

Taku ikura tuatahi

Nā Qiane Matata-Sipu. 

Nā Stacey Morrison i whakamaori. 

Nā Isobel Joy Te Aho-White i waituhi. 

QIANE+co, 2025.  

Sophisticated picture book.

A gentle and powerful story that reclaims the sacredness of a girl’s first ikura (period) through a Māori lens — celebrating connection, ceremony and whakapapa. Rooted in te ao Māori, My First Ikura and the reo Māori translation Taku Ikura Tuatahi is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that follows a young girl’s first period, guided by the support of her whānau. More than a story of physical change, it celebrates womanhood as a sacred rite of passage. First of its kind in Aotearoa, it addresses first menstruation through a Māori cultural framework. Culturally affirming, it emphasises ceremony, family support and ancestral wisdom — it also includes a specially written karakia for families to learn together. Beautifully produced, with premium finishes and lush, full-colour illustrations using traditional earth pigments (kōkōwai). Created by recognised Māori creatives: Builds trust and demand from readers seeking authentic Indigenous voices. Education-friendly: Supports conversations in kura, classrooms and at home about periods, wellbeing and identity.

What an absolutely stunning book. Such positivity and support. 

Dragging out the knowledge I half-remember from the introductory anthropology paper I took (in *mumble* 1990!) - and the essay I wrote about menstruation customs - this approach is very rare. 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 12.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that is a new book by someone who recently won an award (within the last year or two). 

Cass and the beast.

Written by Claire Mabey.

Illustrated by Jill Calder.

Gecko Press, 2026.

When a fearful beast arrives in the township, Cass finds her courage and is rewarded with a wild and magical journey. A mysterious creature takes Cass, a young girl, on a thundering ride through a forested landscape, leaving her town and people far behind. In the wilderness that is home to the beast, Cass finds adventure, ferocity, and gentleness. And the beast finds its name. Atmospheric illustrations complement an original narrative voice in this collaboration between an author and illustrator from opposite sides of the world.

Cass’s novel, The raven’s eve runaways won Best First Book in the 2025 NZ Book Awards for Children & Young Adults.

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 11.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that features mountain / bush. 

 

Te ngahere i te po = The forest at night.

Te ngahere i te rā = The forest by day.

Written by Kiri Lightfoot.

Illustrated by Pippa Keel Situ.

Allen & Unwin, 2025 and 2026.

As the sun sets, which creatures come to life as others drift to sleep? What goes on in the forest under cover of darkness? This stunning picture book explores the hidden world of nocturnal creatures in Aotearoa New Zealand's bush. A perfect bedtime lullaby for Tamariki.

As the sun rises, which creatures come to life and greet the day? What goes on in the forest during the day? This stunning picture book explores the busy world of the daytime creatures in Aotearoa New Zealand's bush. Includes many greeting phrases in te reo.

Bilingual, and with te reo Māori throughout the English text.

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 10.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that is creative / narrative non-fiction

 

Queen of the Cosmos: Beatrice Hill Tinsley.

Written by Maria Gill.

Illustrated by Alistair Hughes.

Upstart Press Ltd, 2024.

Beatrice Hill Tinsley lived every day as if she was on borrowed time. Over her short time on Earth, she was determined to further the world's knowledge of the stars and galaxies. But it was not easy being a female scientist in those times. She would have to make a heartbreaking decision in order to follow her destiny. Find out about this extraordinary woman, who became one of New Zealand's greatest scientists.

I appreciate that aspects of Beatrice’s life aren’t glossed over – nor gone into in depth – but are included, even for a child audience.

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 9.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that deserves more attention

Digging up the past: archaeology for the young and curious.

Written by David Veart.

Auckland University Press, 2011.

What do moa eggs, seeds chewed by rats & 600-year-old footprints have in common? Lost planes, dog turds and frozen sleeping bags? Archaeologists deal with artefacts like these every day in Aotearoa New Zealand to make sense of the world of our ancestors, our tūpūna. In this book David Veart walks alongside the archaeologists as they dig up the past on top of volcanoes and beneath our city streets, in Māori pā and explorers' huts. He offers us the things they find - obsidian blades, enamel cups, the carved prow of a waka - and the remarkable stories they have uncovered of Polynesian sailors and Pākehā sealers, Māori gardeners and Chinese storekeepers.

David Veart worked as a DOC historian and archaeologist for years. This is a brilliant book, and should be more known. I’d love if it was updated and reprinted!