October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 16.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that has te reo Māori integrated effectively into a largely English text

 

Pō mārie, my moko.

Written by Casey Kaa.

Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Scholastic New Zealand, 2026.

Picture book.

Pō Mārie, My Moko is a gentle bedtime journey that carries a kuia and her mokopuna through the natural world, guided by atua, ancestors and the rhythms of te ao Māori. From the maunga and ngahere to the awa and moana, the story weaves calm breathing and reassurance into a soothing night-time ritual. It closes with a loving reminder that every child is a precious taonga. Celebrates whakapapa, kaitiakitanga and connection to the natural world, making it ideal for shared reading at the end of the day.

A lovely, gentle story. I like that the grandmother isn’t depicted as grey-haired, wrinkled and ancient. 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 15.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that is written / illustrated by a migrant to New Zealand. 

Note: this is a re-post. 

The line.

Written by Swapna Haddow. Illustrated by Farah Shah.

Scholastic, 2026. Picture book.

A powerful story about Partition, with a hopeful message at its heart. "I would draw lines that would lasso us to our neighbours and keep us close for all time. I would draw lines that made us feel safe together." When a line divides the country of India, a little girl and her family are forced to leave their home. On her journey, the girl thinks about what she would do differently if she was in charge of a line with so much power. She would draw lines that brought people together, despite their differences. Her lines would make people friends. Her lines would make the world a better place. Bringing together award-winning Indian author, Swapna Haddow, with British-Pakistani illustrator, Farah Shah, representing both sides of Partition The hopeful message of the story and warmth of the illustrations handle the subject matter with care, suitable for a young audience. Based around a historic event, but with important themes that are still very relevant today Includes a spread at the back of the book with facts about the Partition of India.

How we see lines – are they separators, or connectors. There are a number of recent books about The Partition – perhaps because it is coming up to the 80^th anniversary.

Written while Swapna was the University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer in Residence. 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 14.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that features different illustration media (ie not usual, eg collage / assemblage)

The bean's story.

Written by Tatiana Aslund.

Artwork by Vasanti Unka.

Scholastic, 2007.

The life cycle of a bean is presented using the traditional story structure of the The house that Jack built, with extended fold-out page at the back of the book which holds a surprise.

I wish this was still in print!

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.