Neighbour's Cat.
Written by Michael Rosen.
Illustrated by Alex Willmore.
Walker Books, 2026.
Picture book.
Our neighbour has a cat. We call him Neighbour's Cat. But
sometimes he comes to our house, and he acts like he lives here too!
Michael Rosen is a treasure. Over the years I’ve been
blogging about World Kid Lit Month, I’ve ignored English books – as they’re so
ubiquitous. But, they’re not really. I recently discovered librarians from
Canada and USA hadn’t heard of Michael Rosen.
The boy from Clearwater. Book 1.
Written by Yu Pei-Yun.
Illustrated by Zhou Jian-Xin.
Translated from Chinese by Lin King.
Levine Querido, 2023.
A true story in graphic novel form, that lays bare the
tortured and triumphant history of Taiwan, an island claimed and fought over by
many countries, through the life story of a man who lived through its most
turbulent times. Tsai Kun-lin, an ordinary boy was born in Qingshui, Taichung
in 1930s Taiwan. Part 1 depicts a carefree childhood despite the Japanese occupation:
growing up happily with the company of nursery rhymes and picture books on
Qingshui Street. As war emerges Tsai's memories shift to military parades, air
raids, and watching others face conscription into the army. It seems no one can
escape. After the war, the book-loving teenager tries hard to learn Mandarin
and believes he is finally stepping towards a comfortable future, but little
does he know, a dark cloud awaits him ahead.
A mammoth book, with text colours used to show what the
original languages were. The use of darkness to signify the differences in the character’s
situation is subtle but clear.
A glimpse into a little-known (especially to the West)
episode in history.
The shark prince.
Written by Malia Maunakea.
Penguin Workshop, 2026.
A middle-grade fantasy novel about Nohea, a Hawaiian boy
who belongs to a family whose male members inherit the ability to transform
into sharks. After his father's disappearance, Nohea lives with his mother and
grandmother while trying to manage the family curse. Hoping to win prize money
in a surfing competition to help his family remain in Hawaii, he enrols in
school for the first time, where he forms friendships and faces personal
challenges. As classmates begin to disappear, Nohea investigates whether the
events are connected to his family's supernatural inheritance.
Mystery, family drama, making friends – and a world deeply
embedded in ‘Ōiwi culture.
As someone with Pākehā (settler colonist) heritage – I could
see the strong resonances with te ao Māori (the Māori world).
Read along side T. K. Roxborogh's Charlie Tangaroa books.
The author, Malia Maunakea, is Kanaka ‘Ōiwi (Native Hawai’ian).
Charlie Tangaroa and the god of war.
Written by T.K. Roxborogh.
Illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers.
Huia Publishers, 2024.
Like every year, the summer brings new people to Tolaga
Bay. It's been a full year since Charlie saved his hometown from destruction at
the hands of gods, warring sea creatures and natural disasters. Charlie and his
younger brother, Robbie, are enjoying their normal lives - fishing off the
wharf and helping out at their mum's store - that is, until a visiting
scientist is stabbed at the local campground, days before a meeting between
local iwi and the government. So begins Charlie's quest to uncover a mystery
taking place in the hills above the town.
A middle book in a series can be ho-hum. Thankfully, this is
not the case here.
The author, Tania Roxborogh, is of Ngāti Porou, Ngāti
Mutunga o Wharekauri, Scottish, German, and Irish descent.
This is our place.
Written by Vitor Martins.
Translated from Brazilian Portuguese by Larissa Helena.
Push, 2022.
The house at Number 8 Sunflower Street tells the stories
of three teenagers who have lived within its walls in the 21st century: Ana, a
lesbian forced to leave her home, Greg sent to live with his aunt when his
parents divorce, and Beto, a would-be photographer living during the COVID
pandemic.
The blurb makes it sound like Ana is kicked out – when the
fact is that her father accepts her, and they move out to a different city.
The timelines and characters meet and entwine throughout the
book.
