October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 28.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that features an endemic species – animal, plant, etc. 

 

Old Blue: the rarest bird in the world.

Written and illustrated by Mary Taylor.

Scholastic, 1993.

The story of Old Blue, a black robin, who, aided by the New Zealand Wildlife Service, rescued her species from near extinction.

FINALLY, BIRD OF THE YEAR!

And, the lessons learnt with Old Blue help every day.

My other favourite bird is tara-iti – New Zealand’s current rarest bird. Currently nearly 50 birds over a year old in the wild.

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 27.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens by a Pasifika creator

 

Whose your name? / [authors Sean Amaama and 21 others] ; [edited by Tania Maka and Dahlia Malaeulu].

Mila's Books, 2024.

Every name has a story. The Whose Your Name? Book Project brings together pieces of writing from the Tamaiti o le Pasifika class, a Pasifika enrichment class at Wainuiomata Intermediate School. These young Pasifika writers explore the meanings of Pacific island names, the cultural history behind their own, and the experiences that have shaped their understanding of identity. 

Powerful kōrero, and it so hard to believe these are intermediate children. 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 26.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that has an illustration you would hang on your wall, as an artwork. 

Note: this is a re-post. 

Pukapuka.

Written and illustrated by Vasanti Unka.

Nā Justin Kereama ngā kōrero i whakamāori [Translated into te reo Māori by Justin Kereama.]

Beatnik Publishing in association with Ngā Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau [Auckland Council Libraries], 2025.

Picture book.

A family’s delightful journey across town and into a place which is fun, restful, informative, musical and absorbing in turn. A very special treat for library lovers, young and old alike, from one of Aotearoa’s best-loved author/illustrators. 

A glorious story and celebration of libraries and books.

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 25.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that won an international award, or featured on an international list eg Carnegie, White Ravens, USBBY list, IBBY awards / list.

  

 

The bomb. Te pohū

Written by Sacha Cotter.

Illustrated by Josh Morgan.

Huia, 2018. 

Published, and on the USBBY list, as Cannonball.

In this story about being true to oneself, a boy searches for the secret to doing the perfect bomb into the water. With training from Nan, an expert and former champion, and by listening to his own voice, he finds his unique style and pulls off a wonderful, acrobatic, truly awe-inspiring bomb.

A glorious book – and an amazing Nan!

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 24.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that taught you something new

Pocket observology: a field guide.

Written and illustrated by Giselle Clarkson.

Gecko Press, 2026.

Slip this practical field guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to things you encounter every day in nature. Pocket Observology is the perfect companion to Giselle Clarkson's nature books The Observologist and Omnibird.

A perfect size for taking on walks or exploring at home. Insects, fungi, rocks, birds. So much to observe and identify.  

Some great new words for me to enjoy! All that scientific Latin!