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!

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 23.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens by an author or illustrator you’ll always read

Brigitta’s bicycle.

Written by Heather Haylock.

Illustrated by Lily Uivel.

Penguin, 2027!

Picture book.

Inspired by the vital role bicycles played in the Dutch Resistance during World War II, Brigitta’s Bicycle follows Brigitta from the Netherlands through war and its aftermath, and across the world to a new life in New Zealand. Her cherished bicycle carries not only people and precious supplies, but memories of courage, loss and hope — memories that will one day be passed on to a new generation.

Gorgeously told by Heather Haylock and illustrated by Lily Uivel, this moving historical picture book for ages 5–10 offers a sensitive way into conversations about war, displacement, migration and starting over.

I’m cheating with this one – but it is by an author I’ll always read – and I’m hanging out to get my hands on it!

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 22.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens published this year

Once upon a harbour.

Written by Fiona Farrell.

Illustrated by David Elliot.

Allen & Unwin, 2026.

Think a blend of Shaun Tan and Dr Seuss. Set in a harbour that could be anywhere in the world, this tells the stories of fantastical characters like Mr and Mrs Drizzle who 'drench the world till it's puddle and slush'; pirate rats and seagulls fighting over a pie; sea monsters Craig and Shirley refloating shipwrecked boats; trees who party because they are 'bored when planted in rows'; a little house beside the sea that floats away; and Piggy Bill and his little piggies who are as happy and as grubby as can be'. There's pace and rhythm to the stories with a natural story arc of build-up, excitement, climax and resolution with a sweet 'go to sleep' ending. David's illustrations are stunning, strange and charming. Fiona's beautifully scanning, clever rhyming for children bounces along, is easy to read aloud and full of funny, inventive ideas and vocabulary.

A treasure which will appeal to many ages. There’s something nostalgic and whimsical about it.

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 21.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens for ages 15-18 years

What if you could.

Written by Jacinda Ardern.

Adapted for young adults by Ruby Shamir.

Penguin, 2026.

Based on A different kind of power by Jacinda Ardern.

From the former prime minister of New Zealand comes a guide for young readers on chasing your dreams and embracing the unexpected qualities that truly make a person strong. When Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand, she was one of the youngest people and, at the time, the youngest woman leading a country. Many people thought she would never succeed — herself included. Wouldn’t her insecurity, overthinking, worrying, and kindness stop her from being able to achieve her goals? As she soon learned, though, it was exactly those attributes — as well as caring and wanting to listen to and serve others — that made her into the empathetic, adaptable, and effective leader that she was. While sharing her own experiences and challenges as a young person, and then as prime minister, Jacinda Ardern asks readers to realise that true strength, success, and power come from embracing ourselves just as we are — imposter syndrome and all.

Important messages for us all. Imposter syndrome is a sneaky beast.

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 20.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that is historical – either fiction or non-fiction

 

Kupe and the great octopus of Muturangi.

Retold and illustrated by Mat Tait.

Allen & Unwin, 2026.

Kupe's voyage to Aotearoa! Kupe found that a huge, fearsome wheke (octopus) was taking all the fish in the ocean and the people of Hawaiki had nothing to eat. So Kupe chased that wheke across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean). Finally Hine-te-Aparangi, Kupe's wife, saw land and a long white cloud: Aotearoa! Find out what happened when the wheke and Kupe had a massive battle.

Whether you consider this retelling fiction or nonfiction depends on your world view and inculturation.

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 19.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that features river / ocean

 

Swim: the story of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai.

Retold by Chris Szekely.

Illustrated by Andrew Burdan.

Published simultaneously in Māori as: Tāhoe: he pakiwaitara mo Hinemoa rāua ko Tūtānekai.

Huia, 2013.

This Te Arawa Māori traditional story tells of two lovers forbidden to meet who find a way to be together. In the legend, Hinemoa lives by Lake Rotorua and Tūtānekai on the island, Mokoia. Hinemoa falls in love when Tūtānekai plays the flute, but Hinemoa's father considers him unsuitable. They vow to be together, and every night on the island, Tūtānekai plays his flute to guide Hinemoa to him. With no canoe, Hinemoa must swim the lake with mystical creatures in it to be with Tūtānekai.

Just a glorious book. Luscious illustrations.

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 18.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens for infants or younger children written in te reo Māori

 

Toitū.

Written by Pania Tahau-Hodges.

Nā Josie Selkirk ngā pikitia.

Huia, 2026.

Also published as:

 Hīkoi: a Māori alphabet book for little (and not-so-little) activists.

E haere ana a Moko rāua tahi ko Koro ki te hīkoi ki Paremata. Koa katoa a Moko i te mea koinei tana hīkoi tuatahi. Engari anō a Koro hoki ana ōna mahara ki ērā atu tohe me ngā whakatipuranga i hīkoi mō te tika. Whakapiripiri mai ana te huinga tāngata, te huinga hapori, ko rātou katoa e haere tahi ana, kua herea kia kotahi mō te tētāhi ao e ora ai te katoa.

Inspired by the hīkoi in response to the Treaty Principles Bill, this story draws on the words of resilience and resistance that have inspired generations of Māori in the determination for our land, language and right to live as Maori and shape our own destiny. In the story, a koro and his moko join the hīkoi to parliament and remember past actions and activists who marched for justice. In the march, there are many figures from many communities and many walks of life, but they all walk in the same direction, unified in a vision of the future in which people thrive. The words of the story inspire us to be resilient and remind us that we are not alone, and that in coming together we are powerful.

I’ve heard Pania talk about the inspiration for this, and the process around the te reo Pāhekā translation. I love that the publication team decided NOT to us the English alphabet for the English language version – ie a, b, c – instead they kept with the Māori alphabet.

Toitū is brilliant. The text is much simpler than in Hīkoi, because, as Pania explained, much doesn’t have to be explained to te reo Māori readers.  

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 17.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens or ages 12-15 years

The Treaty of Waitangi = Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Written by Ross Calman.

Oratia Books, 2025.

Illustrated nonfiction.

The story of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi is one of the greatest in New Zealand history. It marks the moment British and Māori history intersected and a new nation was formed. In The Treaty of Waitangi, Ross Calman outlines the impact of the Treaty from early contact between Māori and European settlers and signing around the country through to its revitalisation in the twentieth century, the formation of the Waitangi Tribunal and the present-day debates about its place at the centre of political and cultural life. Extensive illustrations, photos and fact boxes examine New Zealand's founding document from a range of viewpoints, and highlight the importance of Te Tiriti as a key to understanding the nation's past, present and future. This eighth book further extends Oratia's NZ Series, a non-fiction resource for general readers and schools, introducing complex subjects in concise terms.

A must-read, and perfect for this age group (and up).

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.

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!

Weekend Reads round-up: 4 October: part three

Bread is love.

Written by Pooja Makhijani.

Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu.

Roaring Brook Press, 2026.

Picture book.

Bread is nearly universal. This is a wonderfully warm celebration of bread and traditions. And acknowledgment that it doesn’t always work as planned, but is lovely all the same.

Possible read-alikes:  

• Curry means more by Maria Marianayagam and Geeta Ladi.
• The bakery dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz.
• To stir with love by Kate Mildenhall.
• A pinch of love by Barry Timms and Tisha Lee.
• Monster baker by Laura Lavoie and Vanessa Morales. 

Kupe and the great octopus of Muturangi.

Written and illustrated by Mat Tait.

Allen & Unwin, 2026.

Also published in te reo Māori as Kupe me te Wheke nui a Muturangi.

Illustrated nonfiction.

A retelling of Kupe and the discovery of Aotearoa.

Possible read-likes:

• Whenua and Wāhine by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White.
• Aotearoa: the New Zealand story by Gavin Bishop.
• Weaving earth and sky by Robert Sullivan and Gavin Bishop. 

Meerkat mayhem.

Written by Mem Fox.

Illustrated by Judy Horacek.

Puffin Books, 2024.

Australian.

Picture book.

Very reminiscent of Winnie-the-Pooh getting stuck in Rabbit’s doorway, but with more sarcasm.

Possible read-alikes:

• Torla & Smorla and the deeper than average hole by Kes Gray and Chris Jevons.
• Meerkat splash by Aura Parker.
• The good deed dogs by Emma Chichester Clark.
• Dude. Be nice by Sarah Scheerger with Brent & Jamie Camalich; and Alex Macnaughton.
• I fell in a hole by Claire Zorn.
• Sam & Dave dig a hole by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.

 

Sarabeth's garage.

Written by Melanie Florence.

Illustrated by Nadia Alam.

Tundra, 2026.

Picture book.

Gender roles and old-fashioned views. Which are gloriously upended and ignored at the end.

Possible read-alikes:

• Maisy’s garage by Lucy Cousins.
• Zog and the flying doctors by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
• Fred gets dressed by Peter Brown.
• Princesses can fix it! by Tracy Marchini and Julia Christians.
• Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole.
• Boys don't fry by Kimberly Lee and Charlene Chua.

 

The pandas who promised.

Written by Rachel Bright.

Illustrated by Jim Field.

Orchard Books, 2023. 

Picture book.

Rhyming text.

Promises and temptations – and red pandas!

Possible read-alikes:

• How this book got red by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Melissa Iwai.
• I'm not sleepy by Raahat Kaduji. 
• Oona by Kelly DiPucchio and Raissa Figueroa.  

Little Owl's opposites.

Written and illustrated by Divya Srinivasan.

Viking, 2026.

Board book.

Opposites explored while out in the forest.

Possible read-alikes:

• Animal opposites at the zoo by Emilie Tavaearii.
• Little Fish's opposites by Lucy Cousins.
• Opposites with Owl and Bird by Rebecca Purcell.
• Sweet dreams by Becky Davies and Hannah Abbo.

 

Squabble and squeak.

Written and illustrated by Raahat Kaduji.

Alison Green Books, 2026.

Picture book.

Noise and neighbours, and danger!

Possible read-alikes:

• Crash! Bang! Wallop! by Neil Clark.
• Marcie and Giraffe by Kim Gregory.
• Tomorrow I'm in charge! by Jörg Mühle; translated by Melody Shaw.
• Tiger's perfectly different day by Alison Murray. 

Snake brought cake: a New Zealand birthday zooprise!

Written by Sam Smith.

Illustrated by Daron Parton.

Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand, 2022.

Aotearoa.

Picture book.

Rhyming text.

Fun and games, literally, at the zoo.

Possible read-alikes:

• Don't scare the dentist by qualified dentist and licensed comedian Sam Smith and Daron Parton. 
• One blue gnu by Danna Smith and Ana Zurita. 
• What’s the time, Mr Wolf by Debi Gliori. 
• Bin chicken feeding time at the zoo by Kate and Jol Temple, and Ronojoy Ghosh. 
• Good night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann. 
• Penguin's party problems by Alice Horn. 

The witch who couldn't spell.

Written by Jess Galatola.

Illustrated by Lu Baker.

Larrikin House, 2026.

Picture book.

Didactic.

How would a child, struggling with spelling / dyslexia, like this book? It’s all well and good saying that working on correctly her spelling mistakes will make it better – when that doesn’t work for you.

Possible read-alikes / instead-ofs:

• Stacey's remarkable books by Stacey Abrams and Kitt Thomas.
• Witchicorn by Angela Woolfe and Sarah Jennings.
• Broom for two by Jennifer Maruno and Scot Ritchie.
• Loops by Jashar Awan. 
• A spider named Itsy by Steve Light.
• The fastest tortoise in town by Howard Calvert and Karen Obuhanych.

The big one.

Written by Dashka Slater.

Illustrated by Myo Yim.

Random House, 2026.

Picture book.

Dreams can come true, in unexpected ways.

Possible read-alikes:

• On Nanna's boat by Anna Pignataro and Max Hamilton.
• The big fish by Pamela Allen.
• The susurrus by Genevieve Young-Evans and Cate James.
• Whoosh! by Sam Usher. 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 8.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens for ages 5-7 years

Bird in spring! Along came a spider.

Written and illustrated by Raymond McGrath.

Graphic Universe, 2026.

Spring is here! The leaves are green. The sky is blue. The flowers are in bloom. And there's a new bird in town . . . Bird is finally out on his own, but he's having a hard time. Finding the perfect tree is anything but easy. Building a perfect nest isn't going well. As for making friends? That's proving to be the biggest test of all. That's when Spider swings by, catching Bird's eye. But they can't possibly be best friends . . . or can they?

There is a paucity of fiction for this age group – that aren’t picture books. It hasn’t been an area often covered by New Zealand creators – first readers (apart from actual readers by publishers like Wendy Pye) and first chapter books.

In this case, the author is a New Zealander, but the series is published in the USA, and looks and feels more USA than NZ.

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 7.

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens that is a graphic novel

 

Folk remedy: the hidden world of the yōkai. (Book 1).

Written and illustrated by Jem Yoshioka.

Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2025.

After twelve-year-old Maple Morimura reads a book detailing her family's relationship to the spirits and supernatural beings called yōkai, she unexpectedly travels to a hidden spirit world with a mischievous Yōkai named Ember.

Shortlisted for the Russell Clark Award for Illustration, in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, 2026.Shortlisted for the NZSA Best First Book Award in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, 2026.

Ends on a cliffhanger!

Jem dedicated her first book to her grandmother, Taeko, who travelled from Japan to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Weekend Reads round-up: 4 October: part two

 

The ocean's heartbeat: the story of a jellyfish in search of a heart.

Concept and illustrations by dame & dusa.

Translated into English from the German text by Anna Taube.

Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2025.

Picture book.

An interesting one. Lots of science involved, but I’m wondering how confusing this would be – the concept of a living creature without a heart.

Possible read-alikes:

• Heartbeat by Doe Boyle and Daniel Long.
• A smack of jellyfish by Paul Worsley and Hannah Taufan.
• Little Turtle's book of the blue by Yuval Zommer.
• Lifesize ocean animals by Sophy Henn.
• Nudi Gill: poison powerhouse of the sea by Bonnie Kelso.

Shapes of nature: a kaleidoscope of the natural world.

Written by Ben Hoare.

Illustrated by Sally Caulwell. 

Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2026.

Illustrated nonfiction.

Amazing! Hours of interest!

Possible read-alikes:

• The wonder of nature: discovering the science behind its beauty by Natalia Harańczyk.
• The world around me illustrated by Anastasia Druzhininskaya.
• Explore: a collection of maps and diagrams that explain the world by Lizzie Munsey, Studio Muti, and Kaley McKean.
• Timelines of nature: discover the secret stories of our ever-changing natural world.
• The observologist by Giselle Clarkson. NZ author.

Bum Fish.

By Pauline Pinson, Magali Le Huche.

Translated from the French by Tim and Sofia Smith-Laing.

Pushkin Children's, 2026.

Picture book.

Teasing and being different.

Possible read-alikes:

• I am not a fish by Patrick Guest and Katie Abey.
• Gigantic by Rob Biddulph.
• The bear fairy by Paul Coccia and Fred Blunt.
• Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes.
• Ish by Peter H. Reynolds.  

Picopaco: the woodpecker who built a town.

Written and illustrated by Mocculere.

Flying Eye Books, 2025.

Picture book.

Neurodiversity and sound issues (misophonia). Also loneliness v solitude v isolation. Note to everyone: being alone does not necessarily mean being lonely. Like solitude does not necessarily mean you are isolating yourself.

Possible read-alikes:  

• Too much!  an overwhelming day by Jolene Gutiérrez and Angel Chang.
• A friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey and Mika Song.  
• Duck, Duck, Bruce! by Dannika Patterson
• The wonderful stranges by Melanie & Monica Koster. NZ creators. 
• Koala ark by Stephen Michael King.  
• Alone on my rock by Smriti Halls and Luke Scriven.
• The fire wombat by Jackie French and Danny Snell.  
• Alone! by Barry Falls.
• Only: the bird who liked being alone by Airlie Anderson.

 

Wowee! look at that tree!

Written and illustrated by Ben Knight.

Scholastic Australia, 2026.

Australian.

Picture book.

Rhyming text.

A tree decides to be itself – which saves it when developers come in.

Possible read-alikes:

• Gigantic by Rob Biddulph.
• I saw a tree by Kes Gray and Jim Field.
• Last tree in the city by Peter Carnavas.
• The city tree by Shira Boss and Lorena Alvarez.
• The oak tree by Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandoy.
• My tree by Hope Lim and Il Sung Na.
• Survivor tree by Marcie Colleen and Aaron Becker.
• Adoette by Lydia Monks. 

Milo and Twig.

Written and illustrated by Liz Brizzi.

Post Wave Children's Books, 2026.

Picture book.

Rescued bird spreading its wings – literally.

Possible read-alikes:

• Come back, Gosling by Anne Booth and David Litchfield.
• Sparrow loves birds by Murry Burgess and Tamisha Anthony.
• Iron Robin by Rose Tremain and Richard Jones.
• Bird Boy by Matthew Burgess and Shahrzad Maydani.
• How to heal a broken wing by Bob Graham.
• The story of Girl and Fish by Carolina Parada.
• Where the heart is by Irma Gold and Susannah Crispe. 

Webs of words / written by Stephanie Ley ; illustrated by Julie Spencer.

Little Steps Publishing, 2026.

Australian.

Picture book.

Heading towards earnest territory. The problem with sharing mean words, and watching them spread.

Possible read-alikes:  

• If you plant a seed by Kadir Nelson.
• The sweater by Larissa Theule and Teagan White.
• A spider named Itsy by Steve Light.
• The teacup by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros.
• Punch!: a story about kindness by Michael Hall.

 

Glass: looking in, looking out.

Written by Larissa Theule.

Illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov.

Candlewick Press, 2026.

Illustrated nonfiction.

Possible read-alikes:

• The magic & mystery of Earth by Jason Bittel and Claire McElfatrick.
• Earth, wind, fire, water by Cameron Walker and Thomas Baas.
• What's it made of?: the materials that shape our world by Dr Kat Day, Clive Gifford, and Hilary Lamb.
• Explanatorium of science by Derek Harvey, Bea Perks, Kat Day, Hilary Lamb.
• Astonishing atoms and matter mayhem by Colin Stuart and  Annika Brandow. 

The blue tomato.

Written and illustrated by Amber Aü.

Little Tiger Press, 2026.

Picture book.

Fitting in and finding yourself.

Possible read-alikes:

• One of these is not like the others by Barney Saltzberg.
• We match! by Chris Barton ; illustrated by Sharon Glick.
• We're different and it's totally cool! by Camey Yeh.
• That bird has arms by Kate + Jol Temple, and Niharika Hukku + Ronojoy Ghosh.
• The circular Square by Simon Philip and Neil Clark.
• Marty by Rachel Noble and Zoey Abbott. 

Sylvie and the Wolf.

Written by Andrea Debbink.

Illustrated by Mercè López.

Sounds True, 2023.

Picture book.

Fear, anxiety, secrets of an undetermined nature.

Possible read-alikes:

• Mindi and the goose no one else could see by Sam McBratney and Linda Ólafsdóttir.
• Desi, Mami, and the never-ending worries by Eva Mendes and Abbey Bryant.
• When I feel brave by Britta Teckentrup.
• Victor the wolf with worries by Catherine Rayner.