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 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 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 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.

Weekend Reads round-up: 4 October: part one

Where the heart is.

Written by Shirley Marr.

Illustrations by Michael Speechley.

Walker Books Australia, 2026.

Australian.

Picture book.

I honestly thought this was a northern hemisphere book – it is very European. Migration due to winter wouldn’t have been a very Australian thing, I would have thought.

Anyway, some possible read-alikes:

• The longer the wait, the bigger the hug by Eion McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar.
• Any room for me? by Loek Koopmans. 
• Be back soon by Anna Wilson and Jenny Bloomfield.
• Somewhere for Little Bear by Britta Teckentrup.
• Stay awake, Bear! by Gavin Bishop. NZ author. 
• The big dreaming by Michael Rosen and Daniel Egnéus.

 

Pō mārie, my moko.

Written by Casey Kaa.

Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White.

Scholastic New Zealand, 2026.

Aoteara.

Picture book.

Rhyming text.

Weaves te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori, throughout.

Possible read-alikes:

• A day with Yayah by Nicola I. Campbell and Julie Flett.
• Going down home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons and Danile Minter.
• Jeong is jeong by Jessica Yoon and Michelle Lee.
• Lots of love from Grandma by Tracey Tasker and Monika Filipina.
• Grandad’s world by Michael Foreman.
• We go slow by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and Aaron Becker. 

Deli days.

Written by Jenna Rothberg.

Illustrated by Marta Pantaleo.

Scribble, 2026.

Picture book.

A debut picture book deeply rooted in the author’s personal memories and family heritage.

Possible read-alikes:

• My nonna loves by Adelle Frittitta and Claudia Frittitta.
• Stay for dinner by Sandhya Parappukkaran and Michelle Pereira.
• Going fishing with Nana by Frances and Lindsay Haji-Ali, and Karen Briggs.
• The cafe at the edge of the woods by Mikey Please.

George and the Dragon.

Written and illustrated by Christopher Wormell.

Penguin Random House UK, 2019.

Picture book.

This went down a treat in my house with the 65+ year olds – nearly universal appeal.

It didn’t go where any of my house expected, which adds to the fun.

Possible read-alikes:

• Not now, Bernard by David mcKee.
• A mouse just ate my house! by Kes Gray and Sebastien Braun.
• Baby Kraken by Ani Manzanas.
• No climbing by Ross Collins.
• The monster in the lake by Leo Timmers; translated by Bill Nagelkerke. NZ translator. 
• The monster at the end of this book by Jon Stone and Mike Smollin. 

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

Written by Pania Tahau-Hodges.

Illustrated by Josie Selkirk.

Also available in a te reo Māori version Toitū.

Aotearoa.  Picture book.

I heard this book, and its genesis, earlier this year. I have been waiting ever since. I am so glad that the team chose to stay with the te reo Māori alphabet letters and order.

There is nothing quite like this, but you could try:

• The greatest haka festival on Earth by Pania Tahau-Hodges and Story Hemi-Morehouse. Te reo Māori edition Mokopuna Matatini.
• Love is powerful by Heather Dean Brewer and LeUyen Pham.
• A is for activist by Innosanto Nagara.
• Change sings: a children's anthem by Amanda Gorman and Loren Long.
• Sometimes people march by Tessa Allen. 
• Speak up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola. 
• Stand up! Speak up!: a story inspired by the climate change revolution by Andrew Joyner. 

Back in my day.

Written by Kevin Nemeth.

Illustrated by Brent Wilson

Affirm Press, 2026

Australian.

Picture book.

Tall tales and stereotypes. Right until the end.

Possible read-alikes:

• Daddy, tell me a story by Kathleen Long Bostrom and Ela Smietanka.
• A hatful of dreams by Bob Graham.
• Put your records on by Corinne Bailey Rae and Gillian Eilidh O'Mara.
• We became jaguars by Dave Eggers and Woodrow White. 

Tiki and Jill and the Great Australian Camel Race.

Written by Kate Simpson and Dr Jill Colwell.

Illustrated by Craig Smith.

Allen & Unwin, 2026.

Australian.

Sophisticated picture book.

Biography.

What a fascinating piece of history!

Possible read-alikes:

• Hoosh!: camels in Australia by Janeen Brian.
• Animal helpers: how animals from around the world help us by Ben Hubbard and Sara Ugolotti.
• Nala's world by Dean Nicholson and Frann Preston-Gannon.
• Bandoola: the great elephant rescue by William Grill.

 

Bowerbird brave.

Written and illustrated by Aura Parker.

Scholastic Australia, 2026.

Australian.

Picture book.

Part of a series about Bowerbird.

A bit meh. Very earnest. 

Possible read-alikes / read-insteads:

• Lena the chicken (but really a dinosaur!) by Linda Bailey and K-Fai Steele.
• The magic scarf by Em Cosh.
• The mice of Mushroom Forest by Zanna Goldhawk.
• What the crow saw below by Robert Tregoning and Greg Stobbs.

 

Here come the aunties!

Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith.

Illustrated by Aphelandra.

Heartdrum, 2026.

Indigenous creator.

Picture book.

Although set in the Muscogee Nation, the message is nearly universal. Aunties are definitely important, and that crosses cultures. They’re not all biological, either.

Possible read-alikes:

• Summer is for cousins by Rajani LaRocca and Abhi Alwar.
• Seasons by the lake: adventures in Greenland by Naja Lund Aparico and Alex Nees.  
• My cousins, my world by Sharara Attai and Michelle Pereira.
• What will my story be? by Nidhi Chanani.
• The beautiful layers of me by Sophia Payne and Ruchi Mhasane. 

Gigantic.

Written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph.

HarperCollins Children's Books, 2023.

Picture book.

Rhyming text.

Determination. Being yourself. Small is mighty.

Possible read-alikes:

• Wowee! look at that tree! by Ben Knight.
• The blue tomato by Amber Aü.
• Rory the remarkable dragon by Kathryn Rammell.
• A different dragon by Nick Gill and Luma Wildish.
• The lion & the mouse by Jerry Pinkney.

World Kid Lit Month 2026: Explorer Challenger: 7-12: Oceania

 

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. 

World Kid Lit Month: Bingo for 0-6: Oceania

The dynamic duo of Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata).

•  Keys / Ngā Kī (Huia, 2014). 

• The Marble Maker | Te Kaihanga Māpere (Huia, 2016). 

• The Bomb | Te Pohū (Huia, 2018). 

• Cannonball (US edition of The Bomb; Sourcebooks, 2020). 

• One Bird Band (Little Steps Publishing, 2022) 

• When Daddy Tucks Me In (US edition of Keys; Sourcebooks, 2023). 

• Dazzlehands / Ringakōreko (Huia, 2023). 

• A Guide to Rocks / He Taonga te Toka (Huia, 2025)

Te reo Māori editions translated by Kawata Teepa (Tūhoe, Te Whakatōhea).

I had the privilege to be part of the audience for the inaugural performance of A Guide to Rocks at the Auckland. Claire Mabey, in this article for The Spinoff, wasn’t the only one crying – and wanting the pair to have a recording contract. Like Crissi Blair, in her report, I thought Ice Cream was a hit – I heard it once, months ago, and now my earworm is ‘brain freeze emergency.’

One the face of it, not all of their books are obviously from Oceania / the Pacific region / Aotearoa New Zealand, but there’s a certain quality that infuses them all.

World Kid Lit Month: Bingo for 0-6: A Language Spoken by a Friend

Miro / Look and Titiro / Look. 

English text, and illustrations, by Gavin Bishop. 

Spanish translation by Zab Translation. 

Te reo Māori translation by Darryn Joseph. 

Gecko Press, 2024. 

I love, love, LOVE the te reo Māori / English version of this, so finding the Spanish / English version in our collection, was a joy.

Gavin Bishop is a legend – a taonga (treasure).

Recently, he has been tasked with creating little gems of board books, perfect for our littlest readers.

Titiro / Look won this year’s Best Picture Book Award in the New Zealand Books Awards for Children & Young Adults. 

As reviewers have noted, it is deceptively simple.

World Kid Lit Month: Bingo for 0-6: Bilingual Picture Book

Show Us Where You Live, Humpback = Whakaatuhia Kei Hea tō Kāinga, Paikea

Written by Beryl Young. 

Illustrated by Sakika Kikuchi. 

Originally published by Greystone Kid, 2021. 

Te reo Māori translation by Kanapu Rangitauira (Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou, Te Whakatōhea), with additional translation and review by Raniera Kingi (Ngāpuhi). 

Bilingual Vox book narrated by Miriama McDowell (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi). 

It feels like the combination of creators of this Vox edition represent the geographic reach of the humpback whale: from Canada, Japan, and Aotearoa New Zealand.

This is a lyrical introduction to the world of the humpback whale, and makes them and their lives more relatable to young readers.

There is a news article about the six Vox books that have been translated into te reo Māori.

And, an article by one of the Auckland Libraries’ team, who were part of the creators of the bilingual Vox collection. 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day Ten

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens: 
for older children or teenagers, written in te reo Māori. 
Te pakanga a Ngāti Rānaki me Te Ranga-Tipua. 
Translation of Avengers vs the X-Men. 
Authors: Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Jonathon Hickman.
Translator: Te Korou Whangataua. 
Illustrators: John Romita, Oliver Coipel, Adam Kubert. 
Publication: Auckland University Press, 2021; ISBN 9781869409166. 

I was pleasantly surprised when this arrived at my library site! 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day Four

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens: for infants or younger children, written in te reo Māori: 
Koro. 
Written and illustrated by: Gavin Bishop. 
Publication: Gecko Press, 2021; ISBN 9781776574018

Also available as: Pops. 

Publication: Gecko Press, 2021; ISBN 9781776574001

I love the simplicity of this. The text is simple enough that non-fluent speakers can share it in storytime sessions. 

I love the illustrations - and this one, with the contrast in hand size - is one of my favourites.

Gavin has a wonderful command of the use of white space. 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day Two

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens: for ages 0 to 4 years. 

Titiro Look
Author / Illustrator: Gavin Bishop
Translator: Darryn Joseph
Publisher: Gecko Press, 2024. 

In the words of Betsy Bird, US librarian, reviewer, and author: 

YUSSS!!! Oh lord, people, why is something like this so rare? All I want is for accomplished picture book illustrators to hone their talents to the board book format and THEN be paired with those books that will be most useful to children. I’m talking accordion books/high contrast/lift-the-flaps/you name it. Gavin Bishop is of Maori descent (Ngāti Pukeko, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Mahuta, Tainui) and is a friggin’ New Zealand national treasure. He’s also been making books for kids for decades upon decades. LOOK is a particular delight with faces on one side of the accordion pull-out pages, and objects on the other. Meanwhile FRIEND goes through a range of different emotions with a little dog as your avatar. More of this please! 

Well, Titiro Look is definitely more! 

World Kid Lit Month 2024: Traditions.

From celebrations to traditions - over this month I've travelled the globe, and subjects - and I hope you enjoyed the journey with me. 

The big bath house by Kyo Maclear & Gracey Zhang. 

A celebration of traditions and growing up. And of bodies of all shapes and sizes. 

Come together: things every Aussie kid should know about the First Peoples by Isaiah Firebrace & Jaelyn Biumaiwai. 

In this essential book, Isaiah, a Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man, establishes a foundation of First Nations knowledge with 20 key topics. Alongside bright and contemporary illustrations by Mununjali and Fijian artist Jaelyn Biumaiwai, Isaiah connects us to each topic through his own personal story and culture, from the importance of Elders to the Dreaming. From Koori Curriculum. 

This is a taonga (treasure). It is worth trying to find, to get some insights into one of the oldest continuous culture on our planet. 

Coming home to country by Bronwyn Bancroft. 

The colours, smells, and sounds of the author's Country are vividly brought to life. Australia is home to many a Country.

Country is the connection Australian First Nations have to a place. To the lands, seas, and waterways. To their family and community. 

The ocean calls by Tina Cho & Jess X. Snow. 

The pull of traditions, and aspirations. But, seriously, wouldn't you want to grow up and be a haenyeo - a free diving mermaid? 

How my Koro became a star by Brianne Te Paa & Story Hemi Moorhouse. 

The author, Brianne Te Paa, is a local for me. Literally works a ten minute walk away. We've done story readings at the same events - at a venue equidistant. 

Even without that geographical connection, this book would pull on my heart, and I would find a home for it in my house, and my life. 

World Kid Lit Month 2024: Grandparents

I had a wonderful relationship with (most of) my grandparents. And, the relationship between child and grandparent can be a very special one indeed, with support going both ways. 

The encyclopedia of Grannies by Éric Veillé & Daniel Hahn. 

Quirky illustration and text makes this a riotous read. 

Koro / Pops by Gavin Bishop. 

A deceptively simple board book, which is available in both English and te reo Māori. 

Maia and what matters to Tine Mortier, Kaatje Vermeire, & David Colmer. 

The relationship between a grandchild and their grandmother, especially after the grandmother has a stroke, and their grandfather dies. 

Tibble and Grandpa by Wendy Meddour & Daniel Egneus. 

Tibble and Grandpa has a similar story to the above: a grieving grandparent, recovering from a stroke. 

Weekend reading: 15 September Part One

Helga makes a name for herself. 

Written by Megan Maynor. 

Illustrated by Eda Kaban.

Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020.

ISBN 9781328957832. 

A story of dreams, persistence, and determination. And the friendship of a loyal pet. 

Viking stereotypes and references are many, with an author's note about horned helmets and female warriors. 

A sprinkle of happiness. 

Written by Lucy Rowland. 

Illustrated by David Litchfield. 

Scholastic UK, 2024. 

ISBN 9780702313776. 

Rhyming couplets tell a story of spreading kindness and love through a community. 

This worked quite well at a daycare storytime about growing and spring. 

A unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark were riding a bicycle. 

Written and illustrated by Jonathan Fenske. 

Scholastic Australia, 2024. 

ISBN 9781761528217. 

Sequel to A unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark walk into a book. 

There are stories that demand dramatic reading. I can see this as a four-part readers theatre in my head. I've even cast the parts, based on my team. 

One more day until Pride. 

Written by Gareth Peter. 

Illustrated by Max Rambaldi. 

Puffin Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9780241632406. 

A diverse group of children prepare for Pride, each representing a colour of the rainbow. 

There are various disabilities featured, including: wheelchair user, glasses, cochlear implant, vitiligo, prosthetic arm. 

The children are from many cultures, and have different family dynamics. 

The last double page spread shows the children as adults, again with different families, and breaking gender norms. 

New Zealand title: Titiro Look. 

Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop. 

Translated by Darryn Joseph. 

Gecko Press, 2024. 

ISBN 978177657545. 

What a taonga! Bilingual / dual language te reo Māori and English, with the te reo Māori as the first / prominent language.  The words include the usual, but then there's others that lift this book out of the ordinary. 

Words like: maimoa cherish; tipihaere roam. 

The people featured are all different, with different cultural backgrounds. 

The very polite knight. 

Written and illustrated by Ian Smith. 

Affirm Press, 2024. 

ISBN 9781922848314. 

Cute, with fairytale leanings: the youngest and quiet son / child who is polite, and achieves the impossible quest. 

Be true to you!

By Maggie Hutchings and Hayley Wells. 

Affirm Press, 2024. 

ISBN 9781922863898. 

Rhyming text. Diverse children, including one in a wheelchair, and transgender. 

The knight snacker. 

Written and illustrated by Valeria Wicker. 

Little, Brown and Company, 2023.

ISBN 9780316456340. 

I really wish publishers would routinely include information about how the book was illustrated. Especially with the rise in AI - it would be good to have this information to hand. To know that there was a creative person behind the work. 

Sparkle and Splodge. 

Written and illustrated by Neil Clark. 

Ladybird Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9780241563328. 

Rhyming couplets tell the lives of two opposing characters. The key is balance: a tidy place, with messy play.

I felt this was borderline didactic, and was close to shouting 'message'. 

Pie-rats! 

Written by Lisa Frenkle Riddiough. 

Illustrated by David Mottram. 

Viking, 2024. 

ISBN 9780593203286. 

Rhyming couplets, mostly, and enough to make you hungry! Thanks publisher - because I now know that the art of this book was made using pen and ink drawings, then coloured digitally. 

Goodnight Sun. 

Written by Eoin McLaughlin.

Illustrated by Morag Hood.

Faber and Faber, 2024. 

ISBN 9780571377527. 

Poor Sun doesn't want to go to sleep, and is a bit afraid of the dark. Thankfully, Sun has friends around to help.

A gentle and reassuring book. 

A fairy called Fred. 

Written by Robert Tregoning. 

Illustrated by Stef Murphy. 

Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781526648884. 

Rhyming couplets tell the story of a fairy who wants to grant dress wishes, and a young boy who wishes for the perfect princess gown to wear to a friend's party. 

There's no judgement here, just a couple of people living their dreams. 

Not-a-box city. 

Written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis. 

HarperCollins, 2024. 

ISBN 9780061827280. 

Rabbit, from Not-a-box, attempts to keep their box city to themselves, but has a change of heart. And, with the help of friends, makes a wonderful city to share. 

A book in which the message of sharing = great / selfishness = sadness - doesn't override the story.  

Beach bummer. 

Written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins. 

Disney-Hyperion, 2024.

ISBN 9781368090247. 

BRUCE!!!! 

Poor Bruce. Poor, poor Bruce. For such a grump, he is so easily persuaded by pleading eyes. 

I love Bruce. I identify with Bruce. 

A rainy dragon day. 

Written and illustrated by Julie Völk. 

Translated from the German by Melody Shaw. 

Original title: Drachenregentage. 

Gecko Press, 2024. 

ISBN 9781776575794. 

A toilet book that I'd happily read at storytime. Yes, this is a book that deals - mostly - with where dragons go to the toilet. 

This is an interesting question. 

Another question is: are Germans more open / relaxed about toilet routines than those of English heritage? I don't live in the UK, but my ancestors did. I live in colonised Aotearoa New Zealand, which has inherited many English hang-ups. Including toileting. 

This is not the first Germanic-area book I've read, in which the human is shown on the toilet, with toilet noises. 

Michael Morpurgo presents Owl or Pussycat? 

With set design by Polly Dunbar. 

David Fickling Books, 2020. 

ISBN 9781788450720. 

A delightful story of school firsts, including childhood crushes, and stage fright. 

Polly Dunbar's set design is as warm and cuddly as the story. 

Stegosaurus makes its way home. 

Written by Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia. 

Illustrated by Marie Bollmann. 

Dorling Kindersley, 2024.

ISBN 9780241636695. 

Although a bit longer for my regular storytime, there's a few dinosaur-loving preschools in my area, that this would be perfect for. 

This is a solid example of non-fiction facts woven into a story, without lessening the story itself. 

The boy who said wow. 

Written by Todd Boss. 

Art by Rashin Kheiriyeh. 

Beach Lane Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781534499713. 

A true story of a non-verbal child, who's heartfelt 'wow' at the end of an orchestral concert was recorded, and wowed so many. 

The last zookeeper. 

Written and illustrated by Aaron Becker. 

Walker Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781529517873. 

A magical wordless book, the tale of Nöa, the robot, and their mission to rescue the animals under their care, as their part of the world succumbs to rising sea levels. 

The detail of the tiger in a cage, as the only predator, is a nice touch. There is no sign of the tiger at the end, however they must be there somewhere. 

There's nothing cuter than a puppy. 

Written by Tom Nicoll. 

Illustrated by Ross Collins. 

Macmillan Children's, 2024. 

ISBN 9781035029327. 

Alliteration is the name of this game, with increasingly bizarre combinations of animals and clothing. Perfect to read for speech therapy and pronunciation practise. 

Agatha May and the anglerfish. 

Writtey by Nora Morrison and Jessie Ann Foley. 

Illustrated by Mika Song. 

Dial Books for Young Readers, 2022. 

ISBN 9780593324752. 

Rhyming text. Agatha moves to her own beat. 

I picked this because the anglerfish was my favourite in a book we had. It was so scary and ugly - and I loved it. (I mentioned to this book to a couple of my siblings, and they were terrified and couldn't even look at the book as children.) 

I found a story of a child who doesn't fit, but also a teacher who cares and knows the child will achieve their dreams. 

Merdaddy. 

Written and illustrated by Wednesday Kirwan. 

Greenwillow Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9780063280274. 

Collage forms the vase of the art work. 

A tale of fun and connection between a father and child. 

A tale of imagination and play. 

The gecko and the echo. 

Written by Rachel Bright. 

Illustrated by Jim Field. 

Orchard Books, 2022. 

ISBN 9781408356067. 

Rhyming text in a moralistic tale of sharing and giving out love, to receive in return. 

No cats in the library. 

Written and illustrated by Lauren Emmons. 

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024.

ISBN 9781665933681. 

I wish my library had a read-aloud cat.

Diverse characters, including in a wheelchair, and different body types, populate this tale of an inner-city library. Illustrated in shades of oranges and turquoise.