October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 21

Share a NZ book for children or teens that deserves more attention: 
When the Kehua Calls / When the Kēhua Calls
Written by Kingi McKinnon.
First published by Scholastic, 2002. 
ISBN 1869435222. 
Republished by Scholastic, 2024.
ISBN 9781775437734. 

    

I was so pleased to see this has been republished! It blew my mind - and creeped me out - when I read it all those years ago. 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 20

Share a NZ book for children or teens that you have read recently: 
My Aunt Mary Went Shopping
Written by Roger Hall.
Illustrated by Daron Parton. 
Scholastic, 2014. 
ISBN  9781775432159. 
Published, with illustrations by Trevor Pye, by Ashton Scholastic in 1990. 

    

I requested this because, from the depths of my memory, it seemed like the perfect book to share with local daycares. A few have been asking me to support their children's speech therapy work - without it looking like that's what I'm doing.

And, this playful, tongue-twisting cumulative tale, would be perfect. And, it is! 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 19

Share a NZ book for children or teens: that you are going to read next: 
 A lot of silly: a book of rhymes and nonsense. 
Written by Joy Cowley. 
Illustrated by David Barrow. 
Gecko Press, 2024.
ISBN 9781776575978. 

The fact this is a Joy Cowley collection is enough to sell it. 

But, the publicity around the book - and the launch - just make it even more irresistible. 

There was this article - content warnings in place - about her life, and this book. 

And, then this wonderful piece, after the launch. 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 18

Share a book for NZ children or teens: 
Set on an island in Aotearoa New Zealand. 
Papa's island. 
Written by Melani Drewery. 
Illustrated by Fifi Colston.  
Reed NZ, 2006. 
ISBN 9781869485948. 

Set in Matiu / Somes Island, in the Wellington Harbour. 

During both World Wars, Matiu / Somes Island was used as an internment camp for 'enemy aliens'. 

This story is based on one family's experience of that, in World War Two. 

You can read a bit about the defence history of Matiu / Somes Island on the Department of Conservation website. 

October Kiwi Kids Books: Day 17

Share a New Zealand book for children or teens: 
Picked by a young reader in your life. 
Duffy and the Bullies 
Written by Jeff Szusterman. 
Illustrated by Ant Sang. 
Created from an original play by Lauren Jackson.
Oratia Media, 2024. 
ISBN 9781990042560. 

 

This was highly recommended by a couple of great-niblings*, who attend a Duffy school and have their own copies. 

*a gender-neutral term for siblings' children.