'Children should see themselves': David Riley, The Reading Warrior

27 June 2025 First published RNZ

David Riley is a publisher and author of books for children to see themselves. His goal is to 'inspire young people with positive, inspirational stories from Aotearoa New Zealand and Oceania', and to encourage and support them to write and publish their own.

Two of his books have been shortlisted in the 2025 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. One, BLACK MAGIC, he wrote himself, and the other he published - POEM FOR ATAAHUA, by Alistair Te Ariki Campbell, illustrated by Sarah Wilkins. He talks to Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon about his journey.