Writer: Fifi Colston.

Fifi Colston talks about Masher, about the adventures of a boy who accidentally creates a barking-mad glove puppet, with sharp teeth, a fierce attitude and an unpredictable mouth?

May 2022 release

Extract from: Tails of Tangleby Gardens by Sue Heazlewood with illustrations by Jane Smith (Auckram Publishing).

The adventures of whimsical woodland creatures share the pages with a series of recipes in this delightful children’s story and cookbook.

September 2022 release

Author: Margaret Mahy. Illustrator: Minrui Yang. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Drawing on the power of Margaret Mahy earns emerging illustrators top prize.

August 2022 release

Cover story: Roar Squeak Purr: A New Zealand Treasury of Animal Poems edited by Paula Green and illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Penguin Random House).

Featuring more than 200 animal poems by Aotearoa's best writers, ROAR SQUEAK PURR shows just how fun poetry can be, and is sure to inspire a new generation of poets.

October 2022 release

Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Recommended reads with pictures: Have you seen tomorrow? Īhaka and the Unexpected Visitor. There are no moa, e hoa. Who Took the Toilet Paper?

2022 releases

Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Cats and dogs make for amusing new picture books: Jiffy’s Greatest Hits, Kittens of Caturn Go On Holiday and My Real Dog.

2022 releases

Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Recommended reads with pictures: One Weka Went Walking, The Grandmother’s of Pikitea Street/Ngā Kuia o te Tiriti o Pikitea, Moonlight Mission and The Grizzled Grist Does Not Exist.

2022 releases

Author: Dawn McMillan. Illustrator: Ross Kinnaird. Translator: Stephanie Huriana Fong.

It’s available in Chinese, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and American English, now one of Aotearoa’s most successful children’s books has been released in te reo.

September 2022 release

Authors: Various. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Stuck inside during the school holidays? These books will keep the little ones entertained.

June & July 2022 release

Author: Various. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Stunning Matariki stories will keep young and old alike entertained and enthralled.

May & June 2022 release

Interview: Te Ataakura Pewhairangi for Kei te aha ngā kararehe? What are the animals doing? and Ko wai kei te papa tākaro? Who is at the playground? (Massey University Press)

Te Ataakura Pewhairangi: “I would like to see more high-quality resources available for those on their language journey.”

July 2021 & June 2022 release

Authors: Matt Owens & Emma Gustafson, Minky Stapleton, Susan Wardell and Rose Northey. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Stories of friendship and belonging continue to dominate children’s picture books.

2022 releases

Authors: Andrew Crowe, Dave Gunson and Ned Barraud. Reviewer: Alex Eagles.

With winter here, a veritable nest egg of children’s books about New Zealand wildlife is available so, on a cold winter’s day, snuggle up with a pile of books perfect for reading aloud.

2021 - 2022 releases

Author: Nikki Slade Robinson. Reviewer: Alex Eagles.

Hauraki Broo, a new children's book by award-winning illustrator/author Nikki Slade Robinson, is full of wonderful images and information that will delight whale and nature enthusiasts of all ages.

January 2022 release

Author: Anthony Phelps. Reviewer: Michael Burgess.

Even knowing the context, the images in September 12 – The third test and final protest of the 1981 Springbok Tour

November 2021 release

Author: Eirlys Hunter. Reviewer: Sarah Forster.

Works of fiction have the power to make us reconsider our own worlds. The Uprising: The Mapmakers in Cruxcia is one of those books.

November 2021 release

Author: Dick Frizzell. Reviewer: Peter Simpson.

Artist Dick Frizzell: “The universe — and everything in it — is always expanding into tomorrow. What a scene, eh? More magic than magic. Magic, mysterious and beautiful. And here we are. On the third rock from the sun, figuring it out.”

October 2021 release

A Visual Extract from: Atua by Gavin Bishop (Penguin Random House)

October 2021 release

Author: Various. Reviewer: Dionne Christian & Zoe Gadd.

From friendly felines to native birds who help with math, there are sweet treats in Kete’s latest round-up of recent picture book releases.

August - October 2021 release

Author: Elizabeth Pulford. Reviewer: Link Pickering.

In A Definitely Different Summer, Elizabeth Pulford combines the story of a tragic based-on-fact shipwreck with an exciting mystery adventure to craft a tale of unexpected friendship, secret clubs and adventures.

October 2021 release