By Oscar age 12 Oscar is in Year 7 and goes to Mission Heights Junior College. “I love drawing, reading, going out on the farm with all the birds and the animals. I love being with our cat, Meeno. My favourite thing about 2023 has been drawing.” 2023 has served a dazzling array of children’s books published in Aotearoa. Children’s books that have lifted me out of the mundane, and at times the weight of the world. I strongly believe in the power and scope of children’s books to deliver entertainment, offer humour and mystery, sadness and joy. They might challenge, generate hope, belly laugh ..read more

Wot Knot You Got? Mophead’s Guide to Life, Selina Tusitala Marsh Auckland University Press, 2023 We have taken Selina Tusitala Marsh’s beloved Mophead books to our hearts – whether we are young or old. Especially if we are having, or have had periods of awkwardness, lack of self confidence, have experienced the sharp tongue of a bully, or stood out as being different. Selina’s latest addition to the series, Wot Knot You Got? Mophead’s Guide to Life, bounces off 11 questions that young Mophead fans have given her. Genius. Interactive. Special. And this is a special book. A playful book. An ..read more

Here is Hare, Laura Shallcrass, Beatnik Publishing, 2023 Here is Hare is a delightful joy-rich peek-a-boo picture book by artist and author, Laura Shallcrass. I am a big fan of Laura’s picture books (Hare & Ruru, What Colour is the Sky, Moonlight Mission) so this is a treat. The board book is pitched at our youngest picture book fans. I have been musing on how illustrations have personalities, how they sing with the preferences and charisma of the artists to make them unique. With Laura I am drawn to the warm colour palette, the textures that impart life, the facial expressions that ev ..read more

Reindeer’s Christmas Surprise, Ursula Dubosarsky, illustrated by Sue deGennaro Allen & Unwin, 2023 Ursula Dubosarsky is one of my favourite Australian children’s authors. Her new picture book, Reindeer’s Christmas Surprise is a wee gem. On the opening page, a very contented reindeer sits back in a comfy armchair, with feet on a stack of books, and more books leaning against the floor lamp waiting to be read. Under the bauble-decorated Christmas tree, ribbon-wrapped presents wait to be opened. There’s fruit on the table ready to be nibbled. Bliss! Heaven! Christmas delight! Except ..read more

Illuminoceans, Barbara Taylor, artwork by Carnovsky, Wide Eyed Editions, 2023 Ah, Illuminoceans! I have been saving this stunning large-format book for a day when I felt like donning colour viewing lenses and entering the ocean depths. Carnovksy, a Milan-based design duo, has created astonishing kaleidoscopic images of our oceans and seas. Look through the red lens and fishes will come into view, try the green lens to observe the habitat and pick the blue lens when you want to discover other ocean creatures. Plan an ocean travel itinerary: discover the shallows and deep of the Arctic Ocean ..read more

Patu: The New Zealand Wars, Gavin Bishop, Penguin, 2023 Gavin Bishop is taonga. He has gifted his mahi and aroha to Aotearoa within the covers of children’s books, lovingly illustrated, beautifully written, exquisitely published. Gavin’s latest book, Patu: The New Zealand Wars, is the kind of book to emerge from full-scale dedication to a project: the research, the thinking and feeling, the sublime artwork, the text. It is a book we need more than ever at the moment, at a time when our backward-moving Government is filling many of us with dread. This is a book to read now, slowly, thoughtf ..read more

Say My Name, Johanna Ho and Khoa Le, HarperColins, 2023 This book feels doubly important when our new Government seeks to sideline signs in te Reo Māori and rename institutions/ Government departments in English. Te Reo Māori is our first language and, word by word, voice by voice, it is slowly returning to national bloom. This is important. This is to be celebrated. Names are vital, mother tongue is significant. We need to keep feeding, nourishing, sharing, learning our first language. Johanna Ho’s picture book, Say My Name, is an exploration of the power of names, how important it is to p ..read more

Illustration by Scarlett Scarlett is 7 and goes to Mt Cook School. She likes animals, nature, helping, art, gaming, and reading Chi’s Sweet Home and Roald Dahl books. She also has a stall at Wellington Zinefest.  She told me: “The sea is beautiful. I like drawing animals. I like the sea”. Her mum told me: “You can spot a toy ship that has been lost by a kid playing on the beach.”  My November challenge, the last of 2023, was an invitation to write Earth poems. Earth poetry could explore mountains or lakes, birds or trees, animals or oceans, family or friends. The subject was wide ..read more

Begin Again, Oliver Jeffers, HarperCollins, 2023 For there is WILD BEAUTY in this LIFE on EARTH. And HOPE wherever you look for it. Oliver Jeffers, from Begin Again I have a notebook of aides I have listed to help me through serious challenges. Last year it was to help me through my bone marrow transplant and stay strong and happy along my recovery road. I am still on the road and my notebook of aides is essential. In the past weeks the inhumanity in Gaza, coupled with the self-serving choices of our incoming Government, has eroded my equilibrium. How to keep standing? How to keep moving ..read more

The Complete Cleo Stories, Libby Gleeson illustrated by Freya Blackwood Allen & Unwin, 2023 Sometimes you choose a book to read and sweet miracle it is the perfect choice. The Complete Cleo Stories by Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood is such an example. The book deservedly won the Australian Book Council’s Children of the Year Awards. Ah, I can’t believe I have never read this author before. An award winning and acclaimed author, Libby has published over 40 books for children and teenagers. Reading the Cleo stories from cover to cover and I feel like I have had the best walk along the ..read more