Patu: The New Zealand Wars by Gavin Bishop (Tainui, Ngāti Awa)
A comprehensive, clear and beautifully illustrated history of the New Zealand Wars – from the musket wars of the 1840s through to the plunder of Parihaka in 1881 and beyond. Gavin Bishop succinctly tells the stories of the battles and the people involved while cleverly interweaving the history of his own tūpuna. A must have for all readers, young and old.
The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions by Giselle Clarkson
With humour, amusing yet accurate illustrations and tips for developing ‘observology’ techniques, The Observologist invites readers to take a closer look at the world around them. Full of fascinating facts about creatures found in four easily accessible habitats, this appealing book makes examining insects and other small creatures seem like a very cool pastime.
Tuatara: A Living Treasure by Katie Furze and Ned Barraud
A baby tuatara pops out of her leathery egg. Readers follow her as she emerges from the burrow, eats, rests, avoids predators, grows and eventually lays her own eggs. With beautifully detailed illustrations and many fascinating tuatara facts, this tale of one of Aotearoa’s living legends has been expertly crafted for younger readers.
Ultrawild: An Audacious Plan to Rewild Every City on Earth by Steve Mushin
This is a book for everyone who is delighted by design, creative thinking and fascinating inventions – and anyone who cares about the implications of climate change. Dense with intricate illustrations, Ultrawild presents dozens of offbeat but plausible inventions aimed at rewilding our cities and saving our planet. A truly unique and inspiring read.
Wot Knot You Got: Mophead's Guide to Life by Selina Tusitala Marsh
Everyone has knots – problems that tie us up so tight we feel we can’t get out of them. In this brilliant self-help book, full of wonderful wordplay and distinctive fun illustrations, Mophead encourages children to solve their knotty problems by grabbing a pencil and creatively and playfully untangling themselves.
