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Children's Books - Books from New Zealand |
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February 2000 This list of suggested books on New Zealand includes picture books, fiction and nonfiction mainly for children and a few adult titles. Titles newly included in this list are marked in blue. If you would like to order any of the books, send orders to Austral Ed by post, fax or email. Payment can be made with bank cheques in Australian dollars (preferably) or by credit card.. Freight is sent by the most economical method, depending on urgency. Recommended by Kate Shepherd Picture books Ron Bacon The Fish of our Fathers illustrated by Robert Jahnke hardback $19.95 A beautifully told and illustrated story about the building of a war canoe. The illustrations are strongly reminiscent of the strong lines of Maori carvings. A glossary explains many Maori words. Winner of the NZ Picture Book of the Year Award 1985. Tower (8 up) Also House of the People which describes the building of a meeting house and House of the Winds which describes the fortification of a pa or fortified village. These stunningly illustrated books give an insight into Maori culture and beliefs. Each hardback $19.95 Gavin Bishop Maui and the Sun pb $14.95 The story of how Maui forced the sun to slow down on its journey across the heavens and so make the day longer. Maui and the Goddess of Fire pb $9.95 Another story about Maui, the famous trickster in Maori traditional stories. One evening he was feeling particularly mischievous and put out all the fires in the village. Joy Cowley The Cheese Trap illustrated by Linda McCelland hb $22.95 pb $9.95 Schol Once upon a mouse-time two little squeaks went cheesing ... only to meet an old grey meow who fancied mouse for her supper. Lynley Dodd Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy Big Book $34.95 hb $22.95 pb $9.95 cassette $10.95 Era Puffin The exploits of Hairy Maclary are well know and loved throughout the world. The rhyme has a rollicking pace and lots of humour. Also Hairy Maclary’s Caterwaul Caper, Hairy Maclary’s Bone, Hairy Maclary’s Rumpus at the Vet, Hairy Maclary SIT, Hairy Maclary Scattercat, Hairy Maclary’s Show Business, Slinki Malinki Cat Flaps, Sniff-Snuff-Snap and Schnitzel van Krumm’s Basketwork, My Cat like to Hide in Boxes each hardback $22.95 each and pb $9.95 The lastest is Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack hb $19.95 Slinky Malinki and Slinky Malinki Open the Door, Schnitzel von Krumm Forget me Not, Wake up Bear pb $9.95 Era & Puffin A Dragon in a Wagon, Find me a Tiger each hb $18.95 and pb 9.95 Patricia Grace Kuia and the Spider illustrated by Robyn Kahukiwa pb $13.95 Puffin A traditional Maori story about a kuia (a grandmother) and a spider. Jenny Hessell Grandma McGarvey goes to Sea illustrated by Trevor Pye hb $25.95 pb $12.95 schol Grandma Mcgarvey Paints the Shed pb $12.95 Grandma takes a Dive hb $25.95 pb $12.95 Grandma McGarvey goes to School hb $25.95 pb $13.95Schol NZ Grandma McGarvey has her own very distinctive style to everything she does. Robyn Kahukiwa Paikea pb $13.95 Puffin NZ Paikea, the ancestor of the eastern and southern Maori tribes, fled from his jealous brother in Hawaiki and travelled on the back of a whale to Aoteroa. Taniwha pb $12.95 Puffin NZ A taniwha takes a boy on a wonderful journey. Margaret Mahy The Great White Man-Eating Shark illustrated by Jonathon Allen pb $8.95 Puffin Norvin impersonates a shark so that he can swim unhindered in the bay but he is all too convincing and attracts a lady shark who considers him "the shark of my dreams". One of my very favourite picture books. The Man whose Mother was a Pirate pb $11.95 puffin Loads of fun as a small man takes his boisterous pirate mother (now retired) to see the sea again. Also Beaten by a Balloon pb $12.95 The Lion in the Meadow pb $8.95 A Busy Day for a Good Grandmother pb $10.95 Her latest is Simply Delicious hb $24.95 Joy Watson Grandpa’s Cardigan illustrated by Wendy Hodder pb $9.95 Schol NZ A delightful story. Grandpa loves his old cardigan but it finally persuaded that it is too old. But the problem is finding another one which is as comfortable. Also Grandpa’s Slippers illustrated by Wendy Hodder pb $9.95 Mere Whaanga-Schollum Tangaroa’s Gift pb $12.95 Schol NZ The story of how a sea shell came to have a beautiful coloured mother of pearl inside but looks drab and colourless on the outside. (Maori and English) The Legend of the Seven Whales of Ngai Tahu Matawhaiti pb $12.95 Schol NZ A simple traditional story written in Maori and in English of how the hills near Wairoa came to be. Collections (retold by) Myths and Legends of Aotearoa hb $39.95 An excellent retelling of 15 traditional stories of the Maori people. Each story has been illustrated by a young secondary school artist from New Zealand. The artists are from a variety of nationalities bringing their own modern creative response to these stories of New Zealand’s cultural history. The Puffin Treasury of New Zealand Children’s Stories hb $45.00 A marvellous collection of picture books, poems, short stories and extracts from novels by both old and new authors. There are a variety of illustrations by New Zealand’s top illustrators. Excellent value since the text of a number of picture books is reproduced in full (only some of the illustrations are included). (ed) Nearly Seventeen pb $14.95 Puffin Seventeen stories and a play reflect the experiences of young women in the nineties, exploring themes of friendship, adventure, romance and affirms the exhilaration and confusion of contemporary life. A wide selection of authors such as William Taylor, Paulla Boock, Gaelyn Gordon and Tessa Duder. Fiction Margaret Beames The Shearwater Bell pb $8.95 An absorbing story which reveals some of New Zealand’s fascinating history and of the relationship between the Maoris and the early settlers. Rona has to stay with her nan while her father is critically ill in London, she settles in well but there is the mystery of the ghost bell and what it means. (10 - 15) Paulla Boock Sasscat pb $12.95 HH/ABG Extremely satisfying book that has wit, sadness, whimsy, questioning and fantasy. Margaret Mahy thinks Sasscat is one of the ten best children’s books to come out of New Zealand. It won the 1994 Esther Glen Medal for the best NZ Children’s Book. (12 up) Also Home Run pb $12.95 A story of the widening gap between rich and poor and the battle of two teenage girls to try and bridge it. HH (13 up) Joy Cowley A Haunting Tale pb $8.95 Lots of ghosts, a very cheerful maid and grumpy owners of a castle make this a fun story for beginner readers. (6 - 8 years) The Silent One pb $7.95 Set in a village in the Ocean Pacific, this is the story of a special relationship between a boy who cannot hear and a strange white turtle. (8 - 12 years) The Wild West Gang pb $8.95 As an only child Michael loves the mess, chaos and fun of his cousins’ big family and is delighted when they shift in just down the street but after a very messy and chaotic camping trip the peace and quiet of his own family also appeals. (7 - 10) The sequel is More of the Wild Wests pb $8.95 Beyond the River pb $12.95 Schol NZ This is a timeless collection of stories which give a wonderfully strong sense of place. These are modern fairy stories which are strongly based in the South Pacific and in particular in Aotearoa (New Zealand). (10 - 14 years) Ticket to the Sky Dance pb $16.95 won the New Zealand Post Junior Fiction Award in 1998. Set in the 21st century, this is a powerful story of the determination and ingenuity of a young brother and sister. (11 - 15 years) Starbright and the Dream Eater pb $12.95 Her most recent is an intriguing science fiction novel about a deadly virus that is threatening the world and in particular Starbright’s own family. (11 - 15 years) Kate De Goldi Sanctuary pb $11.95 Penguin Winner of the Esther Glen Award for senior fiction 1997. An excellent first novel for young adults. Love Charlie Mike pb $11.95 Penguin An engrossing and highly entertaining and moving story. Christy Callaghan has to cope with a senile grandmother, a father suddenly addicted to tennis but she has a strong will of her own and in spite of the handicap of her family is determined to uncover an old family secret. (13 up) Tessa Duder Alex pb $12.95 Penguin A very entertaining read. Alex is a fifteen year old swimmer whose aim is to make the Olympic team. There are difficulties of course however she does make it to the Olympic Games in Rome in the third book of the series. Songs for Alex pb $10.95 Won the 1993 AIM Award for senior fiction Jelly Bean pb $9.95 Puffin NZ Geraldine has a secret ambition to be a conductor. (10 -13 years) Mercury Beach pb $11.95 Puffin When Bingo Best gets involved in the Queen Carnival to raise money for a Community Performing Arts Centre it rapidly changes into a Royal Romp. Entertaining young adult novel. Also Night Race to Kawau pb $8.95 Puffin Disaster strikes when Sam’s father is knocked unconscious during a yacht race. As the weather changes Sam and her mother and sister have to battle high winds and seas throughout the night to reach safety. Tense gripping story. Maurice Gee The Fat Man pb $14.95 Penguin An extraordinary book about a violent psychopathic man who terrorises a young boy, a girl and numerous adults in a small country town. His influence is chilling, menacing and it seems all pervading. The book is described as a thriller, but is not really aimed at teenagers as it won the AIM Award for Junior Fiction. The book tackles the difficult subjects of violence and intimidation against children in a way that, finally, is empowering for children. The book also won the Esther Glen Medal for the best New Zealand book in 1995. The Halfmen of O, Puffin NZ? Motherstone, Priests of Ferris each pb $9.95 Puffin These three books make up a powerful fantasy trilogy in a fight against evil in the world of O. (9 -13 years) David Hill Fat, Four-Eyed and Useless pb $8.95 Schol Ben joins the Writers Group because he is useless at everything else. This is his very amusing diary from the first day to the end of the twelth week. (8 - 11 years) See ya Simon hb $21.95 Mallinson pb $8.95 Puffin The very moving story of a boy who is full of life and a clown at times but who is fighting a losing battle with muscular dystrophy. Winner of the Times Educational Supplement Nasen Award 1994. (11 - 15 years) Treasure Deep pb $16.95 Mallison The friendship between Api and Glyn has its problems partly because of the tensions between their two cultures, Maori and white, but they make a discovery in the sandhills which tests their friendship even further. A well told exploration of friendship between two boys of different cultures. (11 - 14 years) Boots’n’all pb $8.95 Part of the popular Sport Max series, this is the story of the struggles and success of a newly formed school hockey team. (10 - 14 years) Sherryl Jordan One of New Zealand’s best know fantasy writers. She has a great interest in primitive societies and most of her novels have strong female characters. Rocco pb $8.95 Schol An excellent challenging fantasy. Winner of the AIM Award 1991. (11 up) Tanith pb $9.95 Omni/Schol A powerful story of a girl whose love and respect for the wolves causes great suspicion and ill-feeling in the clan in which she lives but where she is considered an outsider. (10 - 15) Juniper Game pb $9.95 Schol NZ (12 up) Secret Sacrament pb $18.95 An absorbing fantasy. The ways between the Navoran and the Shinali are very different and Gabriel discovers he is linked to the Shinali in ways he has never understood. (12 up) Jack Lasenby Because we were the Travellers pb $12.95 HH ABG About a post-holocaust society which has reverted to a nomadic existence, this is the story about an old woman and a crippled boy who have to survive on their wits when they are banished from their tribe. The sequel Taur is a powerful continuation of the story of Ish who forms a close friendship with Taur who is mute but has a powerful personality. (11 - 15 years) Caroline Macdonald The Lake at the End of the World pb $12.95 Puffin Science fiction set in the year 2025 after a cataclysm with a strong environmental theme. 12 up Speaking to Miranda pb 14.95 Puffin On her quest to discover the truth about her mother’s death 17 years ago Ruby goes back to New Zealand and discovers much about herself and others. 13 up Margaret Mahy Her sense of fun and inventiveness is well known. One of the great children’s writers in the world, she writes for all ages. Down in the Dumps with Dinsmore pb $9.95 The very zany story of of Dinsmore who is fascinated by the local dump. He even writes his school project about it. Only Margaret Mahy could make such a subject so funny and such a wonderful comment on life in general or as she says "this great merry-go-round of the world". (7 - 10 years) The Great Piratical Rumbustification pb $9.95 Puffin A story of high hilarity. The rumbustification is as full of rowdy boisterousness as it sounds. But there are two stories in this book and The Librarian and the Robber is not as rowdy but has wonderful ironical references to the art of being a librarian. It should be read by every librarian. As a former librarian herself, Margaret Mahy has great fun with this relationship between a librarian and a robber. 6 - 9 years The Chewing Gum Rescue pb $12.95 Puffin A collection of short stories for elementary school readers. The Haunting pb $10.95 Puffin A gripping and haunting story set firmly in every day reality but with the suspense of the supernatural. 9 - 12 years The Changeover pb $10.95 Puffin 12 up Superb. A gripping read with a wonderful mixture of reality and the supernatural. The Catalogue of the Universe pb 10.95 Puffin Wit and intelligence shine from this story of the blossoming love between between Angela and Tycho in Angela’s last year at school. John Parker Jim’s Run pb $8.95 Omni/Schol Jim absolutely has to have a pair of the world’s best sneakers - Superdoops and enters a tough fun run to prove it. One of the popular Dippers series for 7 - 10 year olds. Duncan Stuart The Whole of the Moon pb 12.95 Pan Kirk is fit, in love and a roller blader enthusiast but his world changes drastically when he is diagnosed with cancer of the bone. His world becomes the world of the cancer ward and its patients. Very moving story for young adults. William Taylor Agnes the Sheep pb $ 9.95 Schol NZ It started out as a simple interview with old Mrs Robinson for a school project but Belinda and Joe didn’t reckon on Mrs Robinson’s pet, Agnes the sheep. Hilarious. A wild and woolly story which would be great to read aloud. It would have the whole class laughing. Winner of the Esther Glen Medal for 1991. (8 to 11 years) Nonfiction Tom Fitzgibbon with Barbara Spiers Beneath Southern Skies: New Zealand Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators pb $26.95 Schol NZ A wealth of information. Excellent background information is given on a wide range of authors and illustrators. Their books are also described in detail. Published in 1993 it doesn’t have the most recent titles but is still an excellent guide for picture books and fiction written by New Zealand authors and illustrators for children. Questions kids ask Margaret Mahy pb $14.95 Schol Margaret Mahy’s New Zealand background is very important in her books. She discusses her childhood, her family, her likes and dislikes, where she lives and the room in which she writes. Also interesting sections on editing and publishing. Also Questions Kids ask Joy Cowley pb $14.95 Ron Thomas and Jan Stutchbury New Zealand (Macmillan Countries series) hardback $19.95 To my surprise this is the only general nonfiction book on New Zealand that I can find that has been published fairly recently (1995). Includes a map, index and has sections on topics such as government, transport, history, famous people, agriculture and city and country life. (9 - 13 years) (ed) The Oxford Illustrated History of New Zealand 2nd ed 1996 hb $69.95 pb $39.95 Oxford This book is an excellent general reference. It is intended for the general adult reader and for secondary students. Each chapter is written by a historian, expert in the field. It covers from the first discovery and settlement by Polynesians 1,000 years ago to the settlement by Europeans till the 1990s. D M Stafford Tangata Whenua: The World of the Maori pb $22.95 Reed An excellent introduction to Maori life. It explains the origins of the Maori, their vast migrations, arrival in NZ and their life before and after the European arrival. There are sections on the marae, the family, traditional crafts, language, games and warfare. Excellent use of photographs, ilustrations and maps. (11 up) Wena Harawira Te Kawa o te Marae: A guide for marae visitors pb $13.95 Reed The marae is a place where Maori people can gather to celebrate special occasions, to talk or argue, to care for guests, pray and weep for their dead. This is an introduction to marae customs. Clearly explained and well illustrated. (8 - 13 years) ed Maori Art and Culture pb $49.95 An excellent book containing chapters on topics such as Maori prehistory, Maori: People and Culture, Maori Society Today, Wood Carving, Fibre Arts and Contemporary Maori Art, written by various experts. An adult book - it would be helpful for upper secondary. The following are adult collections of short stories. Patricia Grace Collected Stories pb $16.95 Penguin This is an adult collection of Grace’s short stories. She is New Zealand’s most well loved short story writer. Ed The Oxford Book of New Zealand Short Stories pb $24.95 Begins with work from the nineteenth century writers through to recent times. Published in 1994. Marion McLeod and Bill Manhire The New Zealand Short Story Collection pb $19.95 Published in 1997, this is a collection of stories from 1992 till 1993.
If you would like to order any of the above books, send orders to Austral Ed by fax, post or email. All prices are in Australian dollars. For additional lists of recommended books and newsletters from Austral Ed, visit our website www.australed.iinet.net
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