JUST FOR KIDS

Wooolf!

By Stephanie Blake, Gecko Press, $18.99

This is a version of the classic boy who cried wolf story. Here it's a little rabbit who cries wolf to get out of doing his chores. When his mum tells him to clean his room he cries ‘Wooolf!'. When the teacher tells him to say the alphabet he cries ‘Wooolf!' — and everyone runs away and he can do whatever he wants. Then one day he's doing just what he wants — which happens to be having a wee where he shouldn't — and there really is a wolf. This book has lovely bright illustrations and a nice little twist at the end. Part of a series on Simon the cheeky rabbit, with other titles being Poo Bum, Stupid Baby and I Can’t Sleep.

I Need a New Bum!

By Dawn McMillan, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird, Oratia Books, $24.99

A young boy has a big problem — his bum is broken, with a big crack! A silly story that will get the kids giggling. Part of Dawn McMillan's bum series, this edition is in both English and te reo Māori. An awardwinning series popular with kids.

Hairy Maclary and Friends: How Do I Feel?

By Lynley Dodd, Puffin, $19.99

A lift-the-flap book explaining about feelings with the popular Hairy Maclary characters. Kids love these flap books and with the range of animals pictured it, including Hairy Maclary (sad, mischievous, sleepy) and Scarface Claw (scary) will be a popular choice for little ones. Dame Lynley Dodd is one of New Zealand's best-loved authors.