SHORT TAKES: PICTURE BOOKS
LITTLE KIWI — THE COOL MAMA
Bob Darroch (Picture Puffin, $19)
Few picture books caused as much excitement in our house as the arrival of the latest installment in the life of Darroch’s “Little Kiwi”. Given that the much-loved character made his first appearance in 2001, he’s almost made it into adulthood but here he’s very much in truculent teen mode when mum asks if he can do some chores. No, is his answer to that because, like most youngsters, he doesn’t see why kids should do all the work while their parents have all the fun. That is until a storm blows in and Little Kiwi finds himself in charge of some lost eggs. He’s about to learn a harsh lesson that a parent’s life is harder than he thought. Gentle and amusing, it’s easy to see why the series continues to be so successful and enduring.
THERE’S A HEDGEHOG IN MY PANTS Amy Harrop, Ross Kinnaird (Scholastic books, $19)
Harrop’s debut picture book is a mildly funny and far-fetched tale of a hedgehog who moves in, very much uninvited, into a warm and cosy home leaving a young lad having to deal with a prickly predicament when no one believes that there’s “a hedgehog in my pants”. It’s an amusing way to look at problem solving, generosity and kindness.
BAMBI THE BLIND ALPACA
Jan Lummis, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic books, $19)
Bambi’s sad story received much attention last year when the blind alpaca — not deer — was left mourning his long-time paddock mate, Charisma, who went missing never to be seen again. Their owner, Jan Lummis, decided to tell Bambi’s story in this picture book evocatively illustrated by one of our best, Jenny Cooper. It includes photos and information about alpacas and serves as a salient reminder that animals aren’t just beasts of burden or playthings for us, but sentient beings with some very real feelings. A touching story about friendship and grief, there’s a happy ending.
THINGS IN THE SEA ARE TOUCHING ME Linda Jane Keegan, illustrated by Minky Stapleton (Scholastic, $19)
Nominated for Best Picture Book at this year’s New Zealand Children and Young Adults Book Awards, this is a family story about an anxious child trying to enjoy a day at the beach. Keegan manages to combine natural science, bravery and overcoming adversity, love and rainbow families in the one book which shows, without ever being heavy-handed, what the award judges mean when they say our writers and illustrators are adept at presenting social diversity. It’s vibrant, sensitive and bound to inspire a few outdoor adventures. THE CAT FROM MUZZLE — A HIGHCOUNTRY CAT’S INCREDIBLE WALK HOME Sally Sutton, illustrated by Scott Tulloch (Picture Puffin, $20)
Speaking of adventures, this is an inspired-bya-true-life story about a cat called Dwayne who moved towns with his owners but decided he preferred life back on the farm at Muzzle Station. So, the tabby cat decided to return all the way from Kaikoura to Southern Marlborough, crossing mountains and rivers on a five-week walk home. It’s a heartland New Zealand tale full of relatable scenes, flora and fauna that will delight young readers.
NITS
Stephanie Blake (Gecko Press, $19)
I’m not going to say too much to incriminate my family but let’s just say when I saw the title of Blake’s new book (she’s also the author of the best-selling Poo Bum), I thought, “there’s a title we can relate to”. Nits are no joke, but they are in this story of young love, first kisses and what you share when you get close to people who matter. Luridly bright, sweet and funny, it’s definitely one anyone dealing with the itchy little critters should take a moment to read and chortle over.
SONG OF THE RIVER
Joy Cowley, illustrated by Kimberly Andrews (Gecko Press, $30)
A gorgeous new hardback edition of Cowley’s 1994 book, it celebrates a child’s fascination with nature and the outdoors and may, despite the winter weather, tempt you to pull on your tramping boots and get outside. It’s the story of a young boy tracing the course of a trickle of water to the sea but also a reflection on the wider human journey from living on the land to becoming more urbanised. As well as Cowley’s gentle prose, which ebbs and flows like rivers and seas themselves, exquisite illustrations from Kimberly Andrews will leave you with a nostalgic, warm feeling.
CINNAMON
Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Divya Srinivasan (Bloomsbury, $17)
Yes, you read the author’s name correctly. Neil Gaiman, the award-winning writer of everything from comic books to adult novels, takes his penchant for fantasy — often dark fantasy — and mixes it with a touch of horror and a sprinkling of comedy to tell the story of Cinnamon, a princess whose eyes are made of pearls and who refuses to talk. Divya Srinivasan’s simple but lush illustrations match the tone perfectly as Cinnamon prepares to take her place in a world of her own making. Prepare to hear her roar!
MY DOG MOUSE
Eva Linstrom, translated by Julia Marshall (Gecko Press, $20)
How many parents and caregivers have been thrown the puppy dog eyes by kids who are desperate for a dog? Those kids will find a friend they can relate to in this gentle, ever-so-slightly whimsical story about a girl taking a dog called Mouse — “he’s old and fat with ears as thin as pancakes” — on a walk through a city park. There’s a surprise twist that may well leave you with a catch in your throat and a tear in your eye — and maybe make you think more seriously about those requests for a canine companion.
POLLY DOES NOT WANT A CRACKER Stephanie Thatcher (Upstart Press, $20) “Ah,” said Miss Zoe after reading this one, “it really does go to show there’s someone out there for everyone”. Then she went back to eating blue cheese and olives. Polly is reputed to be the rudest parrot in the zoo — but the truth is she’s sick of people asking if she wants a cracker when she would much prefer an ice-cream sundae with sprinkles or a fruit salad with whipped cream and jelly. What she needs is to find someone who understands her. Thatcher’s book is a wise, wry take on being yourself and finding “birds of a feather” you can flock together with.
TIRAMA, TIRAMA, MATARIKI TWINKLE, TWINKLE, MATARIKI Rebecca Larsen (Imagination Press, $20)
A vibrant addition to the growing number of Matariki-themed books, Larsen’s authentically Aotearoa take on Twinkle, twinkle little star isa delight. Pakeko, Kiwi and Hoiho blast off “further than any bird ever before past the clouds and the moon in the sky” to explore the stars of Matariki which, thanks to the very helpful glossary, young readers will learn a lot more about. The book is a reorua (bilingual) one which could well become a Kiwi classic. TE TIRITI O WAITANGI THE TREATY OF WAITANGI
Ross Calman, Mark Derby and Toby Morris (Lift Education E Tu, $20)
Wow! If we’re talking about books destined to beome classics, this could well be another to add to the list. The first reorua graphic novel about our founding treaty, it’s come out of a project originally for the Ministry of Education’s highly-regarded School Journal and marks Lift Education’s first move into commercial publishing. This is a comprehensive, yet highly readable, introduction to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the discrepancies and challenges around it. If the calls to better teach New Zealand history are heeded (and let’s hope they are), this could well provide an entertaining yet thorough and thought-provoking text to start with. Highly recommended.
THE DAY THE PLANTS FOUGHT BACK Belinda O’keefe, illustrated by Richard Holt (Scholastic, $19)
Don’t be disrespectful or rude and treat others the way you want to be treated — that, declared Miss 9, is the message of this action-packed, book about boisterous brothers Patrick and Wayne who “drove their parents insane”. One day out in the garden, though, the boys get their comeuppance from an unexpected source. It’s a lively coming-ofage story in clever rhyme with bold illustrations.
A STORY FOR MATARIKI: THE PROMISE OF PUANGA
Kirsty Wadsworth, illustrated by Munro Te Whata (Scholastic, $19)
On the West Coast, the appearance of the star Puanga, cousin to the Matariki stars, heralds the coming of winter. In this fable, Hana discovers a secret about her best friend Puanga and with the help of the mighty Tawhirimatea (the god of the weather), a new star appears in the heavens to blaze in the winter sky. It’s an enlightening story — no pun intended — but a tad confusing given it’s set in contemporary Aotearoa and seems to also be about friendship and grief. Miss 9 was concerned younger children might find it confusing and sad.
THE PRINCESS AND THE PIRATE Charlie Holt, illustrated by Jane Smith (One Tree Press, $30)
A new addition to the many (many) princess themed books, this is a little more action-packed than your average Disney princess story. Princess Primrose, our feisty heroine, has a secret life which involves night-time crime-solving capers. Holt could well be on to something here by making her main adversary a pirate — after all, they’re a kids’ favourite, too. It’s humorous with a cinematic quality to the drawings and rhymes.