BOOKS AND BEATS
Books
Books, books, wonderful books! CRISSI BLAIR picks out the best pages for all ages.
Tu Meke Tuatara
Egg and Spoon: An Illustrated Cookbook
By Malcolm Clarke Illus. Flox (Aka Hayley King)
By Alexandra Tylee Illus. Giselle Clarkson
Little Love $30 Tahi Tuatara is feeling down, and his friend Roger Ruru tries to cheer him up with a hill climb, a swim at the beach, and some delicious food. But nothing works, until a call of distress distracts them and they must go to rescue Pepe Penguin, caught in some plastic rubbish and seaweed. Messages about being a supportive friend and looking after the environment are easily understood through this fabulously illustrated and stylish board book.
Suitable for ages 4-8
Gecko Press $40 Start the day with Strawberry Chocolate Toasted Muesli and finish with Jelly Squares, with lots of fun and good-for-you meals in between. Lots of helpful information for young beginner cooks or for the family to make together. Lots of gluten-free, vegan and dairyfree options, and tips on safety in the kitchen, special techniques and essential equipment. The illustrations are wild and colourful and make you want to dive into these delicious recipes.
Suitable for ages 7+ The Ghosts on the Hill The Cuba Press $22 This short, intriguing tale is based on a true story. It’s 1884, and Elsie lives in Lyttelton, where she meets two young boys returning to Christchurch across the hills by the Bridle Path. They later became lost and died when bad weather closed in. Elsie always felt guilty for not stopping them on their journey, and she finally has to face her fears when the fog rolls in while on an errand. A spooky journey and snapshot of times gone by.
Suitable for ages 8-13
Selected by Fiona Waters Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Nosy Crow $55 This is a very special treasure, and a hefty tome, packed with an animal poem for every day of the year, from a tiny few lines to longer story poems. Illustrations are richly coloured and textured – animals ranging from a tiny flea to the mighty whale. There are even a few New Zealand poems. With indexes by title, author and first line to make it easy to track down your favourites.
Suitable for all ages
TOP PICK
Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep
Charlie Tangaroa and the Creature from the Sea
By Victoria Cleal Illus. Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
By T K Roxborogh llus. Phoebe Morris
Te Papa Press $30
Huia Publishers $25
6
An exciting Kiwi adventure. One-legged Charlie and his half-brother Robbie rescue a poutari – a mermaid-like creature, from the beach. There are dramatic earthquakes and a stormy battle between Māori gods over pollution in the ocean. Charlie discovers his own special abilities that enable him to use his knowledge of Māori songs to reunite the gods.
So much information in this richly illustrated non-fiction picture book all about the colossal squid. From its beginnings as a tiny seed under the Antarctica ice, to the end of its life and all the stages in between. Where it lives, how it survives and the other creatures that live there. Te reo and te ao Māori are incorporated into the information, along with encouragement to care for the environment.
Suitable for ages 8-14
Suitable for ages 7-12
Win!
Summer / 2020
By Kiwi Kids Music kindyRock App kindyrock.com/musicapp-for-kids Judi Cranston’s FREE kindyRock app launches 16th Nov. Full of videos and songs that 0-6-yearolds can sing, dance, and learn to.
Christmas in Summer Book & Song suzy.co.nz ittybittybeats.com
Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright: An Animal Poem for Every Day of the Year
By Bill Nagelkerke
Music for little ears
We have ONE copy each of Egg and Spoon: An Illustrated Cookbook, The Ghosts on the Hill and Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep to giveaway. Follow us for your chance to win @familytimesnewzealand
Suzy Cato & Itty Bitty Beats’ new book Christmas in Summer celebrates the summery Christmas we all know and love.
Silly Funny Songs For Kids! Album chrislamsam.com It’s Chris Lam Sam’s hilarious debut solo album. Featuring rib-tickling performances from Jackie Clarke and Zed-frontman, Nathan King.
Together We Can Single facebook.com/ treetree123.music Tree Tree 123 is a new ‘kindy supergroup’ of seven Kiwi kids musicians including Claudia Robin Gunn, Levity Beet, Kath Bee, Michal Bush and more.
The World’s Greatest Teddy Bear Hunt Book & Song angelstar.co.nz Chris Sanders and the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra take you on a journey around the neighbourhood to see how many bears you can find – and the odd penguin, elephant and robot, too. kiwikidsmusic.co.nz
