Two new picture books by New Zealand writers and illustrators

NZ Writer and Illustrator 

Susan Price, illustrated by Judith Trevelyan

The Viaduct Postcard

Millwood Heritage Productions, 2016    $19.99pb 32pp

ISBN 978 0 4733 6922 4

Themes: Cricket teams/ Edwardian Wellington/ Money problems/ Train trips/ Wellington Viaduct  

Jack (a very bossy older brother) and eight-year-old Bessie from Levin go to visit their aunt and uncle in Karori and see the magnificent structure of the Kelburn Viaduct on this way – by tram. The plot revolves around a missing jacket and a lucky postcard that was fortuitously left in its pocket. Judith Trevelyan’s water colour paintings bring to life the ‘trappings’ of the time  - the washbasin with real hot and cold taps/ the flushing lavatory/ the tearooms/ the clothes and of course The Viaduct. A replica of a real postcard of the times is tucked into the back flap of the book which it would seem a shame to use – unless you addressed it to yourself!! Useful as a local history resource with its pages of historical notes. Sadly because of some minor transport problems, I missed the launch of the book last night at Marsden Books in Karori – just around the corner from where the action in the story took place) 

 Year One up/ Age 5 up

Google the writer’s name for much interesting information about this Wellington historian and writer for whom this is her first children’s book- but hopefully not her last!

NZ Writer and Illustrator 

Sacha Cotter illustrated by Josh Morgan

The Marble Maker

Huia Publishers, 2016    $24.99pb 32pp

ISBN 978 1 7755 0224 1

Themes: Creativity/ Marbles

The world is full of the most wonderful marbles -  Cat’s eyes/ Froggies/ Blue Moons/ Specks and Swirls and Turtle Shells but the teller of this story (he could be a boy or she could be a girl) with help of his/her Side-Kick Sheep, Winston, is determined to invent a new marble altogether and have his/her name entered into The Book of Marbles. This is a really inventive story with matching images which would be great to read aloud to a class and it is also available in a Te Reo edition Te kaihanga māpere  ISBN 978 1 7755 0225 8

Year One up/ Age 5 up

Sacha Cotter is a teacher and writer. Her first picture book Keys/Nga Ki was a finalist in the picture book category (Keys) and the Maori Language Award (Nga Ki) of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2015, and Nga Ki won Te Tohu Taurapa Award in the LIANZA Children's Book Awards 2015 and was selected for the IBBY Honour List in 2016.

Source: Children’s Bookshop, Kilbirnie Webpage

Picture Books

PUBLISHED JULY 4th 2014

USA Writer  & Illustrator

Lynne Cox, illustrated by Brian Floca 

Elizabeth Queen of the Seas

Schwartz & Wade Books, New York    2014  $29.99hb  40pp

ISBN 978 0 3758 5888 8

Themes: Animal–human relationships/ Animals in the city/ Avon River Christchurch/ Elephant Seals  

Based on real events, this is the story of Elizabeth, a large and persistent elephant seal who, in spite of being towed out to sea several times for her own safety, preferred to live in the Avon River, Christchurch and to even venture onto the road where the warm bitumen was to her liking. Soft watercolour illustrations give a nostalgic memory of Christchurch as it once was. It is doubtful that the American writer and illustrator would recognise much of the place they portray so gently and which makes this an important book to share with children.

Year 1 up/ Age 5 up

Picture Books

USA Writer and UK Illustrator

Randi Zuckerberg, illustrated by Joe Berger

Dot.

Picture Corgi 2013  $19.99pb  32pp

ISBN 978 0 5525 7152 4

Themes:  Digital words

Dot is a bright little girl – you can tell just by looking at her picture on the cover – and she knows all about the digital world – tapping and tweeting, surfing and swiping and talking and talking and talking. Then Mum says ‘go outside Dot – time to Reboot! Recharge! Restart!’ and when Dot gets through the door she remembers there is another meaning to all the digital words but a place for them all in her modern world. This is a simply told story that makes its point in a cheerful and memorable way with easy text and really great images.

Year 1 up/ Age 5 up

Randi is an American business woman and  the former Director of Market Development and Spokeswoman for Facebook.  She is just 32 years old and this is her first picture book.

Joe Berger is a London based illustrator, filmmaker and Cartoonist. He is 12 years older than Randi. Google his name for details of the picture books he has illustrated.

Image of Randi from her website.