Gecko Press sadly informs our readers that Ulf Nilsson, the much-loved author of Detective Gordon, died in Sweden on 22 September at the age of 73.
Welcome to a combobulation of articles from our favourite thinkers, stories from behind the scenes, lists of good books, Gecko Press news and things that amuse us from time to time.
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The books that raised me: Bookshop Day edition
Early October brings Bookshop Days so we asked booksellers around Aotearoa to share a book that was special to them growing up, a book that raised them. Sometimes, when you’re surrounded by so many good books, it’s hard to pick just one. Jenna at Time Out, Auckland Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak… Read more »
Book list: Good books in te reo Māori
In honour of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we want to celebrate the increasing number of books being published in te reo Māori.
In the Forbidden Forest with Ole Könnecke
For the release his book Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest, Ole took over the Gecko Press Instagram account to show behind the scenes of creating the story.
The books that raised me: Emma McIlroy
I have always loved reading, to the point where as soon as I could read by myself, I would read anything I could find, including encyclopaedias cover to cover.
Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest: Q&A with Ole Könnecke
My previous book in Germany was a Western with a boy as the main character, so this time I wanted simply to tell an exciting story centred on a girl.
Koro/Pops and Mihi: Q&A with Gavin Bishop
In their own way these ‘little’ books are as challenging as the much bigger books I’ve been doing in recent years. They don’t take as long because they don’t
Being translated: both terrifying and relaxing
For Women in Translation month we asked Swedish writer Frida Nilsson about the translation process. Nilsson’s new book released in English is Hattie and Olaf, one of over a dozen novels she has written for children which have been published around the world. The Ice Sea Pirates, her most translated book, is available in 20… Read more »
Book list featuring single fathers
With the approach of Father’s Day and this month’s release of Seahorses Are Sold Out, featuring the best dad-hair Gecko Press has published, we asked Helen Wadsworth from Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop in Auckland to tell us what books about single fathers she enjoys recommending to customers. Picture books Just Because… Read more »
The Tiny Woman’s Coat: Q&A with Joy Cowley
Joy Cowley is one of New Zealand’s best-loved writers for children and adults, with an international reputation. She has won a multitude of awards and honours for her bestselling books, including the Prime Minister’s Award for contribution to literature. She was shortlisted for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2018. What… Read more »
