Gecko Press Blog

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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2019 Storylines Notable List Winners

The Mapmakers’ Race, Cook’s Cook and Oink have been selected for the 2019 Storylines Notable Books List. The awards ceremony was in Auckland yesterday. Congratulations to Eirlys Hunter, Gavin Bishop and David Elliot. You can view the entire list here.  

Harsu & the Werestoat: Q&A with Barbara Else

Harsu and the Wherestoat. A Children's novel by Barbara Else. Published by Gecko Press

In the ancient story of Beowulf, the hero kills a dreadful monster then discovers that the monster’s mother is a thousand times worse. I’ve often thought, if his mother was so terrible, what chance did the poor monster ever have to grow up normal and nice? My own story became one of a boy who manages to choose the right way to live.

Oink – The New York Times Review

Oink by David Elliot. best books for Children. Funny children's book about a bath.

The delicacy and subtlety of the art only adds to the frisky humor.

8 books about grannies from booksellers (plus one encyclopedia)

Encyclopedia of Grannies by Eric Veillé. A book for kids published by Gecko Press

This month we release Eric Veillé’s Encyclopedia of Grannies, a book that recognises that grannies come in all shapes and varieties and celebrates them all. Every page brings something unexpected: granny yoga positions, playing hide and seek at granny’s place, how to cheer up a sad granny, knitting ideas, hairdos, staying up late to view… Read more »

Curiously Good Event: Snake and Lizard by APO

Gecko Press and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra invite you to join APO 4 Kids Storytime fun-filled concert for pre-schoolers and families and celebrate storytelling together.

Passion and craft in children’s book publishing, or: the hard craft of a good book

In a picture book, every word must earn its place, humming in tune with the pictures, setting up a much bigger hum, that has children and adults looking, returning, over and over.

French Language Day at Gecko Press

My Pictures After The Storm, Childrens book New Zealand

It’s French Language Day, a good day to share the books Gecko Press has translated from French and to acknowledge our French translators, who work hard to make every word perfect. This is a particular challenge with books using word play or rhymes like the pun-filled My Pictures after the Storm by Eric Veille and… Read more »

Celebrate the release of Harsu & the Werestoat by Barbara Else in Wellington and Dunedin

Harsu and the Wherestoat. A Children's novel by Barbara Else. Published by Gecko Press

In Harsu and the Werestoat Barbara has created an ambitious, original time-shifting world, built on humour, character, and drama – underpinned by a deep and ancient sense of morality.

The Runaways – Booklist Starred Review

The Runaways by Ulf Stark. A children's novel by Gecko Press

The Runaways has received another starred review, this time from Booklist.

I Am So Clever – Booklist Starred Review

I Am So Clever has received a starred review from Booklist.

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