Gecko Press Blog

Look – A Tummy Time Book by Gavin Bishop has been selected for the dPictus 100 Outstanding Picturebooks 2023.

What were the challenges of the translation process? I am really enthusiastic about the translation and even find the story funnier in English. Some of the punchlines work better because the sentences are shorter in English.

Written by Julia Marshall, founder of Gecko Press.

We are celebrating the life of Wolf Erlbruch, who died this week aged 75.

Duck, Death and the Tulip is a pivotal book for Gecko Press, one of the books I am most proud to have on our list.

By Rachel Lawson, Publisher at Gecko Press.

Every book is a careful process of translation, editing, design, layout, proofreading and printing — with small and big decisions from all of those involved and at every stage that change how the book will be for its readers. Here are ten decisions that I’ll remember from the year we’ve had.

Louise Cambau, South Ken Kids Festival curator I have been curating the South Ken Kids Festival for the past 6 years. This is a Franco-British children’s book festival organised yearly at the Institut Français in London, celebrating 25 years in 2022, under Sir Quentin Blake’s patronage. Amongst other things, the Institut organises literary events throughout… Read more »

What led you to create Simon’s world? Once I had Simon, everything clicked, and I was no longer working with the abstract idea of writing a book or making beautiful images. Books became my second language and Simon an extension of myself. I had a new freedom to play with words and images. I allowed myself to write the way I wanted to.

For the release of Gotcha!, Clotilde Perrin took over our Instagram for a look inside her studio and at her work in progress. She shared images and video of original artworks and a bookcase bursting with books about monsters and fairy tales.

To help you find an extra special book this Christmas, we have matched some  children to some particular Gecko Press books, including some guaranteed-to-please favourites.

Free comprehensive teacher notes for Years 1 to 10 available for download.

These teacher notes are based on the new Aotearoa New Zealand Histories curriculum being implemented in 2023 and written by Defyd Williams, who was part of the Ministry of Education reference group for the curriculum.

Juliette MacIver is a picture-book writer and mother of four, who lives in Wellington, New Zealand.
What is the origin of the Grizzled Grist story? A good friend of mine asked his nine-year-old son, Jonny, what he would like to be a master of—the best in the world!