Gecko Press website banner from Guji-guji, three eggs hatching


Recommended reads

Julia’s gift guide to make us laugh

When Dad's Hair Took Off vacuum cleaner

A bit of funny goes a long way. At Gecko Press we have a fondness for books that appeal to children with a dry sense of humour.

Today’s gift guide features books that bring smiles to our faces and a giggle or two from our bellies, whatever our age.

Emma’s gift guide for little books

Some books are a perfect fit for small hands. Today we’re sharing our gift guide featuring books that are small in size but big in story and imagination. Click on the covers to go straight to our online shop: or of course, visit your local bookshop. When you order you can add a note if… Read more »

Sarah’s gift guide for young animal lovers

Discover a selection of animal stories perfect for gift-giving this season.

Today we’re sharing our gift guide featuring some books that we think will please any animal-loving young reader.

Shona’s great read-alouds gift guide

It’s the perfect time of year to create magical memories of reading aloud together. Today we’re sharing our gift guide featuring some books that we think make great read-alouds. Click on the covers to go straight to our online shop: or of course, visit your local bookshop. When you order you can add a note… Read more »

Rachel’s gift guide for close observers

It’s a fun time of year to choose gifts for readers. Over the next three weeks, we are sharing our 2023 gift guide featuring some good books that we love.

Book list: Epic adventure stories

By Anna Hoek-Sims of UBS Otago, Emerging Bookseller of the Year 2023

Kia ora!

I’ve been an avid reader and a bookaholic from a very young age.

Book list: Puberty and bodies

Image of children lined up from Any Body

By Robyn Fausett, CEO at Nest Consulting.

Here follows a list of books by some of my favourite authors for both kids and parents who are navigating the wonderful world of puberty!

Librarian review: Detective Gordon – A Case with a Bang

Dear Detective Gordon, and bright, sweet Buffy, you will be sorely missed.

This fifth and final in the Detective Gordon series written by Ulf Nilsson and illustrated by Gitte Spee has recently been released by Gecko Press, and it is a real gem.

Book list: Creative and imaginative play

We asked Chandra Littlewood from Moriah Kindergarten in Wellington for a list of books she likes to recommend that foster imaginative and creative play for pre-school age children.

Book list: 10 good books translated from French

Inside the Villains wolf library (c) Clotilde Perrin

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 »