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Recommended reads

Book list: Fairy tales reimagined

Inside the Villains wolf library (c) Clotilde Perrin

By Rachel Lawson, publisher-at-large The phrase “fractured fairy tale” took a while to permeate the Gecko Press lexicon. Possibly because we saw most of these books first as funny stories. It turns out we’ve made a number of fairy tales with a difference over the years. They have familiar characters and a story structure we… Read more »

Book list: The death of a bird in four picture books

by rachel lawson, publisher-at-large One of the best books we’ve published at Gecko Press is  All the Dear Little Animals by Ulf Nilsson and Eva Eriksson. Three children start a funeral business to bury the dead animals they find in their neighbourhood. This book takes me instantly to my own childhood garden and to important… Read more »

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.