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Recommended reads

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 »

Gecko Press Gift Guide: Match a book to a child

Christmas tree

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.

Book list: Books for children who love drama and theatre

Nathan Luff

BY NATHAN LUFF, MANAGER OF CHILDREN’S AND YA PROGRAMME, SYDNEY WRITER’S FESTIVAL, AUSTRALIA

We asked Nathan Luff for a list of books he likes to recommend that feature theatrical content. As well as being a published children’s book author, Nathan also works part time as a teacher specialising in creative writing and performing arts.

The books that raised me: Bookshop Day 2022 edition

This Bookshop Day, we’re celebrating booksellers around Aotearoa by asking some to share a book that was special to them growing up, a book that raised them. How do you pick just one when you’re surrounded by a treasure trove!