Book Recommendations for Gifts by Age Range

monkey on the run (c) Leo Timmers

We often get asked for recommendations for a particular age of a child so this month’s book list is by the Gecko Press team recommending our top picks from our shelves to help with your gift buying this season.

Rain like a thunderstorm — the My Happy Life series wraps up

All's Happy that Ends Happy spot art (c) Eva Eriksson

The My Happy Life chapter book series is one of the most acclaimed and loved we’ve published at Gecko Press. The books have attached themselves firmly to many of us working with them over the years, so as booksellers, publishers and designers, we asked ourselves what we’ve enjoyed most about My Happy Life.

Day in the life of Anete Melece

Anete Melece

Anete Melece is a Latvian author and illustrator. On Wednesday 23rd September she took over the Gecko Press Instagram account to share her journey of becoming a freelance illustrator, how she created The Kiosk, and what she is working on now.

Book list: Wordless picture books

Migrants

I’d like to share some of my favourite wordless or silent picturebooks in the hope that this will encourage you to become familiar with silent books and their particular gifts.

The Magic of Wordless Picture Books

Migrants

Wordless picture books can be magical. With no text pulling our eyes away, adults and children can explore the pictures together, and together tell the story.

Book list: Great graphic novels

Great graphic novels

This month’s book list has been put together by Monty Masseurs to celebrate the launch of Jonathan King’s first graphic novel for children, The Inkberg Enigma.

Book list: Stories that teach kindness

Book list: Stories that teach kindness

I am particularly fond of books which feature kind characters, especially when those books are for children and young people. Here are some that are new and some that have been part of my life for a long time.

Giselle Clarkson on illustrating The Gobbledegook Book

Giselle Clarkson

I’ve lived my whole life with Joy Cowley’s stories and was totally stunned when I was invited into the Gecko Press office and asked if I’d like to illustrate a collection of them. I felt pretty daunted, but also very excited and I couldn’t wait to start drawing.

The best books for young minds

Gecko Press square image from What Dog Knows, dog reading the paper in an orange armchair

Gecko Press, reading on devices, and the heart of children’s publishing. Read Julia’s whole interview from the Dominion Post here.