The NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are a unique celebration of the contribution New Zealand’s children’s authors and illustrators make to building national identity and cultural heritage.
Brown Bird Jane Arthur
Shortlisted for the Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction
Written and illustrated by Ruth Paul
Eleven-year-old Rebecca is a shy introvert, desperate to go unnoticed. All that changes when a new friend comes to stay for the summer. A gentle and poignant examination of finding friendship, family and the seldom-explored joys of being the quiet one. Each sentence is a poem in itself, thoughtful, resonant and artfully restrained.
Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat Li Chen
Shortlisted for the Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction
Written and illustrated by Li Chen
A crime-solving kitten, an elusive hat and a diamond heist oil the wheels of this adorable comic caper. Detective Beans is on the case, even if his mum does want him back by dinner time. Li Chen’s sweet graphic novella artfully blends humour and adventure in a twisty tale of an intrepid young gumshoe cat.
Dear Moko Dr Hinemoa Elder
Shortlisted for the Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction
Written by Hinemoa Elder (Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngati Kuri, Ngai Takoto, Ngapuhi nui tonu)
A stunning collection of whakatauki that explains their meanings and links them to everyday life. Speaking directly to readers with warmth and kindness, this pukapuka suggests ways of building connections and aroha and makes it clear that there are many ways to be Maori, while also being inclusive of readers of all backgrounds.
Te Kōkōrangi 2: Ariā Me te Atua o te Kūmara Witi Ihimaera, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Shortlisted for the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Awards for Te Reo Maori
Written by Witi Ihimaera (Te Whanau a Kai, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngati Porou), illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngati Kahungunu, Kai Tahu) and translated by Heni Jacob (Ngati Raukawa)
He korero whakaohooho tenei mo tetahi haerenga roa, uaua hoki no Aria me ona hoa ki te rangi, me kore noa e kitea e ratou he rongoa mo te kumara e mate haere nei, otira, mo te ao nui tonu. Ko te ahua, no tuawhakarere ra ano te korero nei, i penei ai i te rawe o ta Heni Jacobs whakamaori i a Witi Ihimaera kupu. E ronaki ana te rere o te reo, a, ko nga pikitia rerehua hoki hei kinaki.
An inspirational tale of a long and difficult journey to the sky by Aria and her friends, as they try to save the world’s dying kumara – and the world itself. Heni Jacobs’ excellent translation of Witi Ihimaera’s original words has the feel of a story from long ago. The reo flows easily, and is supported by the beautiful illustrations.
Ngā Kupenga a Nanny Rina Qiane Matata-Sipu, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Shortlisted for the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Awards for Te Reo Maori
Written by Qiane Matata-Sipu (Te Waiohua, Waikato, Ngapuhi, Ngati Pikiao, Cook Islands) and illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngati Kahungunu, Kai Tahu). (originally written in te reo Maori)
Ka whakaako a Nanny Rina i nga tikanga o te raranga ki tana mokopuna i tenei korero parekareka kua puta ake i te ao Maori tonu. He whakanui tenei whakaahuatanga i te pai o te mahi tahi a kuia me te mokopuna i te tukunga ihotanga o nga tikanga i tetahi whakatupuranga ki tetahi whakatupuranga i te whanau Maori.
Nanny Rina teaches the intricacies of weaving to her moko in a fun and enjoyable story that comes authentically from te ao Maori. The depiction of the wonderful way in which grandmother and grandchild work together is a celebration of the way tikanga is handed down from one generation to the next in whanau Maori.
The Witch of Maketu and the Bleating Lambs Anika Moa, Rebecca ter Borg
NZSA Best First Book Award
Written by Anika Moa (Ngapuhi, Te Aupouri) and illustrated by Rebecca ter Borg
A bleatingly brilliant picture book packed with classic Aotearoa humour, quirky charm, and a dash of evil. This laugh-out-loud adventure follows a sleep-deprived witch and her noisy, rebellious lambs, who are plotting their escape. Tamariki will giggle at the chaos and cheeky humour in this creepy, creative delight that is perfect for read-alouds.
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