The Ten Best New Zealand Children’s Picture Books of 2013

 

The Ten Best New Zealand Children’s Picture Books of 2013

By Trevor Agnew

First published in Your Weekend magazine on Saturday 30 November  2013

 Ten Best Children’s Picture Books of 2013

Chosen by Trevor Agnew

 

All picture books are paperback, unless otherwise stated. They are ordered in (very) approximate reading age. Prices are in New Zealand dollars.

 

One Little Fantail  Anne Hunter, ill. Dave Gunson,

Scholastic, $19.50 

‘Busy, quizzy kea, two mischief mates at play, skippity-hop on the mountain top, rocking around all day.’ Hunter’s chirpy verse introduces native birds and their behaviour, while Gunson provides dramatic colour illustrations.  3-6

 

Toucan Can!  Juliette MacIver, ill. Sarah Davis, Gecko Press, hb, $34.99; pb, $19.99

‘He cancans on a fruit can.’ Littlies will love sharing the whimsical word play and bouncy rhythm as Toucan dances and sings, with the amazingly colourful menagerie created in Davis’s illustrations.  3-6

 

Henry’s Map  David Elliot, Random House, $19.99 

Henry, a fastidiously tidy piglet, draws a map of the deplorably untidy farm.  The other animals are impressed until a sheep bleats, ‘But we’re not there.’ Young readers will enjoy feeling smarter than Elliot’s panicked (and very skilfully illustrated) animals. 3-6

 

Alphabet Squabble  Isaac Drought, ill. Jenny Cooper,

Scholastic, $19.50 

Not all letters are equal in Alphabet Land. Letters like A and E are popular, while the X,Y and Z families feel discriminated against. Drought’s cheerful fable follows their quest for recognition.   Cooper’s droll illustrations match this witty tale of words at war. 6-8

 

Swim  Chris Szekely, ill. Andrew Burdan,

Huia, hb, $24. [Maori language version: Tahoe, $24]

Szekely’s sumptuous re-telling of the classic Maori love story emphasises Hinemoa’s part. With ‘the grace and soul of a heron,’ she pursues her forbidden love for Tutanekai. Burdan’s lush colour illustrations give verve to a familiar romance. 6-10

 

 

The Song of the Ship Rat  Ben Brown, ill. Helen Taylor, Scholastic, $19.50

Brown’s ballad tells of ‘a sea-worn ship rat,’ whose seafaring life culminates in a poignant return to old haunts in Lyttelton Harbour. The nostalgic mood is emphasised in Taylor’s elegant watercolour illustrations. 6-10

 

Luther and the Cloud-Makers  Kyle Mewburn, ill. Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson,

Scholastic, $19.50.

When his peaceful isolated village is menaced by dense smoke clouds, Luther ventures into the outside world to find the perpetrator. He soon finds many cloud-makers but can one boy make them change?  Mewburn’s parable and Anderson’s illustrations combine to create an eco-fable. 6-10

 

Hero of the Hill  Joy Cowley, ill. Philip Webb,

Scholastic, hb, $31

Cowley’s lively verse tale honours the Fell engines which hauled trains on the steep Rimutaka Incline for 77 years. Webb’s witty colour illustrations capture the feel of life in this unique railway community.  6-10

 

The Weather Machine Donovan Bixley,

Hachette NZ, $19.99

Look, no words. Bixley’s brilliantly imaginative pictures create a world with green skies and unpredictable weather. An inventor creates a magnificent machine that lets him choose the weather. Then a spanner in the works creates delightful chaos. All ages.

 

Puffin New Zealand Children’s Treasury  Puffin NZ, $45.

This collection is a genuine treasure, with ten classic Kiwi picture books – that’s  $4.50 per book – providing an overview of New Zealand children’s illustrated stories from My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes to A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree. All ages.

 

Trevor Agnew

Christchurch, New Zealand

Christmas Picture Books

Christmas Picture Books for Young Readers:

A Kiwi Jingle Bells Yvonne Morrison, ill. Deborah Hinde, Scholastic, 30pp, board book, NZ$13.50

My Alfie Collection Shirley Hughes, Bodley Head/Random House, boxed set of four hbs, NZ$19.99

Marmaduke Duck and Bernadette Bear Juliette McIver & Sarah Davis, Scholastic, 32 pp, pb, $NZ19.50

Baa Baa Smart Sheep Mark Sommerset, ill. Rowan Sommerset, Dreamboat Books, , 24 pp, hb, $29.99

All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth by Don Gardner, ill. Katz Cowley, CD by Craig Smith, 24 pages, pb, NZ $26 [inc. CD]

Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig and the Christmas Baby by Diana Neild, ill. Philip Webb, Scholastic, 32pp, pb, NZ$19.50

Kiwi Corkers: The Elves and the Cloakmaker by Chris Gurney, ill. John Bennett, Scholastic, 24 pp, hb, NZ$18.50



I have always argued that books make the best Christmas present because they are easy to wrap. (A cynic would say it’s because they are easy to exchange.) The best books for Christmas giving are ones that will be read and treasured; kept and enjoyed down the generations.

Each of this month’s volumes is a treasure, ideal for Christmas purchase by parents or grandparents, who will then have the added pleasure of sharing in their gift’s enjoyment. Reading aloud is not only desirable; at this season it is compulsory.

A Kiwi Jingle Bells has been re-issued as a board book, to give babies something to get their teeth into over Christmas. Yvonne Morrison has converted James Pierpont’s much-loved song into a celebration of the Kiwi Christmas holiday while Deborah Hinde provides pictures of camping holidays, family picnics and beach barbecues. Baby won’t be able to read the words, which will give the whole family an excuse to sing:
“Christmas in New Zealand on a sunny summer’s day, ay.”

Shirley Hughes not only paints pictures of children who look like real children – wispy hair, rumpled clothes and a tendency towards chaos – but she also writes stories about children who behave like real children. Her four Alfie picture books – now brought together in a boxed set as My Alfie Collection – follow the adventures of a very recognisable three-year old. Alfie is the one who puts his new boots on the wrong feet, takes his security blanket to a friend’s birthday party and knows why his baby sister is crying. Best of all – in the classic Alfie Gets in First – it is irrepressible Alfie who gets locked on the wrong side of the front door, with everyone else locked out. These four warm, funny books may be 30 years old but Alfie’s exploits, and the emotions they generate, are as up-to-date as a new child. This is a set to treasure.

The most dramatic scene in Marmaduke Duck and Bernadette Bear shows an enraged bull rampaging in a honey shop. In the Marmaduke Duck picture book series, Sarah Davis has shown that she can paint any animal but she has never done better than her illustrations of the heart-broken Bernadette Bear looking at her smashed honey jars. (A Christchurch artist, Davis has dedicated this book to the memory of Johnson Brothers’ grocery shop in Colombo St – a quake victim.) Fortunately Marmaduke Duck is not only skilled at making marmalade but also at repairing friendships and restoring business confidence. Juliette MacIver’s cheerful rhymes and bouncy rhythms keep the sticky story light-hearted, making this a perfect book to read aloud.

Everyone should own an improper book, and Baa Baa Smart Sheep is a gleefully improper fable that won the Children’s Choice at the NZ Post Children’s Book Awards. Mark Sommerset’s picture book about a shrewd sheep and a gullible turkey has a cover warning: ‘Contains Mischief.’

Adults of a certain age will flinch at the memory of sentimental recordings of All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth but fear not. Craig ‘Wonky Donkey’ Smith has recorded an unsentimental version of Don Gardner’s lyrics that children can sing along to. There is also a monkey version, with ‘ook-ook’ sounds replacing the lyrics. This CD ties in nicely to the accompanying picture book, in which Katz Cowley has created the world’s cutest monkey - minus, of course, its two front incisors. Young readers will enjoy joining the Tooth Police in their search for the missing choppers and sharing in the happy ending of the final picture. Craig’s CD also includes a lively performance of Craig’s own dental-care ballad, Toothless, with its unforgettable lyrics: ‘It’s good to brush your teeth; it’s bad to shave your cat.’ Percussion by Craig’s teeth.

Picture books have two ways of approaching Christmas; one is to treat it as a secular festival, the other is to acknowledge its Christian significance (like Piggitty below). Lindy Kelly’s Christmas in the Bush follows the former template. Like so many children, Josh has parents who have separated. Spending Christmas with Dad on his back-country farm worries Josh; there is no sign of presents or Santa, and Dad keeps handing out tasks. Then, while he’s picking peaches, Josh spots a note, ‘If of surprises you are fond, you will find one in the pond.’ A series of notes take Josh into the bush, gathering little gifts – barley sugar, pocket knife, compass – until finally he discovers that his father has arranged the perfect Christmas present. This is a delightful story where Josh’s tensions are built up then quietly released as he realises just how much his father loves him. Lyn Kriegler’s illustrations of the bush setting have never been more brilliantly coloured.

Diana Nield’s bouncy verse tales of the Jig pig family from Karori have become an annual event; her sense of rhythm makes them a delight to read aloud. The fifth instalment, Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig and the Christmas Baby, has the family staging a Christmas nativity play. Bossy sister Emma is the director and young Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity is naïve enough to believe her promise of acting glory:
‘“Piggity, you have the leadity-role!”
She announced in a manner exuding control.’
Dreaming of being a prince or a pirate, Piggity is appalled to find that as baby Jesus, he will be wrapped in swaddling clothes and stuffed into his old baby cot (with holes drilled in the footboard for his hocks). Theatrical disasters, familiar to directors of nativity plays, ensue but – since this is Christmas – there’s a happy ending, captured in Philip Webb’s splendid water colour illustrations.
‘Then accolades poured with a standing ovation
For nine special pigs, and their fine adaptation.’

There are now 12 titles in the Kiwi Corker series of re-told classics, with their popular motto of ‘Hardbacks at paperback prices.’ Chris Gurney has re-cast the Brothers Grimm tale of the poor cobbler as The Elves and the Cloakmaker, as a New Zealand tale told in verse tale. A pair of over-worked Maori cloak-weavers is visited late at night by a helpful band of patupaiarehe – the fairy folk of Maori legend – who finish some incomplete cloaks, ‘weaving in feathers of red, green and blue.’ John Bennett’s colourful illustrations match the fun and help give a modern twist to the old tale. Finally the happy (and now prosperous) couple reciprocate with gifts of tiny clothes.
‘Gifts were given, good deeds done.

Merry Christmas, everyone!’

- Trevor Agnew, Nov 2011


[This review was first published in The Press, Christchurch for Christmas 2011.]

FULL PUBLISHING DETAILS:

A Kiwi Jingle Bells Yvonne Morrison, ill. Deborah Hinde, Scholastic, 30pp, board book, NZ$13.50
ISBN 978-1-77543-045-2

My Alfie Collection Shirley Hughes, Bodley Head/Random House, boxed set of four hbs, NZ$19.99
ISBN 978-0-370-33209-3

Marmaduke Duck and Bernadette Bear Juliette McIver & Sarah Davis, Scholastic, 32 pp, pb, $NZ19.50
ISBN 978-1-77543-033-9

Baa Baa Smart Sheep Mark Sommerset, ill. Rowan Sommerset, Dreamboat Books, PO Box 700, Onerua, Waiheke Island, 24 pp, hb, $29.99
ISBN 978-9864668-1-6

All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth, by Don Gardner, ill. Katz Cowley, CD by Craig Smith, 24 pages, pb, NZ $26 [inc. CD]
ISBN 978-1-77543-058-2

Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig and the Christmas Baby, by Diana Neild, ill. Philip Webb, Scholastic, 32pp, pb, NZ$19.50
ISBN 978-1-77543-038-4

Kiwi Corkers: The Elves and the Cloakmaker, by Chris Gurney, ill. John Bennett, Scholastic, 24 pp, hb, NZ$18.50
ISBN 978-1-77543-004-9

Canterbury Picture Books

The Little Penguin Who Wouldn’t Eat His Dinner Jane Buxton, ill. Philip Webb, Reed, 25 pages, paperback, NZ$14.99. ISBN 1-86948-596-3

The Penguin Who Wanted to Fly Ben Brown, ill. Helen Taylor, Reed, 32 pages, paperback, NZ$16.99. ISBN 1-86948-406-1

No Ordinary Flowergirl Marlene J. Bennetts, ill. Trish Bowles, Reed, 28 pages, paperback, NZ $16.99. ISBN 1-86948-432-0.

Kiwi Kicks for Goal, Kiwi and the New Player John Lockyer, ill. Bob Darroch, Hodder Moa/Hachette, 32 pages, paperback, NZ$17.99 each.
ISBN 1-86971-079-7, ISBN 1-86971-080-0

Canterbury Picture Books

Later generations will look back on the early years of this century as a golden age of children’s books, especially picture books. Interestingly each of these five New Zealand picture books has a Canterbury artist or author. Each of them is a book to be proud of.

In 1993, Ben Brown and Helen Taylor of Lyttelton created The Penguin Who Wanted to Fly, first as a comic-style picture book and then as a popular play. Now with its text lightly polished and handsome new realistic illustrations, the plucky little Adelie penguin with high ambitions, is presented to a new generation. “I’ll try and I’ll fly,” he says as he climbs progressively higher up the rocks and icebergs. “Good grief, what a drop!” While he never succeeds in flying, the penguin makes an amazing discovery, which will bring joy to young readers. Helen Taylor’s watercolours are a superb match to her husband’s amusing text, making this book an exemplar of design and typography.

John Lockyer’s Kiwi is a keen junior football player, who learns a lot as he prepares for play with the black-clad Pipis team (which includes Weta, Koura and Kiore). In Kiwi Kicks for Goal, he is able to overcome his own nervousness about kicking when he has to help Pukeko kick. In Kiwi and the New Player, Kiwi has to deal with his own prejudices when Hawk joins the team. “He had heard about hawks too…They were fierce and impatient…Hawks were scary.” Kiwi soon learns that Hawk has great tackling skills but is shy. Bob Darroch of Waimate has created the best pictures of his illustrating career for these two lively books, which will be treasured for their simple stories, positive messages and remarkable cartoon illustrations of animal football encounters.

“Fish is boring,” said Paru, “I want something different.” The title outlines the basic story of The Little Penguin Who Wouldn’t Eat His Dinner. Young readers will soon see interesting parallels as Paru, the yellow-eyed penguin, decides he doesn’t like fish and begins an amusing survey of other possibilities. Inspired by the fantails and pigeons, he tries insects and berries. “But, oh no! They tasted terrible.” Jane Buxton of Rangiora has created a witty text, nicely matched by Philip Webb’s, handsome colour illustrations, which shows how Paru learns which food is best for him, and saves his father as well.

Christchurch writer, Marlene J. Bennetts has captured a grim moment in a young girl’s life – the beautiful apricot-coloured, net and lace dress, which Kyra was to wear at Aunt Rene’s wedding, has been left at home – and from it has created an inspiring and cheerful story, No Ordinary Flowergirl. Since Kyra lives in Brisbane, this elegant picture book also provides a simple, unforced introduction to some Maori customs and traditions. Trish Bowles’ skilful illustrations capture all the excitement of the wedding at the marae, and the pleasure Kyra finds in her unexpected new role.

These books are a useful reminder that it’s not too early to buy good Christmas presents.

Trevor Agnew

This review first appeared in The Press, Christchurch on 18th November 2006.

Scruffty Mouse and One-Eyed Ted, Penney Wech, Philip Webb, 2005

Five New Zealand Picture Books for Young Readers

SCRUFFTY MOUSE AND ONE-EYED TED, Penney Wech, ill. Philip Webb, Reed, Auckland, New Zealand, 2005 , 28 pp, Pb, NZ$14.99 ISBN 1-86948-581-5

THE REALLY STICKY GRUBBY LOLLY, Yvonne Marie Dudman, ill. Ross Kinnaird, Reed, Auckland, New Zealand, 2005, 25 pages, paperback, NZ$14.99 ISBN 1-86948-580-7

PANKI IN THE LAND OF THE KIWI, Amy Lam, Reed, Auckland, New Zealand, 2005, 24 pages, paperback, NZ$14.99 ISBN 1-86948-585-8

BABY COW POWER, Kim Riley, ill. Deb Hinde, Random House, Auckland, New Zealand, 2005, 24pp, paperback, NZ$19.95 ISBN 1-86941-723-2

WHERE’S THE GOLD? Pamela Allen, Penguin/Viking, Auckland, New Zealand, 2005, 30pp, hardback, NZ$25 ISBN 0-670-02844-4

Picture books are presents that last a lifetime, and parents have a wide range to choose from. Here are five good New Zealand titles:

Amy Lam is a New Zealand artist who uses her Chinese heritage to create a magnificent parable, Panki in the Land of the Kiwi, about a panda who emigrates. Inspired by reading about Kiwiland, Panki the panda leaves his crowded city (where all the houses are panda-shaped) and arrives in Kiwiland wearing a marvellous home-made kiwi suit as a symbol of his willingness to fit in. At first Panki has difficulty meeting a kiwi, because of a small failure in his research. When does a kiwi sleep? Then a voice in the darkness says, “Kia ora”, and Panki finds the acceptance he seeks.
Lam’s pictures are as charming as her story.

Baby Cow Power is Kim Riley’s sequel to her Cow Power (2004) about Cow 569, which famously helped tow her from the Manawatu floods. Now Cow 569 has given birth to a bull calf and Baby Cow Power tells how this calf’s special status brings it an unusual name – Tuggy’s Buoy – strong public interest and a remarkable destination. Deb Hinde’s illustrations create a cheerfully unromanticised farm setting, with electric fences, muddy ditches, ear tags and a wind-farm on the skyline. Those who look carefully at the pictures will see what the cattle are saying.

The Really Sticky Grubby Lolly is Yvonne Marie Dudman’s story of a little girl’s busy week. On Monday she gets the lolly for being good but then things go amusingly wrong. For readers, the delight comes from comparing the girl’s version of events with Ross Kinnaird’s colourful cartoon-style illustrations. “On Thursday I put Mum’s car keys in a really special place so my brother wouldn’t break them,” becomes much more interesting when we see the keys being popped into a drain! And the lolly? Let’s just say it turns out to be an all-week sucker.

In Scruffty Mouse and One-eyed Ted, Penney Wech follows the fate of worn-out toys. In the 50 cent toy bin at the Op-Shop are a battered teddy bear and a damaged mouse. Both have been deeply loved ‘but not any more’. Then Michael arrives on his first shopping trip with a dollar to spend. What follows is heart-warming and funny, as Michael’s mother helps him to refurbish Scruffty Mouse, and provide a new eye for Ted. The lovely illustrations by Philip Webb – an unsung hero of the children’s book world – reinforce the message about the joy of a comforting cuddle with a beloved old toy.

The best of this handsome bunch is Where’s the Gold? Pamela Allen uses vivid verse and happy repetitions to tell the story of three young, gold-seeking pirates. ‘and there they found a big deep hole in the ground.’ Allen’s delightful pictures show the three tip-toeing nervously down a dark tunnel, through streams and over the boulders: ‘clawing and clutching, they clambered.’ The alliteration, parrot noises and repetition make this a delightful book to read aloud and share with young readers, especially when the panicked pirates make a hasty retreat. Several more surprises are included in this book’s construction, ensuring that the plucky trio do, indeed, discover gold.

Trevor Agnew

First published in The Press, Christchurch, New Zealand, on January 7th 2006.