Kiwi Kids Book Chat

Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins.

In our monthly podcast, we are committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon.

This week we are chatting about the amazing work of Jennifer Beck.

Books highlighted in the episode:

A Present From the Past

Gypsy Day on the Farm

My Mum is Queen of the Road

Nobody's Dog

Remember that November

Stefania's Dancing Slippers

The Bantam and the Soldier

The Anzac Violin

Torty and the Soldier

Whetu, the Little Blue Duck

Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins.

In our monthly podcast, we are committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon.

This week we are chatting about many of the 2025 NZ Book Award finalists (minus the Junior Fiction, which feature in Episode 6.)

Books highlighted in the episode:

Beddy Bye Time in the Kōwhai Tree by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Lily Uivel

Mataali’i by Dahlia Malaeulu, illustrated by Darcy Solia

Ten Nosey Weka by Kate Preece, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Titiro Look by Gavin Bishop

You Can’t Pat a Fish by Ruth PaulBear by Kiri Lightfoot, illustrated by Pippa Keel Situ

Gracehopper by Mandy Hager

Migration by Steph Matuku

The Mess of Our Lives by Mary-Anne Scott

The Paradise Generation by Sanna Thompson

Black Magic by David Riley, illustrated by Munro Te Whata Dear Moko: Māori Wisdom for our Young Ones by Hinemoa Elder

Ruru: Night Hunter by Katie Furze, illustrated by Ned Barraud

The Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi by Ross Calman

Tui Pea Luva by Mele Tonga Grant, illustrated by Luca Walton

Alice and the Strange Bird by Isaac du Toit

Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro, illustrated by Rehua Wilson written by Elizabeth  Gray

Poem for Ataahua, illustrated by Sarah Wilkins, written by Alistair Te Ariki Campbell

Sad Sushi, Anna Aldridge

Brave Kāhu and the Pōrangi Magpie by Shelley Burne-Field Play Wild by Rachel Clare

The Witch of Maketu and the Bleating Lambs by Anika Moa, illustrated by Rebecca ter Borg

The Writing Desk by Di Morris

Check out ⁠this⁠ The Spinoff podcast episode which gives a good overview of all the Book Award finalists.

Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins.

In our monthly podcast, we are committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon.

This week were deep diving into the five finalists in the NZ Book Award Junior Fiction category. (And it does actually sound like we are diving... one day we will get the sound right!!)

Four of our Kids Lit Quiz kids have reviewed the books and it is these wise words which you will be hearing today.

Books highlighted in the episode:

The Raven's Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey

The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble

Brown Bird by Jane Arthur

Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat by Li Chen

Violet and the Velvets : the Case of the Missing Stuff by Rachael King

Check out this The Spinoff podcast episode which gives a good overview of all the Book Award finalists.

Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins.

In our monthly podcast, we are committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon.

We do need to apologise (again!) for the quality of the sound recording... we were super keen to get another episode out into the world after a bit of a break, BUT we had some internet issues in our usual recording space so had to record in a larger room than usual... resulting in some echo!

This week we celebrate everything Maria Gill.

Books highlighted in the episode:

Anzac Animals by Maria Gill and Marco Ivancic

Remarkable Animal Stories by Maria Gill

Call of the Kokako by Maria Gill and Heather Arnold

Toroa’s Journey by Maria Gill and Gavin Mouldey

NZ Endangered Dolphins by Maria Gill

Anzac Heroes by Maria Gill and Marco Ivancic

Last of Maui's Dolphins by Maria Gill and Bruce Potter

Kate Sheppard by Maria Gill and Marco Ivancic

King’s Medal by Maria Gill and Alistair Hughes

Ernest Rutherford by Maria Gill and Alistair Hughes

Abel Tasman by Maria Gill and Marco Ivancic

Epic NZ Adventurers by Maria Gill

Ice Breaker! by Maria Gill and Alistair Hughes

NZ Disasters by Maria Gill and Marco Ivancic

Earthquakes by Maria Gill

Volcanoes by Maria Gill

Eruption by Maria Gill

Rangitoto by Maria Gill

Maria Gill's website

Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins.

As we head into 2025, refreshed and ready to rock and roll, we have decided to change the podcast to a monthly affair, rather than fortnightly, as our school embarks on a number of big changes.

We are still committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon.

This week we celebrate a few new kiwi titles which you might want to check out!

Books highlighted in the episode:The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra by Donovan Bixley

Kia Ora Baby by Donovan Bixley

Kia Ora Pepe by Donovan Bixley

The Raven's Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey

Charlie Tangaroa and the God of War by T.K. Roxborogh

Bear by Kiri Lightfoot

Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins.

As we head into 2025, refreshed and ready to rock and roll, we have decided to change the podcast to a monthly affair, rather than fortnightly, as our school embarks on a number of big changes.

We are still committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon.

This week we celebrate the remarkable body of work by Ned Barraud - conservationist and lover of animals.

Books highlighted in the episode, in no particular order whatsoever:

Under the Ocean by Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler

In the Garden by Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler

In the Bush by Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler

Up the River by Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler

At the Beach by Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler

Where is it? by Ned Barraud

Where is it in town? by Ned Barraud

Tuatara by Katie Furze & Ned Barraud

Ruru Night Hunter by Katie Furze & Ned Barraud

Incredible Journeys by Ned Barraud

Backyard Birds by Ned Barraud

What Happened to the Moa by Ned Barraud

NZ's Backyard Beasts by Ned Barraud

Tohora by Ned Barraud

Wild Coasts by Ned Barraud

Animals of Aotearoa by Gillian Candler & Ned Barraud

Tasting with your Feet by Ned Barraud

Click HERE for the link to the NZ Life and Leisure article and interview with Ned Barraud.

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Follow our library (not exclusively kiwi kids literature):

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Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins.

As we head into 2025, refreshed and ready to rock and roll, we have decided to change the podcast to a monthly affair, rather than fortnightly, as our school embarks on a number of big changes.

We are still committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon.

This week we celebrate the amazingness that is Storylines and do a bit of a deep dive into the Non Fiction Notable Books of 2024.

Books highlighted in the episode, in no particular order whatsoever:

Dear Moko by Dr Hinemoa Elder

Piki Te Ora by Hira Nathan & Jessie Eyre

Kiwi Bees Have Tiny Knees by Rachel Weston

He Puka Ngohe Activity Book by Kat Quin

The Beach Activity Book by Rachel Haydon

Play Wild. Nature Craft Projects for Tamariki by Rachel Clare

Tasting With Your Feet by Ned Barraud

My Matariki Colouring and Activity Book by Dr Rangi Matamua & Miriama Kano

Mawson in Antarctica by Anna Grochowicz

Follow the KKBC on Facebook:

@kiwikidsbookchat

Follow our library (not exclusively kiwi kids literature):

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @southwellibrary

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SouthwellLibrary

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://southwelllibrary.blogspot.com/

Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins.

As we head into 2025, refreshed and ready to rock and roll, we have decided to change the podcast to a monthly affair, rather than fortnightly, as our school embarks on a number of big changes.

We are still committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon.

This week is a true Work of Waffle as we wax lyrical about our Top 20 (ish) New Zealand books which WE think children should read before high school! It is a real conversation, full of ums, ahhs and meanderings!!!

Books highlighted in the episode, in no particular order whatsoever:

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd

Dazzlehands by Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan

The Tomo by Mary Anne Scott

From the Cutting Room Floor of Barney Kettle by Kate De Goldi

Uncle Jack by Kate De Goldi

Wildlife of Aotearoa by Gavin Bishop

The Last Tuatara by Des Hunt

Monkey Boy by Donovan Bixley

Under the Mountain by Maurice Gee

I Am Not Esther by Fleur Beale

Samples From the Lab by Rob Foote

Kowhai and the Giants by Kate Parker

This is where I stand by Philippa Werry

Ultrawild by Stephen Mushin

Katipo Joe by Brian Falkner

Mophead by Selina Tusitala Marsh

The Princess and the Foal by Stacy Gregg

Greedy Cat by Joy Cowley

My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes by Eve Sutton

Te Reo Singalong books by Sharon Holt

The Little Yellow Digger by Betty and Alan Gilderdale

Baa Baa Smart Sheep by Mark and Rowan Sommerset

First to the Top (and others from David Hill & Phoebe Morris Famous New Zealanders series) 

The Call of the Kokako by Maria Gill

Incredible Journeys by Ned Barraud

Remember that November by Jennifer Beck and Lindy Fisher

@kiwikidsbookchat

Follow our library (not exclusively kiwi kids literature):

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @southwellibrary

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SouthwellLibrary

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://southwelllibrary.blogspot.com/

Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins.

This week is a wrap up of some of our favourite books of the year! See if you agree...

@kiwikidsbookchat

Follow our library (not exclusively kiwi kids literature):

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @southwellibrary

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SouthwellLibrary

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://southwelllibrary.blogspot.com/

Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins.

This week we check out the books which feature NZs great outdoors! We realised early on that this needed to be split into two episodes, so this one features some fabulous fiction. Look out for an episode featuring some just as fabulous non-fiction.

Apologies for some shimmying at the end - we talk about doing episodes about Christmas buying... but by the time you here THIS you will have heard THAT!!!

Books highlighted in the episode:

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Spearo by Mary Anne Scott

The Tomo by Mary Anne Scott

Sticking With Pigs by Mary Anne Scott

Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump

Mad Men of the Mountains by Big Al Lester

Footrot Flats by Murray Ball

Wildboy by Brando Yelovich

Wildboy (picture book) by Brando Yelovich

Epic Adventures across Aotearoa! by Ray Salisbury

@kiwikidsbookchat

Follow our library (not exclusively kiwi kids literature):

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @southwellibrary

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SouthwellLibrary

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://southwelllibrary.blogspot.com/