Children’s books
If you’re exploring by motorhome or caravan, one of the best ways to keep youngsters entertained is with interactive books. Practice reading, rhyming, learning, and a host of other skills with these new delights below.
Kelly Lee and Amy Calcutti
Exisle Publishing
$29.99
Behind the fun world where the days of the week come to life is an underlying message around acceptance and self-confidence. It’s also about the impact of people’s perception of themselves. Cleverly written as a fun read for youngsters to enjoy the vibrant illustrations and light-hearted humour, it’s a lovely choice to share for reading time.
Where is Hairy Maclary? A Lift-the-flap book
Lynley Dodd
Picture Puffin
$19.99
Twice as much engagement and fun with this lift-the-flap book featuring all of the Hairy Maclary gang. Have you seen Hairy Maclary? Where is he hiding? Lift the flaps to see if you can spot the raggedy rascal. Is he having a scratch in the strawberry patch? No, that’s Bitzer Maloney. Is he taking a bath at the side of the path? No, that’s Muffin McLay. Babies and toddlers will have loads of fun spotting the clues in the illustrations and lifting the flaps to discover beloved characters.
Kate Preece, illustrated by
Pippa Ensor
Bateman Books
$24.99
The perfect book for any nature-loving youngster, with beguiling realistic illustrations and rhyming text that can be enjoyed by readers older and younger than the target audience of ages 5–8 years. As insects and bugs play a (Chatham) Island-wide game of hide and seek, children can discover the delights of numerous rare New Zealand insects and learn more about their unique features and habitat. It’s sure to inspire outdoor adventures for some insect searching of their own.
Emma Vere-Jones, illustrations by Lisa Allen
Bateman Books
$21.99
A distinctly Kiwi story that captures the joy of summer in New Zealand. The tale follows headstrong Luella who insists on wearing her woollies and uggs to the family beach outing – and doing things her way. A fun read with catchy rhyming verses and enjoyable illustrations, it’s sure to be a hit for repeat bedtime reads. Ages 2–6 years.
Let’s Cook
Buddy Oliver
Penguin Random House
$50
If you’re one of the many households with even one of Jamie Oliver’s globally popular cookbooks, you’ll appreciate the opportunity to pass on his love of food and cooking to the next generation. Inspired by his food-loving family, Jamie Oliver’s son Buddy Oliver shares useful everyday kitchen skills and family-friendly recipes. It’s also a wonderful source of easy recipes for any age wanting to upskill in the kitchen. From breakfast toasties to quick and easy pizzas and learning to make your own pasta and tomato sauce, it’s a must-have on your 2024 bookshelf.
Hairy Maclary’s Magnet Fun
Lynley Dodd
Picture Puffin
$19.99
The ideal book for entertaining little ones while travelling on the road. This sturdy magnetic book includes magnets of Hairy Maclary and his friends. Children can decide who accompanies Hairy Maclary on his mischievous adventures with their choice of magnet, bringing imagination and learning together through creative play. It also means that they can create a fresh story every time as they change magnets around on each page. Featuring Lynley Dodd’s iconic rhyming style and delightfully illustrated.
Fresh reads
Matt Chisholm
Allen & Unwin NZ
$45
There’s something incredibly powerful about being open enough to share the challenges and lows of life, as well as celebrating achievements and high points. Former TVNZ Sunday reporter Matt Chisholm opened up new channels of conversation around mental health after sharing his personal struggles in his number-one bestselling book Imposter. Having departed Auckland and life as a television host to immerse himself and his family in rural Otago, The Road to Chatto Creek is packed with great yarns, relatable learnings, and personal insights. Written in Matt’s distinctive voice, it’s also packed with local characters and gorgeous photos.
Steve Holmes
Bateman Books
$59.99
The perfect read for anyone with even a small appreciation of motor racing, Steve Holmes has put together a high-octane collection of candid stories from some of New Zealand’s most lauded driving heroes. Focusing on iconic drivers who excelled domestically over the past 40 years, drivers include Andy Buchanan, Brett Riley, Dave Simpson, Garry Pedersen, the Halliday Brothers, and many more. It’s the perfect book to dip into as each chapter stands alone as an individual story, complete with its own successes, failures and personal memories.
Sight Lines
Kirsty Baker
Auckland University Press
$69.99
A true celebration of art made by women in Aotearoa, this lusciously illustrated book is not only a visual feast but also offers thought-provoking insights into groundbreaking art, from ancient whatu kākahu to contemporary installations, Frances Hodgkins to Merata Mita, Fiona Clark to Mataaho Collective. It’s a joyous gathering of essays and examples of work from 35 extraordinary women – across everything from painting, photography, sculpting, weaving, textiles, and everything creative in between. Immerse yourself in this collection and embrace a wider appreciation of the unique mindsets behind some truly incredible pieces.
Polly Markus
Allen & Unwin NZ
$49.99
Not all cookbooks are created equal. Some are more aspirational tomes to leaf through and admire the complex skillsets within, some are fun reads packed with personality, and some become prized everyday go-tos for tasty meal ideas. The delightful Polly Markus has managed to achieve the latter two for Seriously Delicious, serving up more than 70 new recipes with her signature punchy flavour while also being remarkably achievable. If you feel like the joy of cooking has faded, this could well be the solution, and the beautiful food illustrations provide extra inspiration to get creative.
Gareth and Louise Ward
Penguin
$38
Life really does imitate art, as it turns out the Kiwi authors of this murder mystery are, in fact, real-life bookshop owners in Aotearoa. The Bookshop Detectives is set around two small-town booksellers (and their cowardly dog) who solve a decades-old murder mystery. There are plenty of parallels (other than the murder component) to the actual life of Gareth and Louise and life in a tight-knit community. It’s a fun romp through a host of twisty trails, unravelling a crime while also getting drawn deeper into a myriad of enjoyable characters.
