The booksellers of Unity Books Auckland and Wellington review a handful of children’s books sure to delight and inspire readers of all ages.

AUCKLAND

Reviews by Elka Aitchison and Roger Christensen, booksellers at Unity Books Auckland

Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald – (Ages 14+)

You’ll easily fall in love with the two broken boys at the heart of this story. Finlay’s and Banjo’s backstory is full of trauma and yearning in their journeys to turn their lives around after childhoods spent in care homes and foster families in the working-class suburbs of Glasgow, Scotland. This is a coming-of-age novel full of awkwardness, laughter and tears, that will hit you in the gut as you feel the full emotional force of the boys trying desperately to find themselves and their place in the world. The pacing and development of the characters is phenomenal considering this is a debut and I’m predicting well-deserved award recognition. / Reviewed by Roger Christensen

The Biggest Footprint: Eight Billion Humans. One Clumsy Giant by Rob & Tom Sears – (Ages 9+)

I read that the author’s aim with this book was to give readers a graphic way to look at the big data about our species. And they’ve far surpassed their goal in this beautifully simple, illustrated story of humanity’s impact on nature through the lens of a 3km-tall blue giant (roughly the size of eight billion humans mashed together). Carrying all the baggage of humanity with it this mega human proves not to be the smartest of creatures (spot on so far), but through careful observation begins to understand the problems it has created for Planet Earth’s future… and how it might be able to fix them. There is hope for us yet if we’d all just come together to make it happen. / RC

Johnny, The Sea, And Me by Melba Escobar & illustrated by Elizabeth Builes – (Ages 10+)

This is a novel to treasure. In hardback and accompanied by beautiful painterly illustrations we meet a young, timid Pedro, about to embark on a holiday with his mother to a small Caribbean Island. Smallest in his class and bullied at school Pedro has imagined going to sea all his life, finding lost treasure and meeting a pirate. Be careful what you wish for! In his excitement he literally grows inches and likewise when he is sad he shrinks in size. Beautifully rendered story and illustrations this is a magical tale of a young boy coming into his own. / RC

Miss Cat by Jean-Luc Fromental & Joelle Jolivet – (Ages 7+)

An utterly charming noir mystery about the clever and memorably dressed Miss Cat. She’s a PI with ears on her hat running her detective agency at 29 Thirty Street (which smells of old milk). The illustrations are intricate and punchy with a bright but moody palette. I love the humour; it’s witty and not too on the nose, with funny details to be found in names, addresses and the quirks of each character’s personality, like the references to cats littered throughout. They certainly share some traits with our protagonist, after all being stealthy and observant are absolutely necessary if you want to be a private detective! The story is fantastic, with a
satisfying twist and some more complex moral ideas peppered in. It’s atmospheric, sometimes sinister, whimsical and a bit weird, the perfect graphic novel for 7-to-10-year-olds or any lover of crime and cats. / Reviewed by Elka Aitchison

One Weka Went Walking by Kate Preece & illustrated by Pippa Ensor – (Ages 5+)

A wordy, rhyming read aloud that introduces you to the Chatham Islands and their incredible inhabitants through the eyes of a curious weka. You learn the characteristics of our native birds as they’re woven into a delightful, rhythmic story. Pippa Endsor’s beautiful watercolour illustrations capture the beauty of some of Aotearoa’s most endangered birds, from the black robin to the tōrea tai. At the foot of each page we get a fun fact about the corresponding species, like did you know the Chatham Island tāiko was believed extinct until 1978? This is perfect for kids who are as inquisitive as the little weka and a great introduction to Aotearoa’s wildlife and the importance of protecting it. / EA

And the Unity Books Auckland children’s bestsellers for September:

1 Midnight Adventures of Ruru and Kiwi by Clare Scott, illustrated by Amy Haarhoff (Puffin, $21)

2 Sleepy Kiwi by Kat Quin (Tikitibu, $20)

3 The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions by Giselle Clarkson (Gecko, $40)

4 Brilliant Maps: An Atlas for Curious Minds by Ian Wright (Granta, $30)

5 The Raven’s Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey (Allen & Unwin, $25)

6 Maui & Other Legends: 8 Classic Tales of Aotearoa by Peter Gossage (Penguin, $40)

7 Dazzlehands by Sacha Cotter, illustrated by Josh Morgan (Huia Publishers, $22)

8 Noisy Book by Bravi Soledad (Gecko, $25)

9 Where Is It? A Wildlife Hunt for Kiwi Kids by Ned Barraud (Potton Burton, $22)

10 Atua: Maori Gods & Heroes by Gavin Bishop (Puffin, $40)

WELLINGTON

Reviews by ​​Rachel Pilois and Eden Denyer and Lisa Adler, booksellers at Unity Books Wellington.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White (Ages 15+)

One of my favourite books this year, full stop. YA but barely, this supernatural historical horror had me by the throat until the very end. I can’t remember the last time I was so utterly gripped by a book that I had to finish it on the spot. An excellent depiction of a young autistic trans man in the Victorian era, exploring shared lived female experience and the powerful bonds formed in the face of insurmountable adversity. Also there’s spooky ghosts. It is in your face when it needs to be, but Joseph brings a surprising amount of nuance to the table. If you’re even a little squicked out by medical horror I’d stay clear (this book does not shy away from ANYTHING), but if you’ve got the stomach I really could not recommend it higher. / Reviewed by Eden Denyer

The Witch of Maketu and the Bleating Lambs by Anika Moa, illustrated Rebecca Ter Borg (Ages 3+)

The grumpy witch of Maketu’s search for a bit of moe had me in stitches! Moa’s hilarious dialogue and Ter Borg’s delicious illustrations brim with aroha and delight, making this spooky wee pukapuka fun to read aloud or read along. Great fun for the whole whānau, tu meke Anika and Rebecca! / ED

Rune: The Tale of A Thousand Faces by Carlos Sanchez (Ages 9+) 

If you’ve been in store recently you may have overheard me excitedly nattering to anyone who will listen about this INCREDIBLE new kids’ graphic novel. Secret codes to decipher, a vibrant cast (including a deaf main character!), and jaw dropping art and panel spreads, this is a masterclass in storytelling and design. I also really commend the incorporation of ASL in the comic form. Chiri’s face and signs are so expressive, and I thought the differentiation between spoken and signed speech was extremely clever and well thought through. A treasure for tamariki and rangatahi! / ED

What Feelings Like Best by Tina Oziewicz, illustrated by Aleksandra Zając (Ages 3+)

An exquisite book for children and adults of all ages.  Written in clear prose with absorbing, enticing illustrations, this book explores those feelings we all carry within us, and how recognising and naming them builds emotional clarity and resilience. An absolute must-have on every bookshelf. / Reviewed by Lisa Adler

Wilding by Isabella Tree and illustrated by Angela Harding (Ages 7+) 

Based on Tree’s adult non-fiction The Book of Wilding this rewritten and re-illustrated edition for younger readers is a must-have for every home and library. Set at the Knepp Castle Estate in the UK, this book tells the story of the inspirational rewilding project that has seen extraordinary increases in wildlife over the past two decades. Including everything from birds to insects, to deer to plants, this book explores the successes of rewilding efforts and gives tips for how these practices can be used and expanded upon globally. Featuring a plethora of Angela Harding’s enchanting illustrations, this book is a joyful and hopeful story of life in a struggling world. / Reviewed by Rachel Pilois

And the Unity Books Wellington children’s bestsellers for September:

1 The Raven’s Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey (Allen & Unwin, $25) 

2 The Little Witch Who Lost Her Broom by Elaine Bickell illustrated by Raymond McGrath ($22) 

3 Dazzlehands  by Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan (Huia, $22) 

4 The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions by Giselle Clarkson (Gecko Press, $40) 

5 The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (Piccadilly Press, $19) 

6 Ultrawild: An Audacious Plan to Rewild Every City on Earth by Steve Mushin (Allen & Unwin, $38)

7 The Grimmelings by Rachael King (Allen & Unwin, $25)

8 Taylor Swift (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara (Frances Lincoln, $23) 

9 Rimu: The Tree of Time, An Ammorangi & Millie Adventure by Lauren Keenan (Huia, $26)

10 Titiro/Look by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press, $25)

PSA: it’s Bookshop Day this Saturday October 12. See the Bookshop Day page to find out what’s happening at your local bookshop.