“The Girls” by Emma Cline is a hot new novel about Evie Boyd, a woman who grew up in California in the 1960s and 1970s. The film rights…
Dorothy Waide’s wonderful book ‘You simply can’t spoil a newborn’ is the absolute must-have parenting book for new Mums and Dads.
Emma Galloway of My Darling Lemon Thyme blog/book fame has returned with a new cookbook to inspire those who enjoy eating a vegetarian and gluten free diet. Full…
Cake Decorating Made Easy is a cake decorating book for beginners who want to add flair to their cakes. With completely manageable step-by-step instructions, this title is a…
“Vinegar Girl” is part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series of modern retellings of Shakespeare. It updates “The Taming of the Shrew.” I love a clever modern adaptation of…
Guji Guji is a crocodile, who, through the event of his egg rolling down a hill is born into a family of ducks. His family accepts him for…
Kids love Dr Suess, and it’s been that way for a long time. New stories have been found and published in Horton & the Kwuggerbug and more lost…
On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Over the course of minutes, they would kill twelve students and…
Ice Age Live tells the adventures of an extraordinary herd of Ice Age animals, all living together as one unique big family. The decrease in grassland leads Sid,…
The right level of silly-fun, without dragging out the story and with a good resolve – this is a winner for preschoolers and young school-aged children.
At 12 years old I declared my intention to become a vegetarian much to the horror of my mother who hailed from solid sheep farming stock. It was…
Joanna King is a kiwi by birth, but she now lives in Vienna and works as a journalist. This is her debut novel about four sisters who take…
Marie Kondo’s latest book on how to tidy your house once and for all is a great read – if you haven’t already read her original book the…
They say food should be our first medicine, and that’s the premise of Julia & Libby’s Wholefood Kitchen. If you want to transform your body from the inside…
Auckland Zoo probably doesn’t need much of an introduction for most Aucklanders. My three young ones were fortunate enough to spend their first years only minutes from Auckland…
My kids are spoilt. I don’t deny it. They get far more than their fair share of ‘cool stuff’. So these holidays we’ve been trying to DO cool…
I loved reading this book. The storyline revolves around Ginny, who is a rising star when tragedy strikes her life. She is about to jump off a bridge…
Personally, I think there’s everything to love about Mud Mates coveralls.
We took our almost 3 year old (and our 4 month old) to see The (Kiwi) Gingerbread Man on Saturday and had a blast! The play is a…
This is a must read book for any budding Kiwi craft brewer. Well written, and well presented, the book details how to get started, from extract brewing, through…
In Capital E’s new show Shu’s Song, the ordinary world become extraordinary as Shu discovers the secret life of everyday objects in a home office. Shu’s imagination brings…
I’ve been a bit slow to the personal blender party and I’m always a bit skeptical about fads. However, the kind people from Nutribullet offered to send me…
Originally published in 1955, this is a 60th anniversary edition of a celebrated NZ picture book in the bestselling series by Avis Acres. By re-releasing the title, the…
The Best of Alison Holst was first published in 1991. There is now a 2015 version of her famous “Big Red Book”. It contains vegetarian recipes, microwave recipes,…
A quirky picture book about a child and an elephant playing hide and seek.
This book has simple black and white drawings, with a short paragraph with information about each one. Most are vehicles, but there are some that aren’t, like a…
This is a wordless picture book, about a girl who finds a pencil line which becomes all sorts of things.
I haven’t read Amelia Freer’s first book, Eat. Nourish. Glow. However, apparently due to demand for recipes to accompany her first book, she has written this companion cook…
Sir Scallywag is asked by the king to retrieve the golden sausage that will make the king live for ever. Of course, there’s an interesting twist!
Hello World is a sequel to Mrs Mo’s Monster. Monster is bored because Mr and Mrs Mo are busy, so he takes off for an adventure which turns…
Short easy bike rides provides description of 52 rides throughout New Zealand suitable for taking younger less experienced riders on. The book gives good coverage of rides throughout…
Feel like breathing new life into your home but unsure where to start? Learn how to upcycle your items into stylish and functional pieces with Reclaim That.
The prankster and the ghost is a new book by R. L. Stedman. I’ve reviewed three of Stedman’s books previously and you can find the reviews here:
We’re so blessed to have access to the array of birdlife that we can see every day as a New Zealander. Eleven iconic birds are detailed in this…
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Short Easy Bike Rides: 52 of the best. This descriptive book title is true to what the well-known bike guru author Jonathon Kennett delivers: Short – less that…
This is a photographic record of the British Royal Family from 1901 (the death of Queen Victoria) to the modern day. Showcasing six monarchs, The Royals will take…
“When the hippo came to Havelock, no one quite knew what to do. There are no hippos in New Zealand. Well, only in the zoo.” So starts this…
The premise of Mum’s the Word is that when people have kids – and particularly, when they leave a career to do so – it can be really…
Munch Eco Hero is an innovative baby feeding set made from rice husks, so it is 100% biodegradable.
Tiger and Leopard are having an all-out jungle quarrel about whether stripes or spots are best. More members of the jungle weigh in and try to sort out…
If you were thinking school fundraising cookbooks were the variety that is spiral bound and a simple list of recipes in a basic typeset…. well it would appear…
The Baby Bjorn Active is a great baby carrier.
When to Rob a Bank is the latest book from the Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, the famous Freakonomics pair and it’s a collection of their…
Wildflower is a warm, thoughtful collection of Drew Barrymore’s non-chronological memoirs covering childhood, her business, dating and marriage, motherhood, family relationships and friendships.
Nigella Lawson is back – causing us to slow down, pause and enjoy feel good food. Sounds good, right? From bowlfood (soups and noodle dishes) to tasty sides…
Tim Winton’s latest book – Island Home – is a memoir, rather than his usual novel genre. And yet, the book is a beautiful collection of essays which…
Landscapes of New Zealand is a new book by acclaimed photographer Warren Jacobs, which showcases the country’s amazing contours from north to south. New Zealand is such a…
Sonoma Meets Miss Mouse is a heartwarming tale of a little girl named Sonoma and her new best friend. Through the warm, vibrant illustrations and rich text, children…
One of the most well-known attractions in Rotorua, Rainbow Springs has existed in various forms since 1929. These days, it’s a nature park and kiwi conservation site. In…
When I think of Rotorua, the very first thing I think of is hot pools and a visit is not complete without heading to the pools. Polynesian Spa…
One of New Zealand’s parenting classics, He’ll Be OK by legendary Celia Lashlie has been published in a special new edition to mark ten years since its original…
We’ve known the good people at Jet Park Auckland for a while now and the Kiwi Families team has often commented that New Zealand could do with more…
This reusable food wrap is an alternative product to regular plastic wrap. It can be used over the top of jars, ends of cheese, or just to wrap…
I had great memories of Rainbow Springs as a kid. Memories of the pools filled with trout have stuck with me for most of my life. So I…
It’s the best of the best from Simon and Alison Holst – New Zealand’s wholesome, thrifty household names of the home kitchen. You will find over 250 items…
Anyone else find it challenging to travel with kids? I’m pretty sure it’s not just me! Way back in 1952, a father named Kemmons Wilson was sick of being charged…
Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium is a bit of a kiwi institution. Opened in 1985, many New Zealand kids will have fond memories of visiting the iconic aquarium…
This is a retelling of the legend of how Wellington Harbour was created. Ngake and Whataitai are two taniwha who live in a beautiful lake, but one day…
The Munch Lunch Cooler can be used as a cold and a hot pack. However its primary purpose is to keep lunch cool inside warm summer school bags…
The Bakehouse is powerful novel about war – not set in a warzone, but instead in suburban New Zealand. Bert wants nothing more than be old enough to…
Oh, Chelsea. You just keep getting better. I loved Everyday Delicious more than At My Table. And I might just love Homemade Happiness best of all. But the…
Kiwi team Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud have put together a beautiful, simple guide to NZ bushlife for preschoolers and school age children. This text is one in…
Nadia Lim’s Fresh Start Cookbook is the newest offering from the 2011 MasterChef New Zealand winner and “My Food Bag” founder. It includes over 100 recipes for lasting…
Dictator is a book about Cicero one of Julius Caesar’s associates and sometimes friend. It tells of Cicero’s efforts to keep the ideals of Rome alive and how…
Munch have a philosophy – to do what is possible to prevent growing childhood obesity rates. A lofty and important aim. So here is their t shirt, reinforcing…
In 2008, the horrific murder of Sophie Elliott by her former boyfriend and university tutor, Clayton Weatherston, shocked the nation. During the police investigation it became clear Sophie’s…
There will be lies and then there will be the truth is a novel by Nick Lake. The book follows Shelby Jane Cooper – a 17 year old…
“The Pale North” is a book set in Wellington and elsewhere, by Hamish Clayton from Hawkes Bay. It tells a story about a man wandering the streets of…
There’s no going back, Agent. Once you enter this book, your training will begin as you join the secret world of spies. You’ll rise through the ranks from…
From the mythical heart of Greece to the fruits of the Black Sea coast; from Croatian and Albanian flavors to the spices and aromas of Turkey and beyond—the…
In a world dazzled by the latest gadgets and mesmerized by Internet videos, the humble book seems like the most ordinary thing that could be. And perhaps it…
The Munch Baggie white and blue star is a classy, sturdy all-in-one reusable wrap that is suitable for carting muffins or other small goods in a lunch bag,…
Proving that parents will do just about anything for a longer evening and/or better night’s sleep, The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep has become a bestseller. In…
Geoff Chapple began ‘a year-long journey to seek out the powerful forces that shape this country’ and has written about his findings in Terrain. Along the way he…
Little Elliot lives in a Big City, but leads a quiet life. He’s just a little guy so life can present some challenges. He gets through by enjoying…
You can own the complete adventures of Hairy Maclary in one volume. And it comes with a CD reading the stories and telling the background of where the…
Summer’s a’knockin’ at the door, and I find myself wanting light, delicious, crisp items on my plate in the evenings. This book will help you ‘include more ‘greens’…
With three separate storage compartments, removable snack pods and dividers, as well as the handy sandwich seatbelt, the Rubbish Free Lunch Box ensures your lunch and snacks remain…
The Goodbyn Portions On-The-Go is a compact, versatile set for active, healthy lifestyles. It is the perfect set for both kids and adults. All items fit in the…
Sara is 28 and has never been outside Sweden – except in the (many) books she reads. When her elderly penfriend Amy invites her to come and visit…
When kindy starts posting stern notices about the amount of rubbish being accumulated after a mealtime, you know they mean business! One way to cut the wrap (heh…
The Goodbyn Hero is a bento box that’s perfect for school and work. With Goodbyn Hero, you choose 3 to 5 compartments and the pack includes two leakproof…
The Boy at the Top of the Mountain is a new novel from the author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. “Pierrot knows nothing about the Nazis…
Pack your on-the-go favourites for school, work, play, and travel, and this bento system will ensure that all your meals are fresh and tasty when mealtime rolls around.…
Yumbox 4 compartment is a kid friendly bento style lunch box with a single leakproof lid. The pre-portioned illustrated tray guides you in packing a healthy lunch with…
Just occasionally, as a reviewer, a book arrives that takes your breath away. Little Elliot – Big Family has become our family’s new favourite. It is entrancing. “A…
KIWIGARDEN is a family-owned business in the ‘Fruit Bowl’ of New Zealand – the Hawke’s Bay. They source crisp, crunchy apples, the sweetest sweetcorn and farm fresh yoghurt…
This beautiful adaptation of the beloved The Boy and The Moon, winner of multiple international independent film awards, tells the story of a boy who swims the deepest…
Oh Me, Oh My! Is the story of parrot and all her jungle friends. They’ve lost the sun – where can it have gone? Each has their own…
Up on the world’s highest mountain, the sky is tinged the black colour of space and the air is almost too thin to breathe. How did Ed, a…
Edward Lear’s classic poem, The Owl and the Pussy-cat, beautifully illustrated by Charlotte Voake and introduced with a foreword by Julia Donaldson.
The gripping sequel to the bestselling YA novels I am not Esther and I am Rebecca. Four years after Rebecca fled the religious community The Children of the…
Rhyme & Reo: aeiou teaches Te Reo to small children, presenting a fun way to learn Maori vowel sounds and illustrated with fun images.
Sneaky Snake happens upon Baby Kangaroo after he’s become separated from his Mother. Should Baby Kangaroo trust Sneaky Snake, or is he trying to mislead the poor little…
A kiwi retelling of the tremendously popular children’s classic ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, this new release illustrated by Patrick McDonald presents beautiful pictures of kiwi vistas…
I had the pleasure of going to the Kidz Stuff theatre performance of The Princess and the Pea. Mr 4 came along to give me his expert opinion…
The cows and sheep think Farmer McPhee should stop frowning and start frisking. But Farmer McPhee just wants to get some sleep! Then one moonlit night, something changes…A…
The best New Zealand poems for children, collected by star New Zealand poet Paula Green and illustrated inventively by Jenny Cooper. This exciting collection is truly a must-have…
In a past life, I was an English teacher and I always loved teaching the great classic To Kill a Mockingbird. It has so much depth and resonance…