Why buy our children’s books?
If you believe that children need the opportunity to play and explore their environment, then our books are for you! We believe that learning occurs as the child interacts with people, objects, and events in the world around them. Our books and resources are created on this firm foundation and are bringing learning to life in homes and classrooms everywhere!
Buy Will There Be Puffins?
The Mouat family, Robert and Barbara, left Shetland in 1922 with their first five children; they travelled to New Zealand and settled in Timaru. Like the puffins that come and go with the seasons, Shetlanders continue to feel the strong tug of their homeland. The idea for this story was launched from John and Gay’s family returning to Shetland and their daughter feeling a strong sense of identity and heritage.The illustrator, Sarah Harmon, from a strong Scottish background, visited Shetland to immerse herself in the landscapes, the wool and the people. Her magical images have so much to explore.
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“What a glorious book this is! A beautiful, moving tale of adventure and ancestry. It shows that you can belong to a place even though you live half a world away. Entertaining, informative, and thoroughly delightful…” – Liam McIIvanney, Stuart Professor of Scottish Studies, University of Otago
Reviewed by Stephnie Burton, Library Life October 2016, Issue 450. Read more….
Fantail’s Quilt / Te Papangarua a Piwakawaka
A gorgeous children’s picture book that tells a classic indigenous story – a fantail, a rat, a morepork and the New Zealand bush. Vivid pictures that capture the New Zealand bush promise to entertain the young, while providing an interactive educational resource for older children. A stunning addition to any early childhood education centre or school and a beautiful children’s gift.
Follow Mother Fantail as she attempts to raise a family in the beautiful but dangerous New Zealand forest. This is a touching story about the circle of life and the perils of the forest. Deep, rich colour illustrations have the characters leaping off the page and into your imagination. Sketches at the back help children to identify the plants and animals included in the book and a dedication encourages them to look after their native creatures.Also available as te reo Māori edition Te Paangarua a Piwakawaka. Nominated for a 2012 LIANZA Illustration Award!
Buy nowGay Hay and Margaret Tolland tell a big story in a deceptively simple way. Their touch is powerful but light. There is much to talk about behind the elegant pictures and evocative words. – Gavin Bishop
Watch out, Snail! / Kia Mataara, e Ngata!
This gorgeously illustrated follow-up to Page Break’s LIANZA-shortlisted Fantail’s Quilt showcases the beautiful native Powelliphanta snail on its perilous night-time hunt. A little-known New Zealand creature, the Powelliphanta is not at all like your average garden snail. It is huge, handsome and carnivorous! The Powelliphanta hunting down its next meal is an epic battle on a tiny scale. Also available as te reo Māori edition Kia Mataara, e Ngata!
Finalist – Picture Book, NZ Post Book Awards, Children & Young Adults 2014.
“Powelliphanta: a small hero with a big name … this quietly thrilling story of our hidden, nocturnal world is visually splendid, beautifully designed and written with an ear alert to the poetry, precision and adventure of language.” – Kate De Goldi
Go, Green Gecko! / E Oma, Moko Kākāriki!
Go, Green Gecko! Our new book is here! Explore the challenges the Wellington green Gecko faces as it forages for food in the New Zealand bush. Margaret Tolland’s clever use of texture and layered images captures the cheeky character of the gecko and the rich life of our native bush.
Young readers will enjoy the rhythmic text and the building tension of the plot. Its bound to become a favourite!
Te reo Māori edition E Oma, Moko Kākāriki! also available.
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About the Author and Illustrator
Gay Hay is an environmental enthusiast and primary school teacher. She is a volunteer for Nga Uruora Trust and, as the Pukerua Bay school environmental officer, she has helped children plant and nurture over 6000 trees. Her previous book – Discovery Time, a primary school resource – was also published by Page Break Ltd.
Margaret Tolland is an artist and teacher by trade, and this is her first published work. She is committed to pursuing a career in illustration. Margaret is currently the Education Coordinator at Pataka Museum of Arts and Cultures where she teaches people of all ages about art.