Junior non-fiction
Yates Young Gardener: Get your Hands Dirty
By Janice Marriott(HarperCollins, RRP $24.99)
REVIEWED BY MICHELLE LEE - © Fairfax NZ News
This is the perfect reference book for those little green thumbs who have a bunch of questions regarding how to grow, what becomes of plants and why are flowers so colourful.
Sensational Survivors: An iIlustrated Guide to NZ's Remarkable Wildlife
By Sandra Morris (Walker Books, RRP $29.99)
REVIEWED BY MAREE FIELD - © Fairfax NZ News
This is a great book for budding naturalists in the family. It's an illustrated guide to New Zealand's weird, wonderful and unique wildlife.
The Naughty Kid's Book of Nature
By Des Hunt and Scott Tulloch (HarperCollins, RRP $29.99)
REVIEWED BY F MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News
This is not a comprehensive guide to the flora and fauna of New Zealand.
I Am a Seal
Words and photos by Barbara Todd; Illustrations by Helen Taylor (New Holland, RRP $16.99)
REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News
This is a beautiful new children's book, third in the "I am a ... " series, following titles about a dolphin and a penguin.
New Zealand Wild Life
By Dave Gunson (New Holland)
REVIEWED BY TAYLOR CHILTON (AGED 11) - © Fairfax NZ News
This book is telling you about the nature of New Zealand is like the wild life it has: Kowhai, Hermit Crab, Kaka and much more!
The Kiwi Fossil Hunter's Handbook
By James Crampton and Marianna Terezow (Random House NZ, RRP $39.99)
REVIEWED BY F MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News
The Kiwi Fossil Hunter's Handbook is aimed at the children market or more so the Kiwi family who want an opening into the world of fossils or who already have a junior palaeontologist. Whichever, the book is truly a good starting place.
Eco-Rangers Save the Planet
By Maria Gill, illustrated by Vivienne Lingard (New Holland, RRP $19.99)
REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News
Subtitled Earth-friendly missions for green Kiwis, this book is aimed at children in years five to eight.
Bookmarks: Invaders, Penguins of NZ, Rangitoto
REVIEWED BY JILLIAN ALLISON-AITKEN - © Fairfax NZ News
Children's non-fiction book reviews in brief:
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Nature's Techno Tricks
By Dee Pigneguy (Papawai Press, RRP $24.99)
REVIEWED BY F MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News
This is a very interesting book with lots of colour photographs showing some of the amazing ways in which animals are adapted to their activities, like their ability to make structures, and their surroundings.
New Zealand Through Time
By Ronald Cometti, New Holland Publishers, RRP $29.99
REVIEWED BY MAREE FIELD - © Fairfax NZ News
This is subtitle An illustrated journey through 83 million years of natural history but that's really an understatement.
Wearing the Poppy
By A J Toledo, HarperCollins, RRP $19.99
REVIEWED BY JILLIAN ALLISON-AITKEN - © Fairfax NZ News
This is a fantastic book for young Kiwis who want to know more about just what Anzac Day is all about.
Really Big Stuff/Really Fast Stuff
By Alan Trussell-Cullen, published by Puffin, RRP $19.99 each
REVIEWED BY MAREE FIELD - © Fairfax NZ News
Really Big Stuff and Really Fast Stuff are part of the All You Need to Know About Stuff series.
Te Rauparaha: Legend of Aotearoa
Retold by Maureen Cavanagh, illustrated by Bruce Potter (Picture Puffin, RRP $17.95)
REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News
This is a vivid retelling of some of Te Rauparaha's adventures, with illustrations that bring the story to life.
First Hundred Words in Maori
By Heather Amery, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright (Huia Publishers)
REVIEWED BY MICHELLE CHILTON - © Fairfax NZ News
A good idea's still a good idea in any language.
Poisonous Stuff and Smelly Stuff
By Alan Trussell-Cullen (Puffin, RRP: $19.95 each)
REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News
These attractive books are the first in the new "All you need to know about STUFF'' series.
Pop-up books: Ship & Moon Landing
REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News
Pop-up book reviews in brief:
This is the Reef
By Miriam Moss, illustrated by Adrienne Kennaway (Frances Lincoln Children's Books, RRP $US8.95)
REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News
This beautiful conservation-based book takes the reader on a journey through the Great Barrier Reef.
A Really Short History of Nearly Everything
By Bill Bryson (Doubleday, RRP $45)
REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News
Having borrowed and read Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything earlier this year, I was excited to be able to now read this abridged version, adapted for younger readers.
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