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Let's read! June giveaways
To be in to win any of these titles, email us at communications@read-nz.org with GIVEAWAY and your chosen book title in the subject line, and your name and postal address in the email body.
What if You Could? (Paperback)
Jacinda Ardern
Penguin NZ
Genre: Children's & YA
When Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand, she was one of the youngest people in the world leading a country. Many people thought she would never succeed — herself included. Wouldn’t her insecurity, overthinking, worrying, and tendency to empathise stop her from being able to achieve her goals?
As she soon learned, though, it was exactly those attributes — as well as kindness and wanting to listen to and serve others — that made her into the empathetic, adaptable, and effective leader that she was.
While sharing her own experiences and challenges as a young person, and then as prime minister, Jacinda Ardern encourages readers to realise that true strength, success, and power come from embracing ourselves just as we are — imposter syndrome and all.
Hiva and Heartbeats (paperback)
Selina Alesana Alefosio
Mila's Books
Genre: Junior
Hiva & Heartbeats follows Epi, a Tokelau girl growing up in the colourful chaos of family gatherings, legacy, and big dreams in the nineties.
Through it all, it's hiva-traditional Tokelau dance-that keeps her grounded. As crushes get complicated and teen life throws its usual mix of drama, doubts, and decisions, Epi learns that staying true to your roots is the real glow-up.
With her diary, her culture, and her sister-cousin Lia by her side, she dances through the highs and lows of teen life-one slow jam at a time.
Kiwi Health Heroes (illustrated non-fiction)
Caitlin Timmer-Arends, So-Young Cho, Rebecca Waddell
Bateman Books
Genre: Illustrated non-fiction
Kiwis have a long history of great achievements. Everyone knows we were the first to split the atom and give women the right to vote, but did you know that we've achieved A LOT of things in health and medicine, too?
For a start, it was a Timaru inventor who created the first ever disposable syringe. And a doctor from West Otago made a world-first discovery about chronic fatigue syndrome. How about the amazing Kiwi who introduced air-based search-and-rescue missions after witnessing a disaster? And let's not forget the clever minds behind the high-tech medical imaging that helps to save lives every day.
Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery (graphic novel)
Li Chen
Penguin NZ
Genre: graphic novel, junior
Your favourite kitten detective is back with a new mystery to solve . . . and treasure to find!
When Captain Scuttlebeard gives Beans a treasure map, Beans is determined to find the prize at the end. The clues take him all over Cat Town – to places he doesn’t expect! With Biscuits by his side, and with help from some other familiar faces, can Beans find the treasure . . . and get home in time to clean up his room?
The Terrible Trio: The Mystery of the Lost Cape (graphic novel)
Swapna Haddow
Scholastic
Genre: Graphic novel, junior
Zeb the zebra, Marg the penguin, and Barry the lemur continue to unlock new adventures with their unconventional superpowers. But when Barry comes across a cape that gives him the ability to fly, he gets a taste of being a true hero… and the price of it.
This is the third title in the hilarious bestselling series, ‘The Terrible Trio‘, written by Swapna Haddow and illustrated by Minky Stapleton.
Ana & Frog Search for Minty the Missing Horse(paperback)
Shelley Burne-Field
Scholastic
Genre: Junior
Best friend cousins Ana and Frog turn junior detectives in a determined search for Whaea McCready's missing horse, Minty. Ana loves that horse more than anything. More than hip-hop. Much more than homework. And her cousin is right by her side.
So Ana and Frog set out on a spy mission around their small town, searching for any clues that might lead them to Minty, and to whoever might have taken her. Find out if the cousins can solve the mystery!
By Shelley Burne-Field, illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse.
Matariki (Reo pēpi)
Kitty Brown and Kirsten Parkinson
Allen & Unwin
Genre: Pēpi early reads
How can we celebrate Matariki? Let's look to the stars!
Maumaharatia: Remembering our past
Tiakina te taiao: Caring for our environment
Te whakawhanaungatanga: Connecting with our people
Me pēhea tātou e whakanui i a Matariki? Tirohia ngā whetū!
Maumaharatia te onamata
Tiakina te taiao
Te whakawhanaungatanga ki ō tātou iwi
Explore the nine stars of Matariki in rich, detailed imagery and bilingual text. Dive into the meanings of the stars and Matariki itself. Encourage whānau to remember, celebrate and reflect at this important time of year.
Dieback (Junior)
Des Hunt
Tōrea Press
Genre: Junior
Peter MacNeill's life is turned upside-down when his family is forced from the house he has lived in all his life. The new place is a decaying dump awaiting demolition. And yet Peter finds much of interest in the wilderness backyard and nearby bush reserve: an old henhouse that becomes a secret den; a tree hut; and lots of huge protected native trees. But Gary Oxley, their landlord, plans to build a luxury apartment block with expensive views, and those trees are in the way. Soon Peter is accused of all sorts of crimes from killing animals to spreading kauri dieback disease. When Peter fights back with the help of local girl, Tui, Gary responds with extreme action that will kill not only the trees but also the creatures who depend on them. As Peter and Tui scramble to save the animals they quickly realise they must first save themselves.
Kekeno: Curious Explorer (illustrated)
Katie Furze
Allen & Unwin
Genre: Children & Young Adult
Baby Kekeno sniffs the salty air, shakes his flippers and looks around. The waves CRASH onto the rocks. Hold on tight, little fur seal, your mother will be back soon! Meet KEKENO —native New Zealand fur seal— curious EXPLORER, sleek swimmer and deep ocean diver
