In this week's Read All About it, we have a fantastic debut novel by a local author, a stunning book of images, help for new parents looking for the perfect name and a fishing trip for the children.
Hawke's Bay mother-of-four, musician, and music teacher Mary-anne Scout has released her first novel Snakes and Ladders.
Finn Fletcher is 16, lives in a remote coastal town, has a sort-of-girlfriend, is good at sport and plays a musical instrument.
He's also highly embarrassed by his parents. His dad's the local druggie and his mum ... well, she's just his mum who always wears the same clothes.
When Finn's father is charged with manslaughter, the family decide Finn is better off out of town.
He is sent to a posh boarding school in Auckland where he has to deal with blackmail and bullies, all the while keeping a guilty secret. But it's not all bad. He meets a gorgeous girl and makes new friends. This is an excellent read that explores the world of teenagers, particularly males.
Snakes and Ladders is published by Scholastic and retails for $21
The next book takes readers on a nostalgic trip back in time with stunning photos of early settlement in New Zealand.
The collection, by farmer and photographer Harold Marsh, captures images of settlers around the Kaipara Harbour in Northland at work and at play creating communities and breaking in harsh land to make a living.
Images from Albertland by Paul Campbell is simply fascinating.
The photos date from 1876 to 1948, and include weddings (one of a triple Maori wedding where two of the brides wore feather cloaks over their white gowns, gorgeous), children at play and men and work. I couldn't put this book down.
Images from Albertland is published by Echo Publishing.
It is available at www.echopublishing.co.nz and retails for $76.
What's in a name? Well everything really. I'm sure most of us have been teased about some part of our name some time in our life. My maiden name was Chapman so I got called Charlie Chapman even though I would always point out it was Charlie Chaplin not Chapman. The teasers cared not one bit.
While there's not a lot we can do about our surname, first names are something that many parents agonise, debate and even argue over. There are loads of books out there with lists of names but this little beauty is much more than lists.
Hey You A kiwi Compendium of Baby Names by Rosemary Hepozden is more of a manuel than a book.
It takes a humorous yet down to earth look at thousands of names, background information and advice on how to avoid naming your child Pauline Iris Gregory (look at the initials).
As the author says, naming your child is a special pleasure. Hey You might just help you hit upon the perfect name for your child.
Published by Renaissance Hey You retails for $25.
Time for the children.
The Fishing Trip by Beatrice Rodriguez features the same characters from The Chicken Thief.
A wordless adventure about a chicken, a fox and a soon-to-be hatched egg. Times are tough in this happy household with no food to be had. So chicken leaves the cosy island to find food.
She encounters plenty of danger but eventually makes it home.
You really don't need words in this book, the pictures capture the action perfectly.
A great way to get young minds to verbalise what they see.
Suitable for pre-school and over.
The Fishing Trip is published by Gecko Press and retails for $24.99.