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Top Kiwi books for kids

Aotearoa to Zespri

Books editor Marilynn McLachlan picks her favourite summer reading for kids.

Aotearoa to Zespri

Aotearoa to Zespri: the New Zealand ABC book

Aotearoa to Zespri: the New Zealand ABC book. Kelly Winney, Illustrated by Angie Dennis (Self-published, $22.99). This is a fantastic book for young ones to learn their ABCs. Each letter reflects aspects of Kiwiana with delightful images and clever poems.

Puffin New Zealand Children’s Treasury

Puffin New Zealand Children’s Treasury (Various NZ Authors, $45). From some of New Zealand’s most-loved authors and illustrators comes 10 enchanting tales that will delight children over and over again. A must-have for Kiwi kids.

Dear Vincent

Dear Vincent (Mandy Hager (Random House, $19.99). A compelling novel about 17-year-old Tara. She is living a difficult life with her paralysed father, controlling mother and the memory of her sister, who committed suicide five years earlier. But Tara finds strength and hope in her passion for art and Vincent van Gogh. A beautiful, brave and uplifting book.

The Princess and the Foal

The Princess and the Foal (Stacy Gregg (HarperCollins, $24.99). When Princess Haya of Jordan loses her mother at the age of three, she is gifted a foal who helps her through the grieving process and they form an incredible bond.  Years later, the princess represents Jordan at the toughest equestrian event in Arabia – the King’s Cup.

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