Holiday Reading 2005

New Zealand titles: Fiction for younger readers

Skalaska's new home: Skalaska godwit likes his new estuary winter home in New Zealand even though it is different from his Alaskan summer one. But it is not long before Skalaska discovers his new home is not as safe as he thought.
Bromhead, Peter A can of worms: Nobody enjoys an unpleasant surprise at breakfast time. So imagine Angus's shock when he discovered his yummy cheesy spaghetti wriggling around in the saucepan like agitated slimy earthworms. His mother is too busy to look and his sister thinks it is just another one of his pranks, so he takes the spaghetti to school.
Lockyer, John My kiwi: A boy discovers a kiwi nesting in the bush at the bottom of his farmland. But he is not the only one to find the family - a stoat has also discovered the kiwi.
McKay, Sandy Barry & Bitsa: Barry had always wanted a dog. Ever since he was little. But when he asked his Mum she had all the excuses. She said they cost too much and would be bad for his asthma. So there they were, Bitsa and Barry, getting closer and closer to home
Mahy, Margaret Zerelda's horses: Zerelda lived in the middle of a great city, partly because her parents worked in the city, driving tourists to markets and museums in a yellow gig pulled by Puzzle- their hard-working horse. Zerelda and Puzzle are close friends, so close that Zerelda could understand horse language. So Puzzle told her many unexpected things about the city, all from a horse's point of view of course.
Mischief & mayhem : 30 New Zealand stories: edited by Barbara Else
The Puffin treasury of New Zealand children’s stories volume 2: edited by Jenni Keestra
Orman, Lorraine Furze the fixer: Dougal scowled at the old umbrella in his hand. He chucked it into the junk pile. This was turning out to be the worst summer holiday ever. Okay, he was sorry Nan had a sore back. But why did big-mouthed sister Sarah have to say that she and Dougal would do some work round the place? He was meant to be on holiday!
Orman, Lorraine Kev and Borax: David is having trouble with the local bullies and with Kev, his punk fairy godfather. Kev is new at the job, keen to get the spells right and is always accompanied by his troll dog Borax. A title in the Aussie Bites series.
Orman, Lorraine Ratso: Steven had to think of something fast. It was his dad's birthday on Saturday and he didn't have a present. What could he buy for one dollar? Then Ryan Donovan arrived at school carrying a cage containing a very pretty rat, white with a black patch like a hood over her head. Problem solved?
Taylor, William Gladys the goat: Gladys the goat was trouble. She ate anything from food, fruit, clothes to plants, and she had no respect for other forms of animal life. If goats have nine lives like cats, then Gladys had likely used up more than nine of her lives already. Indeed, Gladys was down to her last one. Then the miracle happened and Gladys saved herself. Gladys saved herself, big time!
Tipene, Tim Haere : farewell, Jack, farewell: In this poetic and moving tale, we watch a year in the life of one whanau through the eyes of a little girl. A death is mourned; a birth is celebrated; and life comes full circle.