DAM DISASTER is an Easy-Read for outdoor, active boys six to ten years old. It follows friends, Jay and Brandon, into the gully near Jay’s home where they build a dam in the small creek at the bottom. But all does not go to plan and they go on an unexpected journey. Book Synopsis: Jay and Brandon set off to build a dam in the gully near Jay’s home. Everything seems straight forward to begin with, but problems arise. Then they go on an unexpected journey. What happens next? Join the boys as they meet these challenges. This is a short Easy Read story to encourage the outdoors, active boy who is a reluctant reader, to find enjoyment in reading. ISBN 978-1-927215-41-8 Published with Oceanbooks. www.oceanbooks.co.nz also on www.wheelers.co.nz

More about Jay and Brandon’s adventures on the farm. This time Jay plans to build a hut in a tawa tree near his home. The challenge is the tree he has chosen is tall and scary, and the canopy’s branches too big to trim with a saw. Join Jay and Brandon as they discover a surprise solution to their problem. This is another Easy Read story to encourage the outdoors, active boy to find enjoyment in reading. Andria Brice’s sketches enhance the story with interest and empathy. ISBN: 978-0-473344-88-7

Stinky mud, a wild bull, cute calves, road works, and the beach—these are all part of Pop and Zac’s busy week with the blue truck. Come and join them on their adventure. Gordon Miller’s illustrations add interest and humour to this picture book which is enjoyed by the children and their parents. ISBN: 978-0-473351-13-7

POWERFUL PUNCTUATION is a self-published, small, handy reference for those punctuation dilemmas we so often wonder about. Most of your questions about basic punctuation will be answered in this little book.

Te Ara Mo Te Rongopai — the Gateway of the Gospel

New Zealand’s colonial history began when Samuel Marsden found his young Maori friend Ruatara near death on a convict ship bound for Australia. Five years earlier Northland chiefs, Te Pahi and Hongi Hika, concerned about the negative influence of whalers and traders on the Maori people, had invited Marsden to New Zealand. The Boyd burning delayed this plan; it was now too dangerous to bring settlers to New Zealand. Once in Australia Marsden cared for Ruatara on his farm at Paramatta. Later he helped Ruatara introduce European agricultural skills to Rangihoua Pa at Oihi Bay in the Bay of Islands. The Gospel of Jesus Christ brought peace between tribes, a peace also facilitated by the successful introduction of wheat and vegetable crops. Join Ruatara and Marsden on their adventures as they begin this shared journey towards a better New Zealand-Aotearoa. Simon Fletcher’s illustrations bring more life to this historical story, for ten to fourteen year-olds and older. ISBN: 978-0-473351-12-0

TUI’S FRIENDS, based on the antics of a bossy tui in Jan’s native garden, is a delightful picture book for three to ten year-olds, illustrated by Ruth Reinsfield. It is best read aloud to enjoy the alliteration used throughout the story. Your children will learn about the character of seven of New Zealand’s native birds and the native trees in which they live. It is published by Studio Seven Publishers in Inglewood, NZ. ISBN: 978-1-877219-93-1,  1877219932