RECOMMENDED PUBLICATIONS

Released in 2020, the latest book from renowned author Gillian Candler is the 'New Zealand Nature Heroes' handbook, designed to inspire children to be conservationists. Aimed at the middle primary school level, the book features stories of 15 different nature 'heroes', people, past and present, who are working to understand and protect New Zealand's natural world. These inspirational profiles are supported by information about key animals, plants and their habitats, each one matched with an authentic activity that children themselves can do to contribute in a constructive way towards improving our environment.

The aim of the book is to encourage our children to become citizen scientists, engaged with our local environment. 

Published by Potton and Burton, Nelson, the book is available on-line and in good bookshops. 

'At the beach', by Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud, won the Elsie Locke medal for non-fiction in the 2013 Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa Awards and was a finalist in the 2014 NZ Post Children's Book Awards.

It may be just what you need to introduce the youngsters to life on the shore. 

'under the ocean', launched in September 2014, was inspired by children's responses to At the Beach. The book gives young children plenty of opportunity to talk about a variety of marine habitats. They can 'explore' underwater reefs, the sea floor, the open ocean and the deep ocean, along with the animals that live in them.

'up the river' is the most recent of six books by these same authors. Released in September 2017, it explores New Zealand's rivers, lakes and wetlands and is therefore ideal for children who want to learn more about Pāuatahanui Inlet and its surrounding natural habitats. It shows how various native species depend on a healthy environment to thrive and are often used to assess the health of our Inlet.

We highly recommend all three books, which will particularly appeal to the 8-year-old and older. Now available in both hardback and paperback from good bookshops and from Potton and Burton (formerly Craig Potton Publishers).