Kiwi Kids Book Chat

Kiwi Kids Book Chat

Join Penny Walch and Julie Huggins as they delve deep into Kiwi Kids Lit and the authors and illustrators who have created it.

  1. 10/25/2025

    KKBC Season 3 : Episode 8 - Jennifer Beck

    Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins. In our monthly podcast, we are committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon. This week we are chatting about the amazing work of Jennifer Beck. Books highlighted in the episode: A Present From the Past Gypsy Day on the Farm My Mum is Queen of the Road Nobody's Dog Remember that November Stefania's Dancing Slippers The Bantam and the Soldier The Anzac Violin Torty and the Soldier Whetu, the Little Blue Duck

    29 min

  2. 09/27/2025

    KKBC Season 3 : Episode 7 - NZ Book Award finalists 2025

    Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins. In our monthly podcast, we are committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon. This week we are chatting about many of the 2025 NZ Book Award finalists (minus the Junior Fiction, which feature in Episode 6.) Books highlighted in the episode: Beddy Bye Time in the Kōwhai Tree by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Lily Uivel Mataali’i by Dahlia Malaeulu, illustrated by Darcy Solia Ten Nosey Weka by Kate Preece, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White Titiro Look by Gavin Bishop You Can’t Pat a Fish by Ruth PaulBear by Kiri Lightfoot, illustrated by Pippa Keel Situ Gracehopper by Mandy Hager Migration by Steph Matuku The Mess of Our Lives by Mary-Anne Scott The Paradise Generation by Sanna Thompson Black Magic by David Riley, illustrated by Munro Te Whata Dear Moko: Māori Wisdom for our Young Ones by Hinemoa Elder Ruru: Night Hunter by Katie Furze, illustrated by Ned Barraud The Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi by Ross Calman Tui Pea Luva by Mele Tonga Grant, illustrated by Luca Walton Alice and the Strange Bird by Isaac du Toit Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro, illustrated by Rehua Wilson written by Elizabeth  Gray Poem for Ataahua, illustrated by Sarah Wilkins, written by Alistair Te Ariki Campbell Sad Sushi, Anna Aldridge Brave Kāhu and the Pōrangi Magpie by Shelley Burne-Field Play Wild by Rachel Clare The Witch of Maketu and the Bleating Lambs by Anika Moa, illustrated by Rebecca ter Borg The Writing Desk by Di Morris Check out ⁠this⁠ The Spinoff podcast episode which gives a good overview of all the Book Award finalists.

    27 min

  3. 08/30/2025

    KKBC Season 3 : Episode 6 - NZ Book Award finalists 2025 : Junior Fiction

    Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins. In our monthly podcast, we are committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon. This week were deep diving into the five finalists in the NZ Book Award Junior Fiction category. (And it does actually sound like we are diving... one day we will get the sound right!!) Four of our Kids Lit Quiz kids have reviewed the books and it is these wise words which you will be hearing today. Books highlighted in the episode: The Raven's Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble Brown Bird by Jane Arthur Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat by Li Chen Violet and the Velvets : the Case of the Missing Stuff by Rachael King Check out this The Spinoff podcast episode which gives a good overview of all the Book Award finalists.

    22 min

  4. 07/26/2025

    KKBC Season 3 : Episode 5 - the work of Maria Gill

    Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins. In our monthly podcast, we are committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon. We do need to apologise (again!) for the quality of the sound recording... we were super keen to get another episode out into the world after a bit of a break, BUT we had some internet issues in our usual recording space so had to record in a larger room than usual... resulting in some echo! This week we celebrate everything Maria Gill. Books highlighted in the episode: Anzac Animals by Maria Gill and Marco Ivancic Remarkable Animal Stories by Maria Gill Call of the Kokako by Maria Gill and Heather Arnold Toroa’s Journey by Maria Gill and Gavin Mouldey NZ Endangered Dolphins by Maria Gill Anzac Heroes by Maria Gill and Marco Ivancic Last of Maui's Dolphins by Maria Gill and Bruce Potter Kate Sheppard by Maria Gill and Marco Ivancic King’s Medal by Maria Gill and Alistair Hughes Ernest Rutherford by Maria Gill and Alistair Hughes Abel Tasman by Maria Gill and Marco Ivancic Epic NZ Adventurers by Maria Gill Ice Breaker! by Maria Gill and Alistair Hughes NZ Disasters by Maria Gill and Marco Ivancic Earthquakes by Maria Gill Volcanoes by Maria Gill Eruption by Maria Gill Rangitoto by Maria Gill Maria Gill's website

    27 min

  5. 04/26/2025

    KKBC Season 3 : Episode 4 - some fab new kiwi kids' books

    Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins. As we head into 2025, refreshed and ready to rock and roll, we have decided to change the podcast to a monthly affair, rather than fortnightly, as our school embarks on a number of big changes. We are still committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon. This week we celebrate a few new kiwi titles which you might want to check out! Books highlighted in the episode:The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra by Donovan Bixley Kia Ora Baby by Donovan Bixley Kia Ora Pepe by Donovan Bixley The Raven's Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey Charlie Tangaroa and the God of War by T.K. Roxborogh Bear by Kiri Lightfoot

    26 min

  6. 03/29/2025

    KKBC Season 3 : Episode 3 - The work of Ned Barraud

    Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins. As we head into 2025, refreshed and ready to rock and roll, we have decided to change the podcast to a monthly affair, rather than fortnightly, as our school embarks on a number of big changes. We are still committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon. This week we celebrate the remarkable body of work by Ned Barraud - conservationist and lover of animals. Books highlighted in the episode, in no particular order whatsoever: Under the Ocean by Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler In the Garden by Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler In the Bush by Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler Up the River by Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler At the Beach by Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler Where is it? by Ned Barraud Where is it in town? by Ned Barraud Tuatara by Katie Furze & Ned Barraud Ruru Night Hunter by Katie Furze & Ned Barraud Incredible Journeys by Ned Barraud Backyard Birds by Ned Barraud What Happened to the Moa by Ned Barraud NZ's Backyard Beasts by Ned Barraud Tohora by Ned Barraud Wild Coasts by Ned Barraud Animals of Aotearoa by Gillian Candler & Ned Barraud Tasting with your Feet by Ned Barraud Click HERE for the link to the NZ Life and Leisure article and interview with Ned Barraud. Follow the KKBC on Facebook: @kiwikidsbookchat Follow our library (not exclusively kiwi kids literature): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @southwellibrary ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SouthwellLibrary ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://southwelllibrary.blogspot.com/

    27 min

  7. 03/01/2025

    KKBC Season 3 : Episode 2 - Storylines Non Fiction Notable Books

    Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins. As we head into 2025, refreshed and ready to rock and roll, we have decided to change the podcast to a monthly affair, rather than fortnightly, as our school embarks on a number of big changes. We are still committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon. This week we celebrate the amazingness that is Storylines and do a bit of a deep dive into the Non Fiction Notable Books of 2024. Books highlighted in the episode, in no particular order whatsoever: Dear Moko by Dr Hinemoa Elder Piki Te Ora by Hira Nathan & Jessie Eyre Kiwi Bees Have Tiny Knees by Rachel Weston He Puka Ngohe Activity Book by Kat Quin The Beach Activity Book by Rachel Haydon Play Wild. Nature Craft Projects for Tamariki by Rachel Clare Tasting With Your Feet by Ned Barraud My Matariki Colouring and Activity Book by Dr Rangi Matamua & Miriama Kano Mawson in Antarctica by Anna Grochowicz Follow the KKBC on Facebook: @kiwikidsbookchat Follow our library (not exclusively kiwi kids literature): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @southwellibrary ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SouthwellLibrary ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://southwelllibrary.blogspot.com/

    30 min

  8. 02/01/2025

    KKBC Season 3 : Episode 1 - Top 20ish NZ Kids' Books to read before high school

    Welcome to the Kiwi Kids Book Chat with school librarians Penny Walch and Julie Huggins. As we head into 2025, refreshed and ready to rock and roll, we have decided to change the podcast to a monthly affair, rather than fortnightly, as our school embarks on a number of big changes. We are still committed to chatting about kiwi kids lit, and lit that kiwi kids are reading and can't wait to waffle with abandon. This week is a true Work of Waffle as we wax lyrical about our Top 20 (ish) New Zealand books which WE think children should read before high school! It is a real conversation, full of ums, ahhs and meanderings!!! Books highlighted in the episode, in no particular order whatsoever: Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd Dazzlehands by Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan The Bomb by Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan The Tomo by Mary Anne Scott From the Cutting Room Floor of Barney Kettle by Kate De Goldi Uncle Jack by Kate De Goldi Wildlife of Aotearoa by Gavin Bishop Gavin Bishop board books - E hoa, Mihi, Koro  Aotearoa by Gavin Bishop The House that Jack Built by Gavin Bishop Kiwi Bees Have Tiny Knees by Rachel Weston The Last Tuatara by Des Hunt Project Huia by Des Hunt Monkey Boy by Donovan Bixley How Maui Slowed the Sun by Donovan Bixley Under the Mountain by Maurice Gee I Am Not Esther by Fleur Beale End of the Alphabet by Fleur Beale The Grimmelings by Rachel King Samples From the Lab by Rob Foote Kowhai and the Giants by Kate Parker This is where I stand by Philippa Werry Ultrawild by Stephen Mushin Katipo Joe by Brian Falkner Shooting Stars by Brian Falkner Mophead by Selina Tusitala Marsh The Princess and the Foal by Stacy Gregg The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith Greedy Cat by Joy Cowley My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes by Eve Sutton Te Reo Singalong books by Sharon Holt The Little Yellow Digger by Betty and Alan Gilderdale Baa Baa Smart Sheep by Mark and Rowan Sommerset First to the Top (and others from David Hill & Phoebe Morris Famous New Zealanders series)  See Ya, Simon by David Hill My Brother’s War by David Hill Below by David Hill The Great Piratical Rumbustification by Margaret Mahy The Call of the Kokako by Maria Gill Incredible Journeys by Ned Barraud Remember that November by Jennifer Beck and Lindy Fisher Follow the KKBC on Facebook: @kiwikidsbookchat Follow our library (not exclusively kiwi kids literature): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @southwellibrary ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SouthwellLibrary ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://southwelllibrary.blogspot.com/

    37 min
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About

Join Penny Walch and Julie Huggins as they delve deep into Kiwi Kids Lit and the authors and illustrators who have created it.

Information

  • Creator
    Kiwi Kids Book Chat
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kiwi Kids Book Chat
  • Show Website
    Kiwi Kids Book Chat