#when someone can explain your book better than you can!!

"You can enjoy this book for the rich illustration and sweet story. Or you can appreciate it for its part in breaking down toxic masculinity as our hero comes to understand that emulating the other guys in his friend group might be stopping him from becoming who he truly wishes to be."

Kia ora Moana Ete and Capital Magazine !! 😍❤️

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Winners of the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year 2019!!!!!

Sooo...ummm…well….. we kind of just WON THE MARGARET MAHY BOOK OF THE YEAR & BEST PICTURE BOOK at the 2019 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults!!! AAARRRRGgggghhhhHHHHH (insert humble emoji here 😂)!!!!!!!! It was such a special night and it was so wonderful to share it with the amazing Huia Publishers team, our families, the talented fellow finalists, and SO many of our friends, colleagues, and supporters from the incredible children´s literature community of which we feel very privileged to be part of. Thank you to you all – you’re THE BOMB!!! We have been so overwhelmed with lovely messages and kind words of support. We’re really sorry we haven’t had a chance to respond to many just yet (6 week old Finn has been quite the diva since his first taste of the spotlight!! Ha ha - SIGH…😔) but please know that we truly appreciate it all. Thank you so much!!!! ✊BOMB LIFE 4EVA #NZCYA

The Sapling Reviews the NZ Children's and Young Adults Book Awards Finalists

Read ALL about The Sapling's thoughts on the FULL LINE UP of finalists (here) at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults 2019!! We´re feeling pretty wrapped about the lovely things they said about 'The Bomb'☺️❤️🥰
"The most quintessentially Kiwi summer book ever, perhaps? A super colourful, sumptuously illustrated tale of perseverance and paving your own way."
"Josh Morgan's illustrations are luscious and colourful and the perfect match for Sacha's clever words. Match made in heaven."

Weekend Herald Review - 2 March 2019

"A quintessentially New Zealand picture book, this lively and lavishly illustrated story is a humorous tale about a young boy searching for the right methods and techniques to do the perfect bomb into the water."
"It's funny, inspirational, enjoyable and packed full of characters and scenes instantly recognisable to young New Zealanders."
We were VERY excited to see this great review of The Bomb in the Weekend Herald on Saturday!! 😁 Thanks heaps nzherald.co.nz !!!

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The Sapling - Best Picture Books for New New Zealanders

So, they've done it again... Thalia and The Sapling have created yet another awesome piece to be super proud of – this time a list of books to provide a warm "nau mai, haere mai" and introduction to Aotearoa for refugees and other NEW New Zealanders! We are well pleased that The Bomb made it onto this list and is in some VERY FINE company! Ngā mihi nui The Sapling! 🤓 😍 🤩 xo Follow this link to see the full list at The Sapling.

20 Best Kids Books of 2018 - The Spinoff

Thanks very much to Briar Lawry from Little Unity for selecting The Bomb & Te Pohū to be part of the Spinoff’s 20 Best Kids Books of 2018, Christmas shopping guide!! What a beautiful selection!! Julian is a Mermaid is one of my absolute favourites and it’s fantastic to see fellow Huia author Steph Matuku’s Flight of the Fantail on the list too!! Good job The Spinoff!!

Click here to see the full recommendations.