In The Wild

I love it when readers shoot photos of my books in the wild. Here's the Kiwi Critters hanging out in the shop at Tiritiri Matangi, recently spotted by Sally.

Review of Just Keep Going by Alan Dingley

“Just Keep Going is a story about new beginnings, new family and friends, with a touch of environmental mystery thrown in.” A heart-warming review by none other than New Zealand’s Reading Ambassador Alan Dingley.

review in Mapgies, an australian print-only magazine talking about books for children

Super thrilled to received this amazing review. Here’s an extract from the summary at the end:

"Donna Blaber delivers vivid landscapes that do New Zealand's coastlines justice and keeps the story moving along with enough attention spread between the characters, so that the reader stays involved and engaged in the story, rooting for our heroine. This novel will definitely appeal to 8-12-year-old readers. And it has me seeking out the two previous titles in the trilogy!" Alan Dingley, Magpies, Talking About Books for Children.

Off to the Beach!

Aw, the joy! My heart sings. What incredible page turning skills! Thanks to Steve for sending this through. You've made my day!

Find out more about the Kiwi Critters’ story, Off to the Beach

Iconic Whale Bay is the setting for the Just series of novels for 9-12 year olds

The Tutukaka coast is the setting for all three books in the Just series and anyone who has visited experiences the pure wonder of this coastline.

Whale bay on the tutukaka coast WHERE BOOK CHARACTER JESSIE WAS THE FIRST TO FIND AN INTRIGUING OBSIDIAN COBBLE BELONGING TO HINE, A GIRL FROM THE MOA HUNTER DAYS

The rocky coves, the sandy bays, deep-reaching estuaries with golden sand bars and boats tugging on their moorings as the tide does its thing; the surf, the lullaby of the sea rocking you to sleep every night. There’s even a lighthouse. The coast is a total paradise for kids and there’s a vast array of sea birds, North Island brown kiwi, visits from kaka from the offshore islands, and the idyllic Poor Knights Marine Reserve renowned for its wealth of sea creatures. Orca and bottlenose dolphins are regular visitors, and dare I say it, imagination engaged, the mermaids. And did I mention that a bell sounds at Ngunguru School when dolphins are sighted in the estuary? So it made total sense, to me at least, that Just Keep Going would feature a dolphin. With more books in the series on the way, the Tutukaka coast provides an ongoing source of inspiration, and a splendid setting for all kinds of magic to happen.

There are currently three books in the series. They are stand alone titles and can be read in any order.

Obsidian cobble inspires the Just book series

A few summers ago I found an amazing obsidian stone at Whale Bay. It was one of a kind and had unusual markings, spurring time spent researching its possible origins. I found that while a fair amount of obsidian can be found in Northland, it’s mostly in the form of flakes or blades, fashioned rock traded from Tūhua (Mayor) Island in the Bay of Plenty. The island has plentiful supplies of stone which was broken off in slabs and traded. My stone however is a cobble, a rounded whole piece, measuring approximately 8 x 5 cm. It is more likely it was produced in a local volcanic eruption. After further research  I found two possible sources: Huruiki and the Bay of Islands. With Huruiki located a mere twenty kilometres or so up the coast, it made sense that this volcano was the source.

THE OBSIDIAN STONE I FOUND AT WHALE BAY, INSPIRING THE JUST BOOK SERIES FOR KIDS AGED 9-12 YEARS

I kept thinking about the stone, it would randomly pop into my mind and I’d come up with a range of imaginative reasons as to how it came to be washed ashore at Whale Bay. Then I read more about the Moa Hunters, who carried obsidian cobbles as they were easily transportable, and made a fresh blade every time a moa was killed. As you can see in the photo above, if you apply your imagination, you can see where blades of stone have been chipped off. Of course my stone belonged to an ancient Moa Hunter. She was a young girl; the keeper of the stone. Naturally it then followed that a young girl found the same stone, hundreds of years later, washed ashore at Whale Bay. With this in mind, I sat down and wrote the first story in the series, Just End It, setting up for a series of equally unusual magical stones to be found by Em, in Just Remember, and Becky in Just Keep Going.

Further books are planned for the series, but each is written so it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel. The stories suit readers aged 9-12 years, weaving modern issues with elements of fantasy and magical realism.

Ask for these stories at the library or your favourite book store. Click on the photos for a description of each story.

Just End It reviewed by Katarina Stretton for Hooked on Books

Hooked on Books is an incredible website for youth where young readers are able to submit reviews of books they’ve recently read.

Reviewer Katarina Stretton says, “The author writes to entertain, and she explores bullying and how you can deal with it, especially with your friends and family by your side.”

I really enjoyed reading Katarina’s review. The full review is available here read more.

Just End It reviewed by Jessica Dowling for Hooked on Books

“Just End It is about a girl called Jessie, who gets bullied by her own best friend. She blames it on a mysterious rock she found at Whale Bay. Then her ex-best friend starts cyberbullying her, and everything goes downhill.

I really loved how the author Donna Blaber put a little bit of fantasy in the story. There’s just enough so you get a clear image of what is going on. She also teaches the readers a lot about Māori mythology and traditions.

I think the author’s aim was to tell people how bad bullying is and how to deal with it. I think a lot of teenagers will relate to the story.

I really like how Jessie dealt with the bullying and found a way to get over it. It gives you confidence in your own friendships.”

Hooked on Books is an incredible website for youth where young readers are able to submit reviews of books they’ve recently read, with the chance to get published. It’s part of the work of READ NZ Te Pou Muramura who also provide a great Writers in Schools programme.

I really enjoyed reading Jessica’s review. For the whole review read more.

Just End It reviewed by Amelia Bayliss for Hooked on Books

“Donna Blaber has written this story very well and has paid attention to detail. I found she will go into depth about something and has quite a cool way of writing about it. I would definitely recommend this book.” Amelia Bayliss

A lovely review written by 12 year old Amelia Bayliss for Hooked on Books. Read more.

Just End It reviewed by Isabelle Woods for Hooked on Books

“Blaber is an excellent author. I would definitely recommend this book to any adventure or mystery book lover. This is by far the best book I’ve ever read, and I’ve read a lot of books – and I mean a lot.” Isabelle Woods.

https://hookedonbooks.org.nz/an-interesting-and-mysterious-read-isabelle-woods/

“This is an amazing book. Once I finished a chapter, I just wanted to keep reading because I wanted to know what was next. I was just intrigued to find out whether Jessie becomes friends with Hayley again and even if she becomes friends with Alexia as well. It’s such a good read, I hardly got bored. I’ve read it so many times and I don’t ever think I’ll ever get sick of it. All the chapter headings are all intriguing; you can predict what might happen next.” Isabelle Woods

Isabelle wrote this tremendous review for Hooked on Books, an incredible website for youth where young people submit reviews of books they’ve recently read. It’s part of the positive work performed by READ NZ Te Pou Muramura.

For the full review read more.

Just Remember reviewed by Molly Molving-Lilo for Magpies Magazine

“There is something uniquely appealing about how Donna Blaber has addressed the mature themes of mental health, grief and depression to cater to a younger audience, while also making the book different, engaging and easy to read with a magical Kiwiana touch.” Molly Molving-Lilo

A wonderful review of “Just Remember” written by Molly Molving-Lilo. Magpies is an Australian magazine reviewing the latest children’s and young adult books published in Australia and New Zealand and features many articles of great interest to people involved in children’s literature – parents, librarians, teachers, students and academics.

Just Remember reviewed by Natalya Newman for Hooked on Books

“Donna Blaber’s Just Remember follows her previous book, Just End It, in a series that presents magic in everyday life, and in places that many New Zealand readers will be familiar with. This book looks into recovery from trauma, survivor’s guilt, grief, loss, and all of the complexities that arise – both mentally and physically – when a loved one passes away. Just Remember does not sugarcoat the grief that Em’s family goes through after the death of her Dad, and proves to be an eye-opening warning to drivers.

This novel puts heavy emphasis on the strong connections forged between family members and friends, and also how the faintest touch of magic can bring it all together in ways that can be unexpected. Magic in the modern world can be anything. Perhaps it’s getting home to see your pet waiting for you, or even finding something you lost a long time ago. Experiences can forge beautiful memories and connections between people, and Blaber expertly highlights the support that can be found within those connections throughout the duration of this book.” Natalya Newman.

I really enjoyed reading Natayla Newman’s review of Just Remember for Hooked on Books, an incredible website for youth where young adult (YA) readers are able to submit reviews of books they’ve recently read.

Natalya is talented young writer and has done a stunning job. For the full review, read more.

Just Remember reviewed by Chris Reed for NZ Booklovers

“Just Remember is a beautiful story of independence, magic and reconnection. Em (Emilia - although she isn’t a fan of her full name) is still reeling from the death of her father and so, with her mum not coping with the loss, she goes to live with her Nana in Matapouri. But things aren’t what they initially seem…” Chris Reed

I was thrilled with this enticing review cleverly scribed by Chris Reed for NZ Booklovers and featuring in the recommended reads section. For the full review read more.

Visit Whale Bay where book characters come to life

Did you know that Whale Bay which features in all the books in the Just series is a real place? You can hike there from Matapouri, or park in the carpark at the top of the hill on Matapouri Road, about one kilometre past the Matapouri Store. From here the path meanders through shady stands of giant pūriri, before dropping down to the beach, where a thick tangle of pōhutukawa trees await, their octopus trunks splayed wide upon the sand. Beyond, lies the sparkling blue bay where book characters Jessie, Em and Becky, found the mystical obsidian stones bringing the magic of this special part of New Zealand alive.

Whale Bay is a place where new treasures can always be found. Many additions to my shell collection have been made here. To find the best, I follow the high tide mark, scanning for hidden treasures between swathes of seaweed, guarded by armies of bouncing sand hoppers.

But sometimes it’s worth following the waterline, keeping your eyes alert to the surging waves firing shiny shells and sea-smoothed pebbles onto the sand. This is how I stumbled upon the stone which inspired Just End It, it caught my eye, and when the wave peeled back, I scooped it up.

Treasure hunting aside, this is also a great beach to have a swim. It’s lovely and sandy as far out as you wish you go, and at each end of the bay there are rocky reefs, havens for marine life, so make sure you bring your mask and snorkel.

When you’re done, there’s plenty of shade for picnicking on soft sand beneath the old pōhutukawa trees, and there’s a DOC loo at one end of the beach should you need it.

So what are you waiting for? Come and take a look sometime, you may even find some treasure of your own.

Trainsurfer book review

Written by Kate S Richards

Available from Kiwi Kids Read Kiwi Books

This book sang to my heart the moment I began reading it. Quite simply I could not put it down. Set in South Africa, it brought memories to the fore of my travels prior to Nelson Mandela’s election. The writer deals with several challenging universal themes including white privilege, conveying them in a gentle, easy to digest way. Some scenes are filled with tear jerking sadness, and are soothed by others of hope and joy.

The star of Trainsurfer is Jabu, an underprivileged boy who lives in a slum. The story begins with his mother’s death in a Johannesburg hospital in the 1980s, during a time when becoming an orphan in apartheid South Africa was particularly unsafe.

The story is action-packed, and quickly moves to Durban where Jabu forms a camaraderie with street kids and learns how to survive with no income. At a local beach he forms an unlikely friendship with a group of privileged white surfers. He meets Billie first, a girl with a huge heart and strong moral compass, and later her surfer friends, Josh and Kyle, the latter whom has a lot to learn. The characters forge strong bonds, confront their insecurities, and overcome racist views. Multiple threads make up this story, and all are satisfyingly sewn up by the end.

This novel includes a language glossary located at the front of the book. It lists South African slang and surfing jargon, and references Bantu, Zulu and Afrikaans languages.  Although meaning is readily derived from the text, I enjoyed referring to it to discover deeper meaning.  

Trainsurfer is a coming of age adventure tackling weighty issues, and is suitable for readers aged eleven plus. It’s also a must-read for anyone of any age who enjoys a jolly good yarn.

Highly recommended.

Arturo and the Glitter Glue book review

By Elaine Williams, illustrated by Hannah Sames

Available from Kiwi Kids Read Kiwi Books

Arturo is my new best friend. I bet he’d be full of amazing stories to share over a cuppa. Bold and daring, this is a mouse who likes to live dangerously. He ventures from his mouse hole to collect food scraps on his nightly raids, hauling back anything that takes his fancy. His stash is a sight to behold – spoons, buttons, stamps, Lego blocks, dice, shells, jewellery – you name it, beautifully decorating his homely mouse hole.

However, someone is on to his thievery. Balou, the most cunning and feared cat around. Arturo and Balou have already had a run in, and Arturo has a scar to prove it, running across his face and down his chest. The mark of a hard won battle. The day Arturo got away. A boastful little beast he’s quite proud of it, believing himself to be the bravest and most daring mouse ever. It’s this brazen fearlessness that finally gets him into big trouble.

 Pride comes before a fall, and so it is in this fast-paced tale of rollicking rhyme. Arturo’s comes in a moment of over-excitement, when he discovers a glitter pen. He is so enamoured, he forgets he must be quiet. When ever-watchful, Balou “twitches her tail and narrows her eyes”, suddenly it’s all on.

 As Balou chases him relentlessly around the house, Arturo loses all of the items he’s collected that night, using them one by one to aid in his escape. What ensues is a classic cat and mouse chase, with all the thrills, spills, and excitement you’d expect from a story written to enthral children aged three plus.

 This picture book is an absolute joy to read and is a fine addition to the bookshelf. The illustrations, completed in a textured layering of watercolour paint, pen and pencil, are enchanting. I particularly enjoyed Arturo’s sweet inquisitive face with his long white whiskers, as well as his treasure trove of a mouse-house. Although the story is set at night, the illustrator has cleverly brightened key features, but without losing the sense of mousey sneakiness and shadowy night time effects.

Judging Huanui College's Flash Fiction competition

What a wonderful job it was to judge the Huanui College Flash Fiction Competition. The quality of the submissions was high and in every story I found sentences that made my heart sing, and description I could clearly imagine. Well done to everyone who entered.

The standard of writing in the Junior Section was extremely high and it was a tight race to the finish line.

There are a few writers who narrowly missed out and I would like to acknowledge the effort they put into their stories. Liam He, Katie McGregor, Carolyn Betterman, and Eliana Richling.

Third Place went to a story that was short but entirely complete.  I loved the beginning, I was instantly involved in the action and could see it all unfolding right in front of me. The first person viewpoint was a great choice for this story, and a sense of urgency pervaded throughout. “Carnage” by Lucas Ulrich

Second Place went to a story that was descriptive with a strong sense of place. It featured faultless language choices and used all of the senses to evoke atmosphere. “Agent” by Toby Hamilton.

First Place. In the end the story that took first place was nuanced, instantly engaging, and used a range of writing techniques. One of its greatest strengths is the writer’s voice which is natural and unforced. The icing on the cake for me was its well timed twist of humour; it was totally unexpected.  Simply brilliant! The settings and description are easy to follow and I’d happily follow this character into any land they may wish to take me. “Breathing Fire” by Rachael Jackson.

In the Senior Section the first and second place were hotly contested. But all the stories were high quality including story that is highly commended.: “For Myself” by Ellen Strachan.

Third Place. This writer displayed an excellent balance of dialogue and character movement.  The entry contained a lot of dialogue so it was quite different to the other entries in this field.   “I’ve Got Your Back” by Aroha Snowsill.

Second place The second place winner’s story was riveting, with perfectly polished poetic prose. It was a joy to read. “Zero O’Clock” by Natalya Newman.

First place. The winning piece was a complete story written in less than 300 words; and it haunted me for hours. It’s opening sentence “The rain cried into his clothes...” set the tone for this raw and thought provoking piece. In the end it left a question and an image that lingered, long after the last word had been read. “Desolation” by Kate Roberts.

Congratulations to all the winners! And a big thank you to Tracie Lark and everyone at Huanui College for putting this competition together and inviting me to be a judge!

Just End It reviewed by Sarah Matthewson for Magpies magazine

“The dialogue is authentic and the plot fast-paced, switching rapidly between daily life and supernatural, and countering toxic relationships with family warmth and genuine friendships.” Sarah Matthewson

I’m always grateful to receive fair and balanced reviews for Just End It. Magpies is an Australian magazine talking about books for children. It runs articles of interest to people involved in children’s literature – parents, librarians, teachers, students and academics in the field of children’s literature.

Waata the Weta book review

Written by Jo Carson-Barr; illustrated by Simon Barr

Available from Kiwi Kids Read Kiwi Books

Waata the Weta has a wild mop of funky red hair, the hugest teethy grin, an adventurous spirit, and more facial expressions than you could ever imagine in one so small.

Except Waata is not small, he is tall. What’s more, he’s brave not scared, he likes eating strange food, and he wants to have fun. Bored with the woodpile, he flies away in a bubble to find a new home, all the while asking himself, what could possibly go wrong? Plenty it would seem for an adventurous weta!

This is great story with short snappy text and lots of imagination. After the first read-through, it’s easy to retell Waata’s adventures in your own words, following the illustrations. Young children will also be able to relay the story, once they learn to follow the pictures in the right order.

There’s a lot of value in this book; it punches well above its 42 pages, courtesy of its illustrations. A quick count reveals 120 pictures; the vast majority comprising complex scenes. There’s hours worth of exploring and learning to be enjoyed (with a little person on your knee), discovering all the fine detailing. Five and six year olds will gobble this book up, and it will be popular with reluctant readers. 

This is a Kiwi story through and through. I love the cool names like Sticky Beak (the chicken), and the quirky expressions we can all relate to like “finger licking good”. The author uses onomatopoeia throughout, and it works really well to draw the reader in.

The rural scenes are spot on: the woodpile, the chicken coop, the tractor shed, as well as the larger landscapes and finer details such as flaxes and ferns, grass growing in the gutter (LOL!), jandals and work boots, and even red socks. Nice.

I gravitate towards maps and info graphics, so the inside front cover, which features the pictures and names of the main characters, is instantly appealing. Even better it doubles as a size guide of sorts comparing Waata the Weta with the likes of Banjo the dog. Constant layering is a highlight of this book; the more you look, the more you see.

There’s also a page showing the layout of the farm, and at the back there’s a nifty blackboard of facts, an age-appropriate everything-you-need-to-know about New Zealand weta, providing further opportunities for learning.

I would happily purchase this story for pre-schoolers, and primary school children aged 5-7 years. As previously mentioned it’s also a valuable resource for older, reluctant readers. At home, this book will become a firm favourite, and it deserves space in every library, pre-school and primary school.

Tropical treatery

Oh my! What else is there to say? I spent an hour of my morning enjoying a raw food chocolate treat at the Quail Cafe, washed down with a latte, and riveting conversation with a like-minded friend. Set in the lush subtropical shade of the Quarry Gardens in Whangarei, this is honestly set to become my new happy place!

Just quietly it’s a secret I’d rather keep, but for readers of my Just Series of books, who are heading out to Whale Bay, it must be shared as it’s only a couple of minutes drive off of State Highway 1. You can Google it for directions.

So now the secret’s out I guess I’ll see you there... I’ll be the one tucked up in a corner of the terrace reading, or writing, looking smugly content with a belly filled with... you guessed it... chocolate.