This story charts the journey of Hineraukatauri – a cocoon/chrysalis who has entered a new realm, the human world, without their voice. It’s dark and wet, Ranginui and Papatūānuku have not yet separated or are in the process of having their offspring create space between the two.

In visiting each of the offspring, they gift Hineraukaturi a different component or aspect of music, ultimately her voice, represented in the shape of the Pūtōrino. Renowned musician and composer, Hirini Melbourne happens across the shape, and his breath, in playing it, gives life to all the gifts as he makes beautiful music through this instrument.

Format: Soft cover, 210 mm x 270 mm
Published: May 31, 2024
ISBN: 978-1-77550-824-3
Language: Te Reo Māori
RRP: $22NZD

Endless sunshine, curious and carefree by the sea.

This beautifully illustrated book evokes the magic of a New Zealand Summer Holiday.

Illustrations by Ginney Deavoll

Format: 36 pages, Paperback
Published: October 1, 2022
ISBN: 9780473659028
Language: English

Children understand hundreds of words and concepts before they can communicate verbally, and teaching basic signs to children benefits both them and their parents by providing a means of communication before and during speech development. “First Signs – Everyday Words 2 builds upon the foundation of the first book by introducing even more essential signs. This expanded collection helps you continue to enhance communication with your little one, easing frustration by empowering them to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs more effectively.

You can begin introducing signs as early as you want (the earlier you do means more practice for you!), but studies show babies as young as six months old can remember and recognise a sign. By eight months some children are able to imitate gestures or communicate using simple one-word signs.

First Signs contains 13 New Zealand Sign Language signs with details and illustrations on how to do them.

Series: First Signs

Published: October 1st, 2024
ISBN: 9780473716813
Language: English, NZSL

About the Author
Jenna lives in Auckland with her husband, three-year old daughter, and new born baby boy. Her signature style and quality craftsmanship made her a hit at craft markets where she built a passionate following of fellow art lovers. It was these same followers (along with family and friends) who encouraged her to do what she loved and to never stop creating – a journey which culminated in her first published book A, B Seek in 2017. She has then gone on to create 3 more books including the new sign language books.

Jenna taught her daughter sign as a baby but found it hard to find resources with NZ sign. After learning sign through classes and feedback from people in the deaf community she went on to create these resources in hope to help others.

In between creating she focuses her time on her children, raising them with an appreciation and respect for her Cook Island and Māori heritage.

Children understand hundreds of words and concepts before they can communicate verbally, and teaching basic signs to children benefits both them and their parents by providing a means of communication before and during speech development. “First Signs” gets you started with key signs to help you communicate with your little one, easing frustration (for everyone!) by giving them a means to express their wants and needs.

You can begin introducing signs as early as you want (the earlier you do means more practice for you!), but studies show babies as young as six months old can remember and recognise a sign. By eight months some children are able to imitate gestures or communicate using simple one-word signs.

First Signs contains 13 New Zealand Sign Language signs with details and illustrations on how to do them.

Series: First Signs

Published: January 1st, 2022
ISBN: 9780473651923
Language: English, NZSL

About the Author
Jenna lives in Auckland with her husband, three-year old daughter, and new born baby boy. Her signature style and quality craftsmanship made her a hit at craft markets where she built a passionate following of fellow art lovers. It was these same followers (along with family and friends) who encouraged her to do what she loved and to never stop creating – a journey which culminated in her first published book A, B Seek in 2017. She has then gone on to create 3 more books including the new sign language books.

Jenna taught her daughter sign as a baby but found it hard to find resources with NZ sign. After learning sign through classes and feedback from people in the deaf community she went on to create these resources in hope to help others.

In between creating she focuses her time on her children, raising them with an appreciation and respect for her Cook Island and Māori heritage.

Children understand hundreds of words and concepts before they can communicate verbally and teaching them signs gives you and your little one a helping hand as they connect with the world around them, develop interests, and (most importantly) learn basic language skills.

‘First Signs - animals’ paves the way with some favourite animal signs as a fun extension or introduction to pre-verbal communication skills.

Series: First Signs

Published: October 1st, 2023
ISBN: 9780473674120
Language: English, NZSL

About the Author
Jenna lives in Auckland with her husband, three-year old daughter, and new born baby boy. Her signature style and quality craftsmanship made her a hit at craft markets where she built a passionate following of fellow art lovers. It was these same followers (along with family and friends) who encouraged her to do what she loved and to never stop creating – a journey which culminated in her first published book A, B Seek in 2017. She has then gone on to create 3 more books including the new sign language books.

Jenna taught her daughter sign as a baby but found it hard to find resources with NZ sign. After learning sign through classes and feedback from people in the deaf community she went on to create these resources in hope to help others.

In between creating she focuses her time on her children, raising them with an appreciation and respect for her Cook Island and Māori heritage.

This is the much-loved children’s picture book Where is the Green Sheep? translated into te reo Māori. The blue sheep, red sheep, bath sheep and bed sheep are here, along with a cast of sheep involved in zany antics, but the green sheep is only found on the last page. This translation is by award-winning translator Kawata Teepa.

Format: Hard cover, 220 x 232 mm
Published: November 1, 2021
ISBN: 9781775503057
Language: Te Reo Māori
RRP: $20NZD

Te Wheke the octopus loves to collect things – pirate coins, glossy pearls, sparkly lamps, old toys, broken toasters. But one day, he wants to get eight treasures all at once, and that gets him into trouble.

Format: Soft cover, 210 mm x 270 mm
Published: November 1, 2021
ISBN: 9781775506591
Language: English
RRP: $20NZD

Te Wheke the octopus loves to collect things – pirate coins, glossy pearls, sparkly lamps, old toys, broken toasters. But one day, he wants to get eight treasures all at once, and that gets him into trouble.

Format: Soft cover, 210 mm x 270 mm
Published: January 10, 2022
ISBN: 9781775506591
Language: Te Reo Māori
RRP: $20NZD

Beau and the Stone Giant is a rhyming extravaganza, masterfully illustrated with comic book font. Children 5 - 10 will enjoy this heroic tale with its three dog heroes who are based on real life dogs!

Beau and the Stone Giant, an adventure story of how three furry dog heroes help a stone giant to get the cure for his stone malady and save the day with fun, courage and love.

Published: August 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780473717865
Language: English

Meet the Author

Hydie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from the University of Auckland. Children's Literature and New Zealand Literature were her favourite classes. She also has a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary).

When not working or writing, Hydie loves to spend time with her family and friends and go for walks in nature. Hydie lives in Auckland with her husband and her dog Beau. She has one daughter and a stepson.

As a child, Hydie spent a lot of time in the King Country of New Zealand on her aunty and uncle's sheep and beef farm. The days were spent out horseback riding on the farm with her cousin and in the early evenings she would read all the children's books that her aunty had. This was the beginning of Hydie's love for children's literature.

Agatha is a little girl with some big feelings. Sometimes those feelings can get a bit overwhelming and she just wants to cry!

During those times, she likes to take a moment and imagine herself in a forest, where all her emotions turn into little creatures. Sometimes it can take a while before she can see them properly, but once she gets to know them and makes friends with them, they become an important part of her forest.

Agatha's Forest is a great way to introduce kids to CBT principals of self-awareness and naming emotions and practices like meditation and sitting with your feelings rather than reacting to them.

A great resource for parents, classrooms and kids who want to learn how to manage tricky feelings like anxiety, anger, shyness and more - the only limits are your own imagination!

Series: A Kids Intro, #4

Format: 40 pages, paperback
Published: 4 September, 2023
ISBN: 9780473692674
Language: English

A Kiwi Christmas Tale about a wee tree who believes in himself to shine brightly.
With not a snowflake in sight, it is enjoyed by Kiwi kids at Christmas, asking for it to be read "again".

A tale of Christmas acknowledging our unique summer celebration and encouraging tamariki to read Te Reo.

Published: November1st, 2023
ISBN: 9780473713232
Language: English

About the Author
Debbie is a self published, kids author who is loving the process of words on paper becoming words in a book, read by our gorgeous Kiwi kids.
My first book Taika's Christmas Tale is also available in Te Reo.

A Kiwi Christmas Tale about a wee tree who believes in himself to shine brightly.
With not a snowflake in sight, it is enjoyed by Kiwi kids at Christmas, asking for it to be read "again".

Published: November1st, 2023
ISBN: 9780473605834
Language: English

About the Author
Debbie is a self published, kids author who is loving the process of words on paper becoming words in a book, read by our gorgeous Kiwi kids.
My first book Taika's Christmas Tale is also available in Te Reo.