“Submerged” Magical Tales by Kiwi Kids
Author: children aged from 5 to 11 years.
Designer: Liz Tui Morris
Published by: Learning Media Limited
Theme: Magic and wonder of New Zealand through children’s eyes.
Synopsis: Well, you can go to that peaceful place as you read about the magic of the sea and enjoy many other stories by today’s creative kids. These fifty stories from primary and intermediate storytellers from across the country will take you on an inspired journey full of fun and excitement. Sit back and enjoy!
Quote: A kiwi kid is all about eating a Jelly Tip ice cream after boogie boarding at the beach.
A kiwi kid screams the haka with the all Blacks on TV
Being a Kiwi Kid is cheering on the Silver Ferns until you’ve completely lost your voice.
It’s skimming a smooth, flat rock on the sea and finding precious jade stones in an untouched river.
It’s feeling like you’re free and no one can stop you as your adrenalin crushes after jumping off the tree house and onto the trampoline.
A kiwi kid has a love for animals–
Why I like this book: The above quote written by 10 year old Eva Werry and part of her work, ….is one of a number of children whose creative pieces were chosen for publication, by a panel of well-known children’s authors.
This book is the second in as many years, that New Zealand Post has encouraged young writers around the country to submit a story, sharing their writing magic with others. It is not until one looks around that we find we are surrounded by such talent. From poems or short prose, and flash fiction, writing of magic and mystery, from powerful experiences in the recent earthquakes, to pieces that will make you laugh or cry, this book is a feast of brilliant text imbedded in illustrations by well known illustrators.
Here is another sample this time by 12 year old Sophie McGill-Smith
When I’m a Hundred
When I reach the age of a hundred, I’ll sing and I’ll jump and I’ll fly. I won’t be one of those stay-at-home grannies, Who drink green tea and eat cucumber sammies. No, I’ll be flying my beautiful kite.
When I reach the age of a hundred, I’ll be the coolest old lady you’ve seen. I’ll drive around town with rings and a crown or explore where nobody’s been.
When I reach the age of a hundred, people will say, “My, oh my! She says she’s a hundred, But I think that’s rubbish. She only just looks ninety-nine!”
However, when I reach the age of a thousand, that’s quite a different story. I might then decide that I’m too old for kites, or I just can’t be bothered exploring
Resources and findings: A website of books to help with spelling, sentences, ..ads for teachers. http://www.wheelers.co.nz/browse/category/language-literature/
http://www.wheelers.co.nz/books/9780007203697-collins-junior-dictionary/ this is a lovely little kid friendly book , one that could be used at home as well as in schools helps with words and sentences. Improving the childs writing.
http://whatnow.tv/2011/?page_id=2978 A fun little website for kids
For more books with resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Picture Perfect Book.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Cool that this was written by kids themselves! Thanks for sharing.
Your welcome Beth! I liked the idea of sharing kids creative writing.
Love it when you share books from down under. I didn’t understand all of the expressions, and I have fun trying to figure out the meaning. And it is wonderful that the 50 creative kids wrote this book themselves. Adds so much more to the meaning. Really nice selection, Diane.
Thank you Pat, I knew you would love the poems, it was very hard picking just two of them, there were so many great stories and poems in this book. “Jelly Tip” ice cream is an old NZ favourite ice cream and “Silver Ferns” is our NZ Womens Netball team who have done extremely well in international games. Isn’t it wonderful the children love to write, here is a link to a write up about a couple of the young writers…..http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5753534/In-the-footsteps-of-the-famous
I recognise all those kiwi things. Great choice Diane!
LOL, so glad you liked this one, I thought of you while reading it… thanks Catherine.
What a cool book! I really love Sophie’s poem about being a granny 🙂 I’m so glad that you are recommending picture books like this one-a great multicultural choice.
Thankyou very much Kelly so pleased you liked this. Yes it would work very well for discussion in schools on multiculture to. Thankyou for picking that up.
What a fun book! I love the poems and I love that the children wrote it.
Yes isn’t it wonderful to see children being creative and trying their hand at writing…….. authors of the future!…… Thankyou for commenting Loni.
What a great idea to post a book that was written by kids! I love it! And what a great thing it would be to do with a class. Thanks so much for sharing this one!
Thankyou Susanna. Yes what a better way to interest children than use something created by children. The books illustrations and cleverly placed text is sure to capture their attention. Work very well in class creating lots of discussion.
Stories written by children? Would be perfect for my daughter right now. Thanks for sharing!
Your welcome Julie. I am sure your daughter would be delighted with the colourful and interesting book.
Tis looks like a great idea for a book! I love to read what other kids write. Thanks for telling us about it 🙂
Erik
Your welcome Erik, so glad you liked it. Hopefully you might be able to pick it up through Amazon.com . I am an employee of NZ Post Ltd (for over 30yrs) and for the past 15 years they have sponsored and held awards for up and coming writers in NZ. This was their idea to get children interested in writing. This is there 2nd year and second book.
Thankyou for your comment.
Having spent one VERY SHORT week in New Zealand at the age of 23, I love the expressions from these children! They are true to the culture of the people and bring back fond memories for me. Thank you for sharing!
Thankyou so much Tracy for your lovely comment. The book is full of fun expressions that are unique to kiwi kids. Heres hoping you may return to our country sometime in the future. Merry Christmas to you and family.