Based on a shadow box exhibition at the Arataki Visitor Centre in 2016/17, Kate Parker’s illustrations capture a sense of their original three dimensions, using a palette from kauri browns to kōwhai golds. These accompany a poetic text, which tells us of Kōwhai’s attempt to carry a message from the threatened kauri giants to the people. This gentle environmental story captured the judges’ hearts, both for its call to action and the original illustrations. They described the book as a classic in the making, delivering an important message for future generations in an engaging manner.

It’s the beginning of the summer holidays in Tolaga Bay and Charlie is soon to find out that “things are never, ever as they first appear to be”. Māori mythology is woven into this story as Charlie draws on the pūrākau and waiata that his Grandad has taught him, as well as the down-to-earth lessons from family life, to mediate between battling, sibling gods. The judges were impressed by the diversity of characters and their authenticity, and also by the inclusion of a character with a disability. They felt that this added depth to the story while not being the focal point, as did the underlying issue of humans disturbing the natural environment.

In The Pōrangi Boy, Shilo Kino has crafted, through hard edges and deftness of touch, a story that will endure. Niko’s intensely personal journey is woven through with threads of issues that permeate the lives of young people in Aotearoa – environmental damage, neocolonialism, bullying, poverty – but never slips into didacticism or preachiness. Where the story shines the brightest is in Shilo Kino’s uncontestable genius for crafting believable, authentic voices that are thoroughly rooted in this place, these times. You feel the shapes of the words in your mouth, hear the resonance they leave in your ears – and the resonance of these words and this book is clear and long-lasting.

The pages of this beautifully designed and illustrated cookbook await the splatters of eager young cooks as they learn essential life skills while creating simple meals or celebratory dishes. From basic cooking skills such as boiling an egg, chopping an onion and knowing when a cake is cooked, the novice home chef can go on to produce complete meals and desserts. The judges praised the varied and thoughtful content of the book, with recipes presented methodically and spaciously, accompanied by luscious illustrations, often with humour.

Laura Shallcrass has crafted a beautiful book, full of incredible illustration spreads that are highlighted through the sparse texts, and ever-changing views, from Hare’s full face to a star-speckled sky that spells out a message for us all. Browns and blues create Hare’s earthy environment, and Ruru is coloured a delicious dark that melts into the night-time background. Hare & Ruru: A Quiet Moment is a book with a relevant, modern message, which takes us up high into its branches yet keeps us safe and warm in Hare’s burrow. It delivers a beautiful world and message.

He kōrero ātaahua nei o ngā taniwha e rua, ko Ngake me Whātaitai. This is a wonderful journey for the reader in acknowledging the formation of Te Whanganui a Tara. Through storytelling, children learn about the pūtaiao of the hidden movements within Papatūānuku, and how these beautiful Māori placenames were given – “Ka tapaina ko Te Whatu Wai Moana.” This book encourages youth to aspire to new heights through the art of reading, literacy and writing. Ko te reo kia rere, ko te reo kia tika, ko te reo kia Māori. The author personifies this through the use of the tangata whenua mita, and the illustrator’s graphic interpretation lifts the quality of the kupu and kōrero to new horizons.

It is symbolic when the giant trees tell Kōwhai “each tiny seed holds the promise of great hope”. This is a call to action for Kōwhai to nurture each important seed, and leaves readers with hope for a positive future.This story has a poetic quality, and is threaded with themes of kaitiakitanga. Subtle images in a limited colour palette of browns and golds add to the stirring, deep feelings portrayed on each page. These connect the past and the present with sincerity and gentleness. Through Kōwhai and the Giants, we are led to believe in our personal power to effect change. A promising new talent is discovered.