The House That Went to Sea by Melinda Szymanik, illustrated by Gabrielle Klepatski, Duck Creek Press, RRP $29.99, ISBN 9781877378430, Available now.

Melinda Szymanik has written several children’s books including the NZ Post Children’s Choice Award-winning The Were Nana, and it’s easy to see why she’s a favourite with The House That Went to Sea. This beautifully produced book is a great little story, easy to read out loud and has that perfect combination of adventure and a little touch of sadness that makes the best kind of children’s books.

Michael has to go and stay with his Granny Gale while his parents go off adventuring and it’s fair to say he is not happy about it. Then Granny sets them to sail in her house… and of course they end up having adventures of their own. The lovely illustrations perfectly complement the story. Definitely recommended.

Beach Bag Boogie by Lindsay Wood, illustrated by Rebekah Holguin, Harper Collins, RRP $19.99, ISBN 9781869509033, Available now.

Definitely one for the summer months! Beach Bag Boogie is that tale of a good old Kiwi summer camping holiday combined with a bit of dancing, swinging, jigging and singing.

Highly recommended for playcentres, kindergartens, schools or any reading-out-loud-to-groups situation, but personally I think I’d find it to take a fair amount of commitment for home reading – probably a book you wouldn’t want to read every night (for example) so more of a special occasion tale (hide it in winter perhaps ).

The illustrations are particularly superb with amazing use of colour and a nice NZ feel without being too obvious about it. A great gift book.

Christmas in the Bush by Lindy Kelly, illustrated by Lyn Kriegler, Harper Collins, RRP $19.99, ISBN 9781869508807, Available now.

A slightly different but still traditional feeling picture book that tackles a subject lots of New Zealand kids deal with at Christmas but not many people talk about – spending Christmas with divorced parents. Josh usually spends Christmas with his Mum but this year he’s going to his Dad’s on the farm. But things are different on the farm. Does that mean Christmas won’t be any fun?

I really liked the way this book deftly and easily illustrates an idea that so many adults have difficulting getting to grips with: separated parents will do separate activities with their kids, and the kids will get to learn new things, appreciate new experiences AND enjoy themselves either way. This is an easy book to read out loud (though probably more appealing to slightly older kids) and provides a good story for kids who are starting to enjoy reading to themselves too, especially as the illustrations have plenty to keep them interested.