Gillian Candler, Author

Writing about Nature in New Zealand/ Aotearoa

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Examples of pop-up cards

Making Native Bird Pop-Ups

Gillian Candler January 16, 2021January 16, 2021 Libraries, Nature, parents, Schools

Making native bird pop-up cards was a huge hit at Whitby Library last week. I’ve been taking part of the Porirua Library “Imagine This!” summer festival for children and this was the second workshop I ran.  Nature pop-up cards are…

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Kids Write About Nature

Kids Write About Nature

Gillian Candler April 20, 2020April 20, 2020 Nature, Schools, Uncategorized, Writing

Last year I ran some writing workshops with local children for Porirua Harbour Trust. I introduced the children to the idea of writing poems that could take on the shape of what they are writing about. Here are some of…

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cover of book

Stay at Home Nature Travel – reading recommendations

Gillian Candler March 24, 2020March 24, 2020 Nature, Non-fiction books

Right now people all around the world are hunkering down, travel plans cancelled, trips and events off. Those of us lucky enough to live among nature or close to wild places can still get out and about on solitary bird…

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Cover of New Zealand Nature Heroes book

Nature Heroes

Gillian Candler January 11, 2020January 10, 2020 Book news, Children's books, Nature, Schools

My latest book New Zealand Nature Heroes is 80 pages of “inspiration and activities for young conservationists”. Stories of scientists and volunteers …. … are matched with activities young people can do to be nature heroes themselves. I’m developing a website www.discovernature.nz/nature-heroes/ to carry…

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Cover of New Zealand Nature Heroes book

Bookshop Day Event

Gillian Candler October 16, 2019October 16, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Nature, Non-fiction books, parents, Uncategorized

Come along on at 2pm 26 October 2019 to the wonderful Schrödinger’s Books in Petone and take part in some nature-themed craft for kids. I’ll be signing books and showing a sneak preview of “New Zealand Nature Heroes”, which will…

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Native Trees and Plants Brought Vividly to Life

Native Trees and Plants Brought Vividly to Life

Gillian Candler July 10, 2019July 10, 2019 Nature, Non-fiction books, parents, Schools

The act of identifying and naming plants changes the way we see the bush. No longer is it a tangle of different greens, a confusing mass of different shape leaves. Bark, flowers, berries, leaves, all provide clues about the trees…

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Summer Nature Reading – New Zealand wildlife

Summer Nature Reading – New Zealand wildlife

Gillian Candler January 22, 2019January 22, 2019 Nature, Non-fiction books, Uncategorized

My summer reading in 2018/19 included these two excellent titles. The first is the field guide of reptiles and amphibians that we’ve all been waiting for! The second is my new ‘go-to’ book about New Zealand birds. Reptiles and Amphibians of…

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Animals of Aotearoa cover

Meet the Author – Animals of Aotearoa

Gillian Candler October 19, 2018August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Libraries, Nature, Non-fiction books, parents, Schools

Out this month, is a 112 page hardback compendium of New Zealand wildlife. Including all the favourites from the ‘explore and discover’ series and over 100 more. Animals of Aotearoa is available to pre-order now from publisher Potton & Burton,…

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Writing a Nature Journal – for adults

Writing a Nature Journal – for adults

Gillian Candler September 23, 2018August 23, 2018 Nature, parents, Writing

Creating a Nature Journal is a great way to deepen your nature connection. Whether you want to record what you see on a nature walk, celebrate nature’s beauty, or keep track of what you’ve learned about nature – there’s a nature…

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Create Your Own Nature Journal – for children

Create Your Own Nature Journal – for children

Gillian Candler August 23, 2018 Nature, Writing

Creating a Nature Journal about a walk or trip is a great way to share your memories about the place you visited. You can use a bought notebook or make your own booklet (see how below). Observing nature on holiday…

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Whose Home is This? cover

New Book Out Now – Whose Home is This?

Gillian Candler May 16, 2018August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Nature, Non-fiction books

Launching this month is my new book for kiwi nature kids. “Whose Home is This?” Illustrated by Fraser Williamson and published by Potton & Burton. “Whose Home is This?” follows on from the award winning “Whose Feet are These?” and…

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What I’m reading: summer 2018

What I’m reading: summer 2018

Gillian Candler March 19, 2018March 19, 2018 Nature, Non-fiction books

“Where Song Began: Australia’s birds and how they changed the world” by Tim Low Who’d have thought a non-fiction book on birds would be a page-turner! Turns out this one is. Tim Low has a pacy style of writing, and he’s…

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Nature Writing – Making Zines

Nature Writing – Making Zines

Gillian Candler January 13, 2018 Nature, Schools, Writing

Crazy about kākāpō? Curious about kauri? Amazed by animal poo? Wild about weka? If you are a nature fan, you can make a zine to share your passion.  Zine is short for ‘fanzine’ – these self-published creations started out as…

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Nature Heroine – writer Sheila Natusch

Nature Heroine – writer Sheila Natusch

Gillian Candler October 26, 2017 Illustrations, Nature, Non-fiction books, Writing

I’ve just seen “No Ordinary Sheila“, the documentary about the wonderful and not at all ordinary Sheila Natusch. This documentary was a clever blend of recent interviews and family photos, integrated with archival films from the relevant times in her…

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Up the River cover

Up the River – new book about New Zealand’s freshwater

Gillian Candler September 10, 2017August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Nature, Non-fiction books

Up the River: explore and discover New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and wetlands is the latest addition  to the ‘explore and discover’ books, following on from books about the seashore, ocean, garden, and forest habitats. Up the River is the sixth…

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Free Downloadable Forest Birds ID Card

Free Downloadable Forest Birds ID Card

Gillian Candler June 18, 2017August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Nature, Non-fiction books

With the first print-run of “In the Bush: explore and discover New Zealand’s native forests” came a detachable forest bird ID card in the inside back cover. This card won’t be included in subsequent print-runs. Instead it’s available to download…

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Keeping up to date: From Moa to Dinosaurs

Keeping up to date: From Moa to Dinosaurs

Gillian Candler March 3, 2017August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Nature, Non-fiction books, Schools

Keeping up to date with scientific discoveries about New Zealand’s origins can be a bit hit and miss. Think about what you remember from school or nature documentaries you’ve seen. Like me, you might have had the idea that our…

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Storylines Family Days – book fun for families

Storylines Family Days – book fun for families

Gillian Candler September 5, 2016August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Libraries, Nature, Non-fiction books, Schools

I recently took part in the Storylines Family Days in Dunedin and Christchurch.  A special feature of the days is the number of pre-schoolers who come along and it was great to see them having a go at the activities,…

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Book Launch Invitation

Book Launch Invitation

Gillian Candler August 31, 2016August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Libraries, Nature, Non-fiction books, Schools

Blog readers and their friends and families are welcome to the launch of my latest book – From Moa to Dinosaurs: explore and discover ancient New Zealand. This new book is part of the award-winning explore and discover series,  illustrated by Ned…

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Sea Week Resources

Sea Week Resources

Gillian Candler February 28, 2016 Apps and websites, Children's books, Nature, Non-fiction books, Schools

It’s Sea Week, a time for schools, parents and public to turn their attention to the treasures of the sea. Unlike a trip to the beach or the bush, it’s hard to show children what lives under the sea, although there…

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Top Outdoor books from my Bookshelf

Top Outdoor books from my Bookshelf

Gillian Candler January 15, 2016 Children's books, Nature, Non-fiction books

Being an active outdoor’s person and enjoying books might seem an odd mix to some. But for many people some of the pleasure of getting outdoors is in planning trips and learning more about the places they’re going to or…

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What I’m Reading

Gillian's bookshelf: nature

The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative
it was amazing
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative
by Florence Williams
I confess I started reading The Nature Fix already a convert. I know that being in nature makes me happier and more creative, but what I didn't know was why. After reading the book, I not only have some answers for why nature can help ma...
tagged: nature and nonfiction
Birdstories: A History of the Birds of New Zealand
it was amazing
Birdstories: A History of the Birds of New Zealand
by Geoff Norman
Birdstories is my new go-to book! When I was pondering which shelf to put it on - next to the field guides or among the nature prose, it occurred to me that since this book won’t be staying on the shelf for long, it might as well stay on...
tagged: explorers-and-naturalists, nature, new-zealand-books, and nonfiction
Where Song Began: Australia's Birds and How They Changed the World
it was amazing
Where Song Began: Australia's Birds and How They Changed the World
by Tim Low
Who’d have thought a non-fiction book on birds would be a page-turner! Turns out this one is. Tim Low has a pacy style of writing, and he’s not shy about putting forward his opinions. It’s great to find serious non-fiction with a popular...
tagged: australia, nonfiction, and nature
The Meaning of Trees
it was amazing
The Meaning of Trees
by Robert Vennell
I highly recommend "The Meaning of Trees". If you thought New Zealand's native plants were boring or less interesting than our birds and lizards, this book will show you otherwise! I was delighted to receive a review copy from the publis...
tagged: nature, new-zealand-books, and nonfiction
The Outrun
it was amazing
The Outrun
by Amy Liptrot
The author, a young woman, returns to live on the Orkneys to recover from addiction. The book paints a picture of the rugged nature of these islands and how immersing herself in the cold sea, the dark nights and the barely tamed land res...
tagged: nature and nonfiction

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Recent Posts

  • More Children’s Writing About Nature

    More Children’s Writing About Nature

    February 1, 2021
  • Making Papier Mache Animals

    Making Papier Mache Animals

    January 23, 2021
  • Making Native Bird Pop-Ups

    Making Native Bird Pop-Ups

    January 16, 2021
  • Nature Books for Teens

    Nature Books for Teens

    November 30, 2020
  • Kids Write About Nature

    Kids Write About Nature

    April 20, 2020

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Gillian Candler, Author

1 day ago

Gillian Candler, Author
I've been off grid for the last week helping out on Mana Island. Volunteering to work with these cuties - white faced storm petrel chicks. From fluff balls to sleek sea birds, they are so tiny, weighing in at around 50g. They've been translocated with the hope that they'll return here to breed and a new colony will be created. Thanks Friends of Mana Island and sponsors for the wonderful opportunity to be part of helping rebuild the ecosystem on Mana Island. ...
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Gillian Candler, Author

3 weeks ago

Gillian Candler, Author
DOC have put together a stunning 5 hours soundscape, from the sea to the mountains.Back by popular demand, we’ve made our sea to alpine soundscape 5 hours. Pop your headphones in, breathe deeply, and immerse yourself in a virtual nature exp... ...

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Book News

  • Nature Heroes

    Nature Heroes

    January 11, 2020
  • Wellington Museum Book Reading Event

    Wellington Museum Book Reading Event

    November 17, 2019
  • Bookshop Day Event

    Bookshop Day Event

    October 16, 2019
  • Whose Home is This? Book Awards Finalist

    Whose Home is This? Book Awards Finalist

    June 6, 2019
  • Meet the Author – Animals of Aotearoa

    Meet the Author – Animals of Aotearoa

    October 19, 2018
  • New Book Out Now – Whose Home is This?

    New Book Out Now – Whose Home is This?

    May 16, 2018
  • Writing Workshops for Children – creating powerful writing

    Writing Workshops for Children – creating powerful writing

    February 14, 2018
  • Writers in Schools – book now for 2018!

    Writers in Schools – book now for 2018!

    November 22, 2017
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