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Gillian Candler, Author

Writing about Nature in New Zealand/ Aotearoa

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Writing haiku

Gillian Candler December 1, 2021December 1, 2021 Book news, Nature, Writing

Haiku is a form of poetry that is appealing to both children and adults. Haiku are most often about moments in nature, or simple nature descriptions. It’s a Japanese form of poetry that has been adapted for English language. Originally…

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Whose Feet are These? cover

Author reading: Whose Feet are These?

Gillian Candler September 6, 2021September 6, 2021 Book news, Children's books, Libraries, Nature, Non-fiction books, parents

During lockdown Kids Restore Kepler asked if I would read one of my books aloud. Here it is – Whose Feet are These? illustrated by Fraser Williamson. This little book is now sadly out of print. If you missed out…

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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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Invite to Meet the Author

Wellington Museum Book Reading Event

Gillian Candler November 17, 2019November 17, 2019 Book news, Children's books

Pick up your free colouring page from “Whose Home is This?”

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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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Whose Home is This? cover

Whose Home is This? Book Awards Finalist

Gillian Candler June 6, 2019August 2, 2019 Book awards, Book news, Children's books, Illustrations

I’m excited to announce that my book “Whose Home is This?” illustrated by Fraser Williamson is a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2019. “Whose Home is This?” is a finalist for the Elsie…

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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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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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Writing Workshops for Children – creating powerful writing

Writing Workshops for Children – creating powerful writing

Gillian Candler February 14, 2018August 2, 2019 Book news, Libraries, Schools, Writing

Children are such creative thinkers. And so honest and perceptive too. That’s why I enjoy visiting primary schools and public library school holiday programmes. Best of all is spending time with them in a writing workshop. In 2017, I visited…

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Writers in Schools – book now for 2018!

Writers in Schools – book now for 2018!

Gillian Candler November 22, 2017August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Libraries, Non-fiction books, Schools, Uncategorized, Writing

Attention teachers, librarians and schools, you have until 15 December to book me through Writers in Schools for Term 1 2018! Are you: Planning a Book Week Wanting to give your year 4-8 students a non-fiction writing boost Keen to…

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About Illustrating – Link to Interview with Ned Barraud

About Illustrating – Link to Interview with Ned Barraud

Gillian Candler October 12, 2017August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Illustrations, Non-fiction books, Schools

Children often ask about the illustration process for the ‘explore and discover books’. Ned Barraud the illustrator is interviewed on The Sapling about how he fits illustrating children’s books in with his day job, about the process and about some…

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Win a Copy of Up the River

Gillian Candler September 13, 2017August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Non-fiction books

To enter this competition go to https://www.facebook.com/GillianCandlerAuthor/ and enter before 9am Monday 18 September 2017. Note you need to have a New Zealand postal address to enter. For more on my thoughts about writing Up the River, see my last blogpost https://gilliancandler.co.nz/up-the-river-new-book-about-new-zealands-freshwater/ SaveSave…

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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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From Moa to Dinosaurs cover

FAQs About Writing ‘From Moa to Dinosaurs’

Gillian Candler August 17, 2017August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Non-fiction books, Writing

Recently I was interviewed by The Sapling about From Moa to Dinosaurs, a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults To read the full interview with me and with the other non-fiction finalists click here.…

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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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Finalist in Book Awards 2017

Finalist in Book Awards 2017

Gillian Candler June 8, 2017August 2, 2019 Book awards, Book news, Children's books, Non-fiction books

I’m delighted to announce that “From Moa to Dinosaurs: explore and discover ancient New Zealand” is a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2017. Here’s the link to the complete list of finalist books and…

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The State of Children’s Non-Fiction in New Zealand

The State of Children’s Non-Fiction in New Zealand

Gillian Candler May 10, 2017August 2, 2019 Book awards, Book news, Children's books, Non-fiction books, Writing

Follow this link to read an article I’ve written on the state of children’s non-fiction. I argue that there must be a better name for these splendid books than ‘non-fiction’ and that we need more good quality non-fiction titles for…

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Make a Gecko with Sticky Feet

Make a Gecko with Sticky Feet

Gillian Candler April 20, 2017August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Libraries, Non-fiction books

Did you know that geckos have ‘sticky’ feet? They can even walk upside down on ceilings or up a pane of glass! Children at Porirua, Cannons Creek and Whitby Libraries had a go at making their own geckos with sticky…

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Author interview – Porirua Library

Author interview – Porirua Library

Gillian Candler April 12, 2017August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Libraries, Writing

Here’s an interview I gave to Bee Trudgeon of Porirua Library, ahead of the school holiday sessions I’ll be running next week Wednesday 19 April. I love her questions, especially the one about what animal I’d like to be if…

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School Holiday Event – Read Around the World and about New Zealand too

School Holiday Event – Read Around the World and about New Zealand too

Gillian Candler April 5, 2017August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Libraries, Non-fiction books, Schools

I’m looking forward to being the special guest at the Porirua Library’s school holiday event. On April 19 I’ll be visiting 3 of the branches to read from my books and have some fun making crafts. I’ll be sharing “Whose…

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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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NZ Bookshop Day Event – meet the author

NZ Bookshop Day Event – meet the author

Gillian Candler October 17, 2016August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books

Come along to Marsden Books in Karori and meet author and illustrator of the Explore and Discover series, take part in the nature quiz and win prizes When: 3pm, 29 October 2016 Where: Marsden Books, 159 Karori Road, Karori What…

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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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“Whose Beak is This? finalist for Elsie Locke Award

“Whose Beak is This? finalist for Elsie Locke Award

Gillian Candler June 8, 2016August 2, 2019 Book awards, Book news, Children's books, Non-fiction books

I’ve always been a huge fan of Elsie Locke, so it’s such an honour to be named a finalist for the Elsie Locke Award for non-fiction in the NZ Children’s Book Awards for 2016. (The NZ Children’s Book Awards and…

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On Writing and Nature

On Writing and Nature

Gillian Candler October 28, 2015August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Libraries, Non-fiction books

I’m taking part in Porirua Library’s A Long Hot Summer Story Festival in January. Ahead of that event I was interviewed by Children’s Librarian Bee Trudgeon. You can read the interview here: http://www.porirualibrary.org.nz/Services/Children-s-Library/Bee-s-Bookish-Blog – scroll to October 28, 2015

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Book Launch Invitation

Book Launch Invitation

Gillian Candler October 18, 2015August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books

Blog readers are invited to the launch of Whose Beak is This? my new picture book, illustrated by Fraser Williamson. Date: 31 October, Place: Paper Plus, North City Shopping Centre, Porirua, Time: 2-3pm Bring your children or grandchildren, free bird mask…

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In the Bush cover

Just in time for the Great Kereru Count – New Book Launched

Gillian Candler September 17, 2015August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Non-fiction books

My favourite place  – the New Zealand bush –  is the topic of my latest book. It’s a book for children, informed by many walks in the bush with botanists, bird lovers, and those steeped in bush lore. Many of…

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Awakening Curiosity – writing science for children

Awakening Curiosity – writing science for children

Gillian Candler June 18, 2015August 2, 2019 Book news, Children's books, Non-fiction books, Schools

Read my tips about science writing for children in the latest edition (Winter 2015) of The New Zealand Author. In Awakening Curiosity: writing science for children I discuss 4 science education research-based principles that I apply to my writing and 2 tips for writers…

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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

  • Writing haiku

    Writing haiku

    December 1, 2021
  • Author reading: Whose Feet are These?

    Author reading: Whose Feet are These?

    September 6, 2021
  • Conservation Inspired Poetry

    Conservation Inspired Poetry

    August 9, 2021
  • The Importance of Non-Fiction Books for Children

    The Importance of Non-Fiction Books for Children

    August 9, 2021
  • Join the campaign for Earth – our other mother

    Join the campaign for Earth – our other mother

    April 19, 2021

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Gillian Candler, Author is in Pukerua Bay.

7 hours ago

Gillian Candler, Author
Ruru has returned. Same branch, same grumpy ‘do not disturb me’ expression. I tiptoed away and left it to its slumber. #ruru #morepork #nzbirds #owlsofinstagram ...

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Gillian Candler, Author

3 days ago

Gillian Candler, Author
Have you voted for Tree of the Year? I've just voted for Ratanui, a huge stunning rātā at Bushy Park.How has Rātānui, a 1,000-year-old northern rātā in Bushy Park Tarapuruhi, survived for so long in a human-dominated landscape?🌳 Have a read to discover the story of this magnificent tree: www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/ratanui-reverence🌳 Vote now for Rātānui for Tree of the Year! www.treeoftheyear.co.nz/2022-trees/ratanui📷: Lamp Studios ...

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Book News

  • Author reading: Whose Feet are These?

    Author reading: Whose Feet are These?

    September 6, 2021
  • 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
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