Te Papa Press celebrates a string of successes

Te Papa Press’s first non-fiction book for children, 100 Amazing Tales from Aotearoa, has won the prestigious New Zealand Post Children’s Book Award for Best Non-Fiction Book.

Judges Bernard Beckett, Lynn Freeman and Eirlys Hunter said: “Kids are going to love delving into this book. 100 Amazing Tales from Aotearoa provides children with a glimpse into the richness, strangeness and beauty of their world. The playful, almost haphazard arrangement of topics allows the reader to fashion their own voyage of discovery.”

Te Papa Chief Executive Michael Houlihan is delighted with the success of the book, now on its fourth print run.

“It’s an exceptional book that goes behind the scenes at the Museum and brings to life some of the tāonga and stories that make up our extraordinary collection. Even though it’s a children’s book, it has broad appeal across the generations.”

Publisher Claire Murdoch says it’s a great credit to Te Papa’s staff.

“We knew that kids and their parents all over New Zealand love this book because it just keeps selling as fast as we can print it.”

This national award is the latest in a string of successes for New Zealand’s unique museum publisher, which includes the short-listing of 100 Amazing Tales from Aotearoa for the Elsie Locke Medal for non-fiction at the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards.

100 Amazing Tales from Aotearoa, along with the updated edition of Awesome Forces: The Natural Hazards that Threaten New Zealand, was also long-listed for the Royal Society of New Zealand 2013 Science Book Prize.

Buller’s Birds of New Zealand: The Complete Work of JG Keulemans was a joint winner in the book category of the Museums Australia Multimedia and Publication Design Awards 2013. It is also up for the Random House New Zealand Award for Best Illustrated Book, as part of the Publishers Association of New Zealand Book Design Awards 2013.

Te Papa Press’s latest children’s book is also proving hugely popular. The New Zealand Art Activity Book: 100+ Ideas for Creative Kids has received rave reviews from children and adults across the country.

Notes

100 Amazing Tales from Aotearoa appears on the Storylines Notable Books List for 2013 and is based on the television series Tales from Te Papa, presented by Riria Hotere and Simon Morton.

NZ RRP (incl. GST): $34.99
Extent: 224 pp
Illustrations: 500+ full-colour and b&w images, includes 2 DVDs
Format: paperback, 240 mm x 210 mm
ISBN: 978-1-877385-79-7

Buller’s Birds of New Zealand: The Complete Work of JG Keulemans is written by Geoff Norman and designed by Margaret Cochran.

NZ RRP (incl. GST): $150.00
Extent: 240 pp
Illustrations: 95+ full-colour plates and b&w images
Format: hardback, 360 × 270 mm
ISBN: 978-1-877385-88-9

Awesome Forces: The Natural Hazards that Threaten New Zealand is edited by Geoff Hicks and Te Papa’s Hamish Campbell, and published in partnership with EQC and GNS.

NZ RRP (incl. GST): $29.99
Extent: 168 pp
Illustrations: over 300 full-colour plates and b&w images
Format: paperback, 270 mm x 210 mm
ISBN:978-1-877385-87-2

The New Zealand Art Activity Book: 100+ Ideas for Creative Kids is by Te Papa’s Senior Education Programmer Helen Lloyd.

NZ RRP (incl. GST): $29.99
Extent: 184 pp
Illustrations: over 200 colour and b&w illustrations
Format: paperback, 297 mm x 210 mm
ISBN: 978-0-9876688-0-6

Information on all Te Papa Press books can be found at tepapapress.co.nz.

Te Papa Press books are available for sale online at tepapastore.co.nz and from good bookshops around the country.

Media contact

Heather Church, Te Papa
04 381 7083

Ang Radford, Te Papa Press
027 540 1104