By Rachel Haydon, illustrated by Pippa Keel

Publication date: January 2024
NZ RRP (incl. GST): $35
Extent: 176 pages
Format: Limpbound
ISBN: 978-1-99-116551-0

The 99 activities in this immersive book for children aged 7 to 14 range from experiments and observation to conservation and mindfulness. Developed to inspire curious young minds to explore and appreciate our beaches, lakes, rivers and streams. It is also designed to be taken out into natural environments and to be drawn and written in.

Written by a children’s learning expert, all sorts of learning styles are recognised, with each activity being open to children who like to draw and those who like to write. The book’s journal-like format and activities that range across the seasons make it a long-term and much-treasured companion. Mātauranga Māori

  Mātauranga MāoriMāori knowledgeMāori concepts and the theme of nature connectedness are an integral part of the activities.

Look inside The Beach Activity Book

About the authors

Rachel Haydon is a qualified primary school teacher and scientist with a zoology Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in marine science. She has more than 18 years’ experience of teaching science to children of all ages in schools, museums, zoos and aquariums around the world. She is the General Manager of the National Aquarium of New Zealand. Rachel is the author of the Nature Activity Book (Te Papa Press) and Kaewa the Kororā (Massey University Press). She is dedicated to motivating children of all ages to get outside and explore, connect with nature and have the best chance to protect the natural world and all that lives within it.

Pippa Keel is an award-winning illustration designer, with an honour’s degree in illustration and a huge love of the great outdoors! From her small studio in Te Whanganui-a- Tara Wellington, Pippa collaborates with a variety of clients. During the warmer months, she travels around Aotearoa to hand-paint murals. Getting outside into nature has been a part of Pippa’s life since before she could walk, and she recently dipped her toe into free diving (a real help for this book!). She hopes her drawings, alongside Rachel’s fab activities, go a good way towards inspiring others to venture into the wild.