A novel is a marriage. A short story a love affair.
Prominent authors have described short stories as the most disciplined and difficult form of prose writing.
Bronwyn Elsmore’s collection These Islands Here – Short Stories of the South Pacific, includes 32 fictional tales that present the varied facets of living in this part of the world. Most have been published previously, several have won short story competitions.
Reviewers say: "the author has mastered the art of the short story"; "they all have one common factor – they are each beautifully crafted". “The 32 stories in this book are divided into decades, each time period with its own helpful introduction. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll learn more about the recent histories of Aotearoa/New Zealand.”

​*Just search These Islands Here at your library service of choice.

This epic historical adventure tells the story of pre-colonial Aotearoa New Zealand like it's never been told before. A young Māori man, compelled to learn the stories of his ancestors, returns to his family marae on the east coast of the North Island to speak to his elderly grand-uncle, the keeper of the stories. What follows is an enthralling account of the young man's tipuna, the legendary warrior Kaitanga, after whom his marae's whare puni has been named. Tracing the author's own ancestral line, Kāwai: For Such a Time as This reveals a picture of an indigenous Aotearoa in the mid-18th century, through to the first encounters between Māori and Europeans. It describes a culture that is highly sophisticated with an immense knowledge of science, medicine and religion; proud tribes who live harmoniously within the natural world; a highly capable and adaptable people to whom family and legacy are paramount. However, it is also a culture illuminated by a brutal undercurrent of inter-generational vengeance, witchcraft and cannibalism.

​*Just search Kāwai at your library service of choice.

The popular children’s book series latest book is set in beautiful Rarotonga! Kiri, Jed and twins Emma and Ethan frequently journey on ‘elastic island’, a unique way to travel that sends them pinging across the ocean to a variety of tropical destinations. This time, they travel with Blong the Cat and Heathcliff the Dog to beautiful Rarotonga. They are expecting to relax in the sun, but it’s not long until they run into problems. Firstly, Mighty Moko, the resident grumpy gecko who lives in their room, is determined to get rid of them, no matter what! But his annoying antics are quickly surpassed when all the black pearls on the island are stolen in a brazen heist, the thief leaving clues scattered around the island. The children are determined to solve the clues, but even with the help of the wise Mana Tiaki, will they be successful? Will the people of Rarotonga ever see their precious black pearls again?

​*Just search Elastic Island Adventures at your library service of choice.

Join the revolution that’s changing the way we work.
Every working parent knows how hard the juggle is. Now we know the cause.
In #WorkSchoolHours, Dr Ellen Joan Ford (Nelson) lays out her case for a better way of working – one that challenges our preconceptions about productivity, purpose, and parenthood. The #WorkSchoolHours movement takes us far beyond just how we structure working schedules and delivers better commercial outcomes for businesses and better lives for everyone.
Building on decades of research and lived experience, #WorkSchoolHours contains practical insights and immediately actionable solutions to a compounding global problem of work not working for everyone. 
It’s time to realign the working world. Welcome to the #WorkSchoolHours movement.

Just search From Great Snoring to Peaches and Pork at your library service of choice.

In 2011 Jenny Robin Jones wrote No Simple Passage, which told the true story of how the London sailed to New Zealand in 1842 and what happened to its passengers on the way, who flourished, who foundered and who didn’t even make it to their new homeland. Now here is the story from the point of view of young Joe Willis and his friend Bertie Bacon from Great Snoring. Joe’s excitement about his new life keeps his curiosity at a fever pitch throughout the whole four-month adventure at sea. As he marks the days by notches on his stick, the boys learn to read and write, make friends with a cabin passenger and watch their first Māori haka. When will they all get to Wellington Town? Why isn’t the ship moving anymore? Will Jasper, the dog on the poop deck, recover from the heat? Will the sailors find William Whale who has fallen into the ocean? Will Joe’s mother have enough raisins in her rations to make Spotted Dick for tea? Will Joe get scurvy if he doesn’t eat his pickled cabbage? Will Midnight, the ship’s cat, save him from the rats? Factual historical detail is embedded in the human story of Joe and Bertie, Joe’s poor but hopeful parents and Bertie’s sister Eliza, whose sickness is so much worse than Joe’s.

Just search From Great Snoring to Peaches and Pork at your library service of choice.

Using a mysterious gold wristband, Boy returns to Chylgar, a world where he has a special power. Chylgar is overrun by the Emperor's army, led by Warlocks, seeking the 'Crown of Power'. Reunited with his friends, the giant talking wolves of Chylgar, can they find a way to defeat the Warlocks and the Emperor's army? Can he use his power against them? Can the band provide the solution?

Book 2 in the Chylgar series. 

For more information about Simon Taylor, his books, audiobooks, radio broadcasts and school storytelling, go to www.simontaylorstoryteller.com

Just search Chylgar at your library service of choice.

Become The Hero of Your Own Sales Story 

Whether you are a sales newcomer, an experienced seller looking for a refresh, a sales manager or a business leader struggling for revenue, this audio book will literally supercharge your results and transform your life. 

‘Ignite Your Sales Hero’ is the ultimate guide to mastering the art of authentic 'one on one' and ‘human to human selling.’ It is packed with battle tested sales strategies, tactics and methods that have been successfully deployed in one of the world's most competitive industry sectors. Within this audio journey you will take a deep dive into the following: 

How to build a prosperous and successful sales career. You can achieve the lifestyle you dream of by honing the mental skills and mindset of a sales professional. Pinpoint areas for self-improvement, and how to overcome obstacles, challenges, and self -limiting beliefs that may be standing between yourself and the future you aspire to. 

Uncover why traditional sales methods like ‘Always Be Closing’ (ABC) no longer cut it with today’s buyers. Embrace fresh insights and methods that will engage and captivate buyers, propelling you to close more deals – a lot more! For example, did you know that you can double your sales revenue by making just a few minor tweaks to your current sales process. 

True sales success hinges on your ability to effectively apply your knowledge and learnings in real-world situations. The ability to close deals under pressure is the backbone of a successful sales career. Throughout you will find frameworks, winning tactics and scripts that will help you to outperform your competitors in even the most competitive situations. 

Just search Ignite Your Sales Hero at your library service of choice.

An ordinary boy who hates his name. A boy who is drawn into the world of Chylgar, by the giant talking wolves who protect the Land. Aided by two village children, they ride the wolves on a perilous journey to seek a cure for the sickness that ails the wolf packs. Tracked by the Emperor's soldiers, and threatened by monstrous creatures, Boy discovers he has a special gift. Can he control the power? Can he protect the wolves? Will there be time? A journey of adventure and magic.

For more information about Simon Taylor, his books, audiobooks, radio broadcasts and school storytelling, go to www.simontaylorstoryteller.com



Book 1 in the Chylgar series
Written and narrated by Simon Taylor
Audiobook copyright 2023

Produced and distributed by Audiobooks NZ www.audiobooks.com

This is the moving story of a woman who, throughout her life, has refused to be defined by what others think she can or cannot do. Minnie Baragwanath was diagnosed, at the age of 15, with a congenital condition that left her legally blind. However, she did not meekly accept the limitations that blindness might have imposed on her: instead, she dug in her heels and set about improving not only her own life but also the lives of all New Zealanders with access needs. The dramatic events of Minnie’s life – losing her sight, being admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Japan at 19, becoming a television presenter, participating in the New York Marathon, surviving life-threatening illnesses, founding and leading innovative organisations, receiving prestigious awards (including the New Zealand Order of Merit) – are related in vivid detail. Minnie looks candidly at both her challenges and her triumphs, giving the reader the opportunity to share her exceptional experiences. This book has the potential to change our views of what ‘disability’ means. Minnie’s far-reaching ideas on how our society could be transformed – to everyone’s benefit – are not just intellectual speculations: they are based on her experiences and on those of the many people with disability with whom she has worked. There is a growing demand for information about ‘diversity and inclusion’. This book, with its keen insight into what it means to be in a meaningful relationship ‘with’ one another, and in particular how we as a society choose to relate to leaders and pioneers of a more progressive world, breaks new ground on those subjects.

This podcast is released weekly.
​
Written By: Minnie Baragwanath
For more about Minnie go to www.minnieb.co.nz
Read By: Romy Hooper
Produced and Distributed by Audiobooks New Zealand
To make your audiobooks head to www.audiobooksnz.com

The Dragons of Malescia, is a six part fantasy adventure story for children from seven to seventy. Twelve-year-old Callam finds a stone of unusual thinness and colour. He tells his best friend Leisha, and together they try and find out more about it. They meet a museum professor, who behaves suspiciously and then an elderly couple who clearly know much about the stone and its history than they say. Is it a stone or could it be a scale of a mythical beast? To his horror Callam turns into a dragon at night. He tells Leisha and together begin their exciting adventures of magic, monsters and mystery.

​For further details about Simon Taylor, his audiobooks, books, broadcasts and storytelling at primary schools, see www.simontaylorstoryteller.com

Just search The Dragons of Malescia at your library service of choice.

Twelve short stories about eight year old Imogen and her best friend, Roari, a four metre tall dragon. Wonderfully narrated with voices for every character, in each story they meet a new friend, from Bluey the Penguin to Mr Kiwi. Each enchanting story is a combination of a fun tale with interesting facts for the children. Two of the stories include helping Father Christmas in different ways. For 3+ years of age.
Originally broadcast on ‘Suzy and Friends with Suzy Cato’, the award winner, for best children’s radio programme 2023 radio.
Author, narrator and recording studio, Simon Taylor. Copyright 2023 Simon Taylor. Editor Eileen Clews. Produced by Phil Yule - Voice Box. Sound effects from ‘FreeSound' - details of individual sound effects and license holders available on application.
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For further details about Simon Taylor, his audiobooks, books, broadcasts and storytelling at primary schools, see www.simontaylorstoryteller.com

Just search Imogen and Roari's Adventures at your library service of choice.