Meet Charlie, Ruby, Oliver, Mason and Kaia - Kiwi kids representing a multicultural blend of culture and race that typifies our amazing country. They'll take you through a year in the life of New Zealand's kids, from celebrations, traditions and events, to our everyday way of life and the little things that make childhood so memorable.

A Kiwi Year is a picture book bursting with national pride. It's a snapshot of who we are as New Zealanders, blending our modern-day culture and lifestyle with past traditions and native heritage. Its pages feature meandering text, dates and gorgeous illustrations showcasing our five Kiwi kids at play, at school, at home, and enjoying the sights and sites of our great nation.

From the Bay of Islands to our hot springs and soaring mountains, vibrant cities and quaint country towns, this is our New Zealand childhood.

Tania McCartney is an author, editor, reviewer and features writer. She has been writing professionally for over 25 years and has almost a thousand articles and reviews in print and online. Passionate about literacy, Tania founded the highly regarded children’s literature website Kids’ Book Review and the 52-Week Illustration Challenge, and is an ambassador for the Australian National Year of Reading 2012. She has spent many years presenting and speaking on reading, books and writing.

Her previous book with Tina Snerling was the bestselling An Aussie Year. Tania is also the author of the very successful Beijing Tai Tai. Described as ‘The Eat, Pray, Love for mothers’, this is her account of the four years she spent living in China’s capital. Tania has also lived in Paris and London, and currently lives in Canberra with her husband and two kids, and a mountain of books.

Tina Snerling is an illustrator, children’s wear designer and graphic artist. Formerly a fashion and textiles designer, she now illustrates the award-winning Kids’ Year series and other picture books, and is the Art Director for a children’s stationery company. She lives in Brisbane with her husband, two kids and a wild imagination to draw the world with childhood innocence.