Gecko
A fantastic new addition to the Nature Storybook series!
Welcome to the world of Gecko. He warms up on the sun-baked rocks in the evening before hunting for food. A cockroach makes a yummy snack! Watch out! A hawk is hunting. Gecko changes his skin colour and blends into the rock until the hawk flies away. A wonderful introduction to one of the most varied species of lizard on the planet.
Creators
Raymond Huber lives in New Zealand. He has been a social worker, gardener, primary school teacher, lecturer, and is currently a writer and editor. He’s written Science and English textbooks and short stories for children. In 2010, Sting, his first novel for Walker Books Australia, was short-listed for the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards and the Sir Julius Vogel Awards, as well as being a Storylines Notable Book. His second novel, Wings, was short-listed for the 2012 Sir Julius Vogel Awards. In 2014, Flight of the Honey Bee won the LIANZA Russell Clark Illustration Award, was a Storylines Notable Book and was a finalist for the LIANZA Elsie Locke Non-Fiction Award and the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.
Brian Lovelock is a scientist working in the power industry in New Zealand. He has painted all his life but has only recently ventured into the world of book illustration. His previous titles with Walker Books Australia include Your Mother Didn’t Do That! and Roadworks which won the Picture Book category in the 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults. In 2013, Brian was long-listed for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Award for his work on Demolition. In 2014, Flight of the Honey Bee won the LIANZA Russell Clark Illustration Award, was a Storylines Notable Book and was a finalist for the LIANZA Elsie Locke Non-Fiction Award and the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.
Reviews
A lushly-coloured study.
NZ Listener
The whole effect is just stunning. Beautiful understated artwork… This book is a delightful edition to the Nature Storybook series.
KidsBooksNZ
Highly recommended. Augmented with lustrous illustrations, reading this book is a treat. This is a wonderful addition to a fascinating series, well produced, thoughtfully written and informative.
Read Plus
Huber and Lovelock have teamed up again to produce another beautiful narrative, nonfiction, picture book. This book is perfect for a wide age range.
Bookrapt
I dig this. As a teacher I would happily add this to a library corner as a research tool, and as a parent it makes a nice bedtime story.
Golden Adventures
Gecko has a rich, vibrant text, coupled with beautifully detailed illustrations. A delightful book.
Booksellers NZ
A fascinating book that is well researched, nuanced, unified, and with high quality production values. By any measure it is a beautiful book to hold, explore, and linger over, showcasing written and visual text cohesion. For both older and younger readers Gecko’s multilayered content arouses curiosity and offers us insights into the natural world around us.
Dunedin College of Education
This information picture book is an excellent example of the seamless integration of text and illustration to produce a high-quality non-fiction title.
Reading Time
The illustrations are remarkable with their textured and vivacious watercolour and acrylic background speckles and splashes, beautifully replicating the gecko’s appearance and natural characteristics.
Boomerang Books
This book is a delightful edition to the Nature Storybook series.
Kids Books NZ
All ages will enjoy Brian’s vibrant, speckled artwork.
Bookrapt
Excellent book design, lovely illustrations and lively text combine to inform young readers about geckos.
Magpies Magazine
