Stuck There Forever Boat

Tama lives on a beautiful Pacific Island with one major problem - climate change means that his island is slowly sinking. When the villages have to be evacuated, Tama's nanny refuses to leave. She was born on the island the same night a storm shipwrecked a boat there and will only leave when the stuck-there-forever-boat leaves too. What will Tama be able to do to resolve this situation and convince his nanny to leave with them?

Illustrations by Bruce Potter

Paperback, 32 pages. Published 01 Sep 2008, Penguin NZ, Auckland, New Zealand

ISBN10 0143502697     ISBN13 9780143502692

Top Dive Sites of New Zealand

We have visited and documented forty of the very best of New Zealand's accessible dive sites. Each dive site is shown in full colour wide angle views to give you an excellent feel for the whole site and close-up photographs that document the detail and animals you might find there. Each chapter (The Poor Knights, Northland, The Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Plenty & East Coast, Cook Straight, South Island & Stewart Island and Fordland) has an overview of the area; each dive site a fact box and description; there is a photographic guide to common marine species (88 fish, 57 invertebrates and 6 types of algae). Interesting geological, historical and animal facts are scattered throughout the book, completing the picture. We take you diving beneath an active volcano; in the semi-darkness of Fiordland’s calm waterways; amongst dense schools of fish; with playful fur seals and amongst the spectacular archways of New Zealand’s most famous marine reserve The Poor Knights Islands. A book to guide you in choosing the best dive locations for yourself , or to remind you of your own New Zealand diving experience.

Full colour photography by Darryl Torckler

Paperback with plastic slip cover, 176 pages. Published 27 October 2008, Penguin NZ, Auckland, New Zealand

ISBN Number: 9780143010098

Underwater Wonders of New Zealand

This collection of underwater photographs portrays some of New Zealand's marine life, including the Poor Knights Islands marine reserve, the last resting place of the Rainbow Warrior and the active volcano of White Island, as well as the South Island's Fiordland. 

Full colour photography by Darryl Torckler

Hardback with slip cover, 112 pages. Published 1 September 1999, New Holland Publsihers, Auckland, New Zealand

ISBN Number: 9781877246166

Your Heart Will Sing Again

Serenely beautiful color photos on every two-page spread are complemented with words of condolence meant for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Many of these statements of sympathy and compassion have been taken from immortal poets and philosophers, including Longfellow, Yeats, Byron, Emerson, and Confucius. One typical heartfelt message states, “When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” The attractive photos present images from nature that capture a mood of peace and tranquility. 

This beautiful and supportive gift book combines stunning images by internationally renowned New Zealand photographer Darryl Torckler with warm and thoughtful text by Gillian Torckler. Each two-page spread offers a statement of sympathy and compassion - a brief yet uplifting message of comfort that is meant for a friend or loved one in mourning.

Full colour photography by Darryl Torckler

Hardback with slip cover, 72 pages. Published August 2010,  David Bateman, Auckland, New Zealand and B.E.S. Publishing, USA

ISBN-13  978-1-86953-784-5

You've only just begun

This book of inspiration and encouragement makes that perfect extra gift for young men and women graduate as they leave school to face challenging and exciting futures after thier school or college graduation.

Each stimulating reflection is complemented with a brilliant colour photo that will evoke a pensive mood. Here is a small but thoughtful gift that will be appreciated and re-read many times by the high school and college graduates who receive it. Full-colour photos on every two-page spread.

Full colour photography by Darryl Torckler

Hardback with slip cover, 72 pages. Published August 2010  David Bateman, Auckland, New Zealand and B.E.S. Publishing, USA

ISBN-13 Number 978-0-7641-6184-1
ISBN-10 Number 0-7641-6184-9

Life Size Guide to New Zealand Fish

Have you ever struggled to identify a fish after seeing small pictures in books? Struggle no more. This book shows 38 of New Zealand’s common fish species in living colour, including snapper, moray eels, seahorse, red moki, pig fish, blue maomao, pink maomao, demoiselles, flounder and more. This is a partner to the Real-Size Guide to NZ Rocky Shore. The fish that live in different underwater  habitats reefs, mangroves, sandy bottoms, open water are presented in full colour montage free of any text, partnered with a monotone picture overlaid with text boxes for each fish that provides tells you information about each fish’s identifying features, their lifestyle and where you might find them, and includes their scientific names.

Photography by Darryl Torckler

Paperback, 32 pages. Published September 2003 by Random House, Auckland, New Zealand 

ISBN Number: 9781869415860

What Am I? In the Bush

This book features eleven common New Zealand native bush creatures. Children have fun solving the rhyming puzzles and questions to learn about the intriguing lifestyles of: kereru, (wood pigeon), fantail, kiwi, kea, stick insect, weta, puriri moth, koura, (freshwater crayfish), cicada, dragonfly and  gecko. Each section starts with a narrative rhyming poem that gives clues to the animals’ identities and ends with the inevitable question, What Am I?Turn the page to reveal which creature.

Full colour photography by Darryl Torckler

Paperback, 48 pages. Published May 2004, Reed Books, Auckland, New Zealand 

ISBN Number: 9781869486662

What Am I?

A colourful introduction to some of the most interesting creatures that live in our New Zealand seas. Children have fun solving the rhyming puzzles and questions to learn about the intriguing lifestyles of: yellow-eyed penguin; hermit crab, humpback whale; starfish; mako shark; seaweed; dusky dolphin; octopus; red-billed seagull, albatross and the seahorse. Each section starts with a narrative rhyming poem that gives clues to the animals’ identities and ends with the inevitable question, What Am I? Turn the page to reveal which creature.

Full colour photography by Darryl Torckler

Paperback, 48 pages. Published June 2003, Reed Books, Auckland, New Zealand 

ISBN Number: 9781869487577

Real Size Guide to the New Zealand Rocky Shore

This is a partner to the popular Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Fish. A Photographic guide. Different habitats splash zone, upper shore, intertidal zone, rock pools, lower shore and underwater are presented in full colour montage free of any text. This is followed by a monotone picture overlaid with identification and information boxes for each animal.

This is a species guidebook like none other. Your family will return to it over again. It is possible to dip in and out of the book as needed, without the need to read the entire text in one sitting. But if you do that, you will no doubt read some interesting fact or tow that you had forgotten or not know previously. There is a handy species index explaining all of the linkages between these creatures.

Photography by Darryl Torckler

Paperback, 32 pages. Published September 2004, Random House, Auckland, New Zealand 

ISBN Number: 9781869416348

24 Hours in the Kiwi Bush

When night falls and all is quiet, there is a whole world of activity, deep in the heart of our native bush . . . Get up close and personal with the flora and fauna of our country over a 24-hour cycle. Follow the nocturnal kiwi and weta as they scour the forest floor for food in the early hours; flit amongst the trees with the tui and kakariki as they announce the arrival of a new dawn. Let Gillian and Darryl Torckler guide you on an immersive journey into the intimate world of our native bush wildlife, featuring fascinating facts and stunning photography.

Full colour photography by Darryl Torckler

Paperback, 36 pages. Published November 2020, Bateman Books, Auckland, New Zealand 

ISBN Number: 9781988538372

24 Hours On The Kiwi Seashore

When the sun rises on the seashore, all manner of creatures emerge from their slumber to see the breaking dawn . . . Discover the busy ecosystem of our country's seashore over a 24-hour cycle. Observe the seals and yellow-eyed penguins who come ashore to sleep; dive beneath the waves to frolic with the bottlenose dolphins and jellyfish. Let Gillian and Darryl Torckler guide you on an immersive journey into the intimate world of our seashore life, featuring fascinating facts and stunning photography.

Full colour photography by Darryl Torckler

Paperback, 36 pages. Published November 2020, Bateman Books, Auckland, New Zealand 

ISBN Number: 9781988538389

My Name is Henry Fanshaw

The True Stroy Of New Zealand's Bomber Squadron.

Henry Fanshaw is no ordinary teddy bear. In fact, he travelled the world with the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron - one of New Zealand's most famous air force squadrons - which served around the world, in places like Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. Before that, they had fought in the Second World War. Join Henry as he remembers the brave airmen who risked their lives for their country, including the famous Kiwi pilot Jimmy Ward who received the Victoria Cross for climbing out on the wing of a plane in mid-flight to put out a fire. Today Henry resides at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

Illustarted by Adele Jackson

Hardback, 32 pages. Published November 2021, Bateman Books, Auckland, New Zealand 

ISBN Number: 1988538637

Dinner with Grandpa

Every Friday night the family has dinner with Grandma and Grandpa. They all join in making pizza, and over dinner Grandpa often talks about the stars, especially around the time of Matariki. This is a heart-warming family story about togetherness, celebration, and coping with loss and change.

llustarted by Nikki Slade Robinson

Soft cover, 32 pages. Published March 2024, Duck Creek Press, Auckland, New Zealand 

ISBN Number: 9781927305843

My Aunt Honor

My Aunt Honor was far from ordinary. She was extraordinary. She was inspirational. She was brave. During the Second World War Honor Hassett joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, defying the expectations of her family and friends to become one of the first female aircraft engineers. Follow Honor's courageous journey as one of the many women who served in wartime as told by her grand-niece Gillian Torckler and authentically illustrated by Adele Jackson.

Illustarted by Adele Jackson

Hardback, 32 pages. Published September 2023, Bateman Books, Auckland, New Zealand 

ISBN Number: 9781776890705

New Zealand Birds of the Week/Nga Manu o Te Wiki

Based on the nursery rhyme, Monday's Child, thsi books introduces common New Zealnd birds to young readers. With stunning photography award-winning natural history photographer Darryl Torckler.

Publsihed by Bateman Books, Auckland, New Zealand

Soft cover, 32 pages

ISBN:  9781776890620