The Fabrics of Fairytale (Barefoot Books 2000)

Collection of seven folktales featuring different fabrics from all over the world including: Persian carpet weaving, fabrics of East Africa, silk, fabrics from the Pacific Islands, tapa cloth, flax, patchwork and quilting, and Indonesian batik. The origin and history of each fabric are introduced and then followed by a folktale with that fabric as a central theme. Illustrations by Rachel Griffin, are presented in a fabric collage style and portray textiles and motifs unique to the culture of each folktale. Suggested level: primary, intermediate, junior secondary.

Review: This is an enjoyable and educational read; the stories are from a diverse range of cultures, and share the common theme of fabric (magical or otherwise, produced by magical means or otherwise). Each story has its own introduction, in which the author (who has clearly done her homework) gives helpful historical background on both the particular culture in question, and the production and provenance of the fabric which plays a starring role in that story.

The illustrations are skillfully rendered, pieced or quilted together from fabric, which is most appropriate. At times, however, they are so stylized that they are difficult to decipher (a common problem with Barefoot Books publications), but they are colorful and worth the close study necessary to make out their content.

All in all, a useful, educational, attractive and fun book to read. Recommended for ages 8 and up, and for adult storytellers to research and enjoy (Good Reads)

The Terrible Queue (Scholastic 2001)

Sam likes shopping, but one day Mum says they can't go because of a terrible queue. Sam's imagination runs wild as she starts to wonder what is a terrible Q? Illustrations by Trevor Pye.

The Barefoot (Child's) Book of Faeries (2003)

Influenced by writers and artists from the Victorian era, this lovely anthology introduces children to all kinds of fairies: elves, pixies, leprechauns and hobgoblins. The collection of stories, poems and snippets of fairy lore come from Britain and Ireland.

Review:This is a truly gorgeous book combining story, poetry and folklore into one beautiful treasure of a collection. Tanya Batt has done her research- great book for any faerie lover! Goodreads

The Faery’s Gift (Barefoot 2003)

In this heartwarming Irish fairy tale, a woodcutter is given a wish as a reward for saving the life of a small faery. The woodcutter faces a dilemma: how can he use the wish in a way that will help all members of his family and change all of their lives for the better? Includes storytime CD read by actress Niamh Cusack. Illustrations by Nicoletta Ceccoli.

Review: What a beautiful book! So many layers and opportunities to talk about the different aspects of this tale. A faery book with a male protagonist and a male faery... perfect for my boys!!

A woodcutter lives very poorly with his wife and aging parents. One day he saves a little man, a Faery, who grants him the gift of a single wish in return. Taking the wish home to his family, each has an idea of what the woodcutter's wish should be: a child for him and his wife, the return of his mother's eyesight, or lots of gold so that they will never know hunger or cold again. These are real choices, real needs, and the woodcutter struggles with his gift feeling more like a burden. My eight year old said the most surprising part of the book was how the woodcutter managed to resolve the problem and make a wish that would make everyone truly happy.

The Princess and the White Bear King (Barefoot 2004)

Written by professional storyteller Tanya Batt and illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli, this book will send a tingle of excitement down your spine as you journey on a breathtaking adventure to the magical land that lies east of the sun and west of the moon. Combining the themes of three classic wonder tales - 'East of the Sun, West of the Moon', 'The Black Bull of Norroway' and 'The White Bear King' - this exquisite fairy tale takes its roots from the Scandinavian tradition, but its story and its message are universal.

Review: This is a favorite folktale for my girls and me. It's a beautiful story that combines the themes of three classic tales: East of the Sun, West of the Moon, The Black Bull of Norway and The White Bear King. The story reminds me of Beauty and the Beast as the Prince is a polar bear who needs the love and loyalty of the princess to turn back into is human form as Prince. The princess and bear king travel years to find each other and overcome the evil Troll Queen and her enchantment to live happily ever after. It's a fairy tale set in the winter tundra where dreams come true through adventure and determination. I enjoyed reading a fairy tale outside of the regular Disney versions my daughters know by heart. I liked reading this story to my young daughters as the female protagonist shows strength, drive, and commitment in finding what she wanted most in life.

My Dad’s a Dragon Catcher (Cleanslate Press 2012)

Toby's dad is a dragon catcher: he wears a dragon-protection suit and even his undies are fireproof - at least, that's what Toby tells his friends. But when Ms Deards announces Father's Day at school, Toby panics. Will his friends find out the truth? Illustrations by Helen Bacon.

Catching Fish (Cleanslate Press 2012)

his is a beautifully written and illustrated book. Author Tanya Batt is a storyteller who specialises in working with children that are 3 – 7 years old; developing and building their confidence through storytelling. Natalia Vasquez works as a freelance illustrator for publishers, mainly children’s books.

This story is about a boy named Jake who has a favourite shirt with a pattern of fish along the bottom. Of course being his favourite and being worn all the time, it gets dirty and needs a wash. We find out on reading the story that something magical happens when it’s put on the clothes line flapping in the wind. Jake’s Mum, Dad, brother and sister help him with suggestions on how to get the fish back.

I had a lot of fun reading this story to my 5 ½ year old granddaughter Eden who talked constantly throughout about what happened next. Grandma and Eden came up with a few ideas of their own. Eden has just started writing her own stories after only a few months at school.

I am of the belief that this book could well become a firm favourite of Kiwi children. The age range guideline is 5-8 years. I know who’s getting this book in my family.

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Christine Frayling

Catching Fish
by Tanya Batt, illustrated by Natalia Vasquez
Published by Reading Alive
ISBN 9781927185568

The Time of Your Life (One Tree House 2019)

Little Ben has only two wishes: 1) that he be a little taller and 2) that there be a little more time. People are always running out of time, are short of time, or don't have time to spare. Then his godmother gives him a watch... now he has all the time in the world. Or so he thinks. Illustrated by Bruce Potter.

HB book with a link to a reading by the author

Published with the assistance of Creative New Zealand.

Review: Love the concept in this story - so important that you spend time with your family and those you love
The illustrations are beautiful and it’s worth a second read! Wonderful addition to have the opportunity to hear Tanya Batt read by clicking on the link in the boo

Imagined Worlds (Playcentre Publications 2001)

Can Jill win her bucket back from an enterprising bird? Will Mrs Wash-a-lot persuade the wind to not to blow her washing off the line? This collection of ten process dramas provides a starting place for creating shared imagined experiences with young children.

Using song, dance, mime, storytelling, visual arts - this book is a resource developed from my own teaching practice with children from pre-school to eight years old.

Part One of the book explains how to create a drama and the educational theory behind process drama. Part Two reproduces in detail twelve dramas I have used with young children and Part Three gives an extensive list of resources that people might find useful in developing their own work.

Dance Upon A Time (Playcentre Publications 2004)

A teaching resource in the area of creative dance and movement, where dance is primarily about using the body as a means of exploration and expression. Learn how to assist children to express their thoughts, emotions and stories through movement.

The book begins by introducing the reader to a conceptual approach to teaching movement and dance. It goes on to explore this approach through four mouse foot stories and ten lesson plans, each focusing on a different movement concept or element and culminating in a movement story.

This resource is best suited to people working with children aged three through to eight years of age.

The Story Sack (Playcentre Publications 2006)

This book is primarily aimed at adults who wish to learn or develop their confidence storytelling and story making with young children. It is based on my experience as a performance storyteller and arts educator for early childhood, and my love of stories.
The book includes a discussion of the value of storytelling, practical advice for storytelling and story making and a collection of traditional stories suitable for sharing with young. Cover Illustration by Ingrid Berzins, Ilustrations Juliet Hawkin

Storylines – The Anthology (Scholastic 2003)

The Puffin Treasury of New Zealand Children's Stories (Vol 2)

Out of the Deep and other stories (Reed 2007)