Melanie Koster | Writer

To celebrate the launch of The Wonderful Stranges ,   there are two competitions to enter. The Invention Challenge:  In The Wonderful Stranges , Grandpa Strange invented a bicycle-powered sewing machine. If you could invent a new machine, what would it be? Draw your design for a whimsical, whacky invention. Give it a name and label it. You might like to add another piece of paper telling us a little more about it. We can't wait to see what you dream up! Colouring competition: Both competitions are open to children aged 5 to 13 years in Aotearoa New Zealand. You may post your entries to: Melanie Koster c/o Bateman Books, PO BOX 100-242 North Shore Auckland 0745 or, entries may be uploaded at the links below. enter INVENTION CHALLENGE here enter COLOURING COMPETITION here

  Come and help us celebrate the launch of The Wonderful Stranges on Wednesday 30 April  5.30pm at University Bookshop Canterbury RSVP here!

  We're counting down to the release of The Wonderful Stranges !  The official release date is 1 May, and we're celebrating with an official launch party at the University Bookshop Canterbury on 30 April. You can preorder your copy here:  https://ubscan.co.nz/product/wonderful-stranges/

We are super excited to share that our new book, The Wonderful Stranges , is coming soon! Published by Bateman Books and in bookstores from 1 May 2025.  

What an honour to have Elephant Park  included on the NZ Booklovers Awards 2025 Shortlist! Thank you to NZ Booklovers for selecting Elephant Park  for this list - Elly's in some fantastic company there! I'm very grateful to Jenny Cooper and the wonderful publishing team at Scholastic NZ.    https://www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/2025-awards

  Read the article in Nor'West News here

  Thank you  Kiwi Reviews  for the wonderful five star review of Elephant Park .

  If you're interested in getting your hands on one of my books, you can try one of these bookstores: Bookhub NZ University Bookshop Canterbury Piccadilly Bookshop Telling Tales Scorpio Books Kete Books Paper Plus Whitcoulls or get in touch with me and I'll see if I can help! My books are also available to borrow from the library. Christchurch City Libraries

  Elly won an award! I was over the moon to learn  Elephant Park  won a Storylines Notable Book Award 2024 - Picture Book List. Go Elly! 

 Christchurch City Libraries have penned a lovely article about Elephant Park .  https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/once-upon-an-elephant-bishopdales-favourite-playground-slide-and-the-book-it-inspired/

Three articles about Elephant Park  - the book and the slide. One in The Press online and the others by Christchurch City Council and Star News/Otago Daily Times. Click on the images to read the articles. 

 We received 149 entries for the Elephant Park  Writing Competition! Thank you to everyone who entered - it was wonderful reading all your fabulous poems and stories inspired by playground memories. We are very grateful to the fabulous Penny Scown at Scholastic NZ for judging. The results are in! We are delighted to announce the winners, runners-up and highly commended entries in both the Junior and Senior divisions. You can read the judge's comments here: And enjoy reading the winning entries below: Congratulations to our top placegetters Anisha, Amaia and Tiana (Juniors) and Agatha, Emma and Nathaniel (Seniors). Juniors: Anisha (6) WINNER - beautifully lyrical poem, wonderful use of descriptive and imaginative language Amaia (6) - RUNNER-UP -  very well written for a 6-year-old - competent retelling, detailing emotions and descriptions Tiana (8) - HIGHLY COMMENDED - good use of structure and language, draws the reader in Seniors: Agatha (9) - WINNER - Wow! Remarkable wr...