Scholastic New Zealand Award
for Best Children’s Book 2026
Finalist
Designer: Te Kani Price, Tahlia Conrad-Hinga, Sophie Hooper
Title: A Guide to Rocks | He Taonga te Toka
Publisher: Huia Publishers
Format: 270 x 240mm, 44pp, paperback with large spot UV on front cover
Typography: Cover: Adaptation of two weights of Mangrove Sans
Interior: Sofia Pro soft medium, size: 11.5, leading: 16.5
Interior accent: Tomarik Extrovert, size: 11.5, leading: 16.5
Bespoke typographic treatments in image and on cover pairing of both Josh Morgan and HUIA designers.
Publisher’s Brief
“Deliver a complete design that builds upon the Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan brand and elevate it for a slightly older reader. The design needs to tell the story arc of the fallibility of parents and the intimacy and separation of a redemption plot in an exuberant way.
The book needs a local and international appeal and have a shelf life beyond the current spotlight on wellbeing. Find a way to straddle textural notes with the blokey, spoof-like charm whilst still preserving the emotional gut punch in the story.”
