Scholastic New Zealand Award
for Best Children’s Book 2025
Finalist
Designer: Megan van Staden with illustrations by Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho
Title: Piki te Ora: Your Wellbeing Journal
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand
Format: 260 x 190mm, 252pp, paperback with flaps.
Typography: Headings: Bright and PestoFresco
Body: Moderat
Publisher's Brief
"Loosely based on the author's bestselling Whakawhetai: Gratitude, Piki te Ora: Your Wellbeing Journal is aimed towards a younger readership. Given that, illustrator Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho (Tūhoe/Ngāti Porou/Rongowhakaata/Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi/Ngāti) created illustrations are slightly retro, colourful and playful, while incorporating Māori symbols and elements throughout.
Huriana used bright colours, with a rainbow motif used throughout, including coloured borders giving the edge of the pages a rainbow effect. Some favourite elements include the tiki emotion faces and the Matariki section, where we were able to reuse star icons and repeat star illustrations as colour in pages.
We wanted the journal to feel optimistic and a safe space for readers to reflect on their wellbeing. We used Moderat body font to ensure legibility and allowed for generous white space to avoid the journal feeling overwhelming and to give room for doodling, journaling and having fun."
