Upstart Press

25/09/2025

How's the first week of the school holidays treating you?

If you've nearly run out of ideas to keep the kids entertained these holidays, then we have some great recommendations for you!

From dragons, to the night sky and drawing, we have something for everyone 🐉✏🔭

Donovan Bixley Author/Illustrator
Maria Gill Children's Books

09/09/2025

"Leonardo’s Dragon is wonderfully imaginative, and the illustrations are beautiful. This is an extraordinary book that families everywhere will enjoy."

Thank you for the lovely review Karen McMillan (NZ Booklovers).

Find Donovan's new title in store and online 📚

Check out the full review of 'Leonardo's Dragon' at the link below!

Donovan Bixley Author/Illustrator

Donovan Bixley has won numerous awards for his distinctive illustrations. In his latest book, he immerses himself in the world of Leonardo da Vinci through a series of stories about dragons. The book is inspired by Leonardo’s pet dragon, which was apparently a large lizard that Leonardo liked to g...

06/09/2025

"A love letter to Aotearoa, this fascinating book celebrates what makes New Zealand great, but also the things we can do better."

A great mention of our new release 'Arohanui: My Aotearoa New Zealand' in the 'Best Books' section of the New Zealand Herald the other week!

Thank you Karen McMillan for the review.

05/09/2025

The details are *chef's kiss* 🤌

05/09/2025

We love these letters from fans of the Flying Furballs series!

15/08/2025

Out Now!

'How to Spot a Di****ad', written by Kathryn Burnett and Nick Ward, is THE guide to spotting di*****ds in every day life 🔎

Grab your copy online and in store now 📚

14/08/2025

'Arohanui: My Aotearoa New Zealand' is out now!

'Arohauni' is an inspiring and beautiful book that celebrates our country. It features well-known New Zealanders like Sam Neil, John Kirwan, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Winston Peters, and many not so well known.

Grab your copy online and in store now 📚

13/08/2025

Happy publication day to Leonardo's Dragon! 🐉

Leonardo's Dragon is perfect for independent readers 8+. It takes you on a fascinating story especially if you're interested in dragons and history, revisiting such famous stories as “St George and the Dragon”.

Congratulations Donovan Bixley Author/Illustrator on another amazing book – the details and tales are extraodinary!

Get your copy now in store and online 📚

13/08/2025

'Leonardo's Dragon' is out tomorrow! 🐉

It's the one, the only, THE Donovan Bixley Author/Illustrator! In town to visit a school, he popped in to give us a sneak preview of his upcoming book, Leonardo's Dragons, in store some time in September. Yes, DRAGONS! Five historical dragon stories (think St George), re-imagined in Donovan's inimitable style.
Sing out if you'd like to pre-order from us, and take a look at Upstart Press's page for more glorious illustrations and some notes:
https://upstartpress.co.nz/announcements/leonardos-dragon-sneak-peek

13/08/2025

Take-Off with the Flying Furballs! ✈️

The wonderful 'Flying Furballs Take-off!' is a large format full-colour collection of stories and fun facts. Perfect for young adventurers!

12/08/2025

Out Thursday!

'Arohanui: My Aotearoa New Zealand' is an inspiring and beautiful book that celebrates our country. It shows over 100 New Zealanders talking about what the country means to them, the special and the worrying.

Get your copy in store and online 📚