How to have kids and stay sane by Nigel Latta, illustrated by Daryl Crimp, Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers (NZ) Ltd, NZ RRP $19.99, Reading age: expecting and current parents

From the very first page I knew this book would give me a chuckle.  Perhaps this extract, found on page four, gives you a good idea just how good this book is.

 ...And here's where we reached the crunch point, my boy and me, because I knew a 'good parent' would soldier on. A 'good parent' would sit and watch the whole thing whilst saying the colours out loud and being suitably encouraging. A 'good parent' would sing, and count, and jiggle. A 'good parent' would STIMULATE their precious little one's BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.

We sat there for a bit, me and my boy. I knew that my next step was important. Whatever I did next would set the tone for the whole parenting experience.

Everything went very quiet. ...

Nigel for his part should know a thing or two about parenting — he is, after all, a clinical psychologist! But, like all parents, the kid training manual doesn't cover 'your' child!

'Watermark', 'Dark' and 'Zillah' by Penelope Todd, Publisher: Longacre Press, NZ RRP: $18.99, Reading age: 13+

Having just completed the interview with Penelope Todd, it doesn't surprise me at all that her book 'Dark' was a finalist in the 2005 NZ Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Penelope's books will have your teenagers glued to each page and eager to read the next book in the series.

The trilogy begins with 'Watermark' and this book sets the scene for the following two books.

Zillah is 18 years old and when Joss and Hep, a mysterious brother and sister, invite her to Roimata on the wild West Coast, her life changes forever.

'Dark' is the next in the trilogy and is set a year later in Roimata. Here Joss, Hep's brother, begins a downward spiral and Zillah finds that she can do nothing to help him. Without giving too much away, this book, which you could read on its own, is one that you just can't put down.

The last book in the trilogy is 'Zillah'.  Let's just say that this book is spellbinding and a fitting end to these psychological thrillers.  Zillah's disquieting past is brought back to life by the meeting of four strangers she meets and her love of two summers, Joss. 

I should note here that 'Zillah' is more suited to children around 15 years and over due to some of its contents.