The Big Boil-Up

Book Author and Illustrator Angie Belcher & Zak Ātea
Rights Available World excl. ANZ, US and Canada

Her recipe is not written, but passed on down the line
throughout the generations – and now the time is mine!

Join Bubba and Mum as they prepare a boil-up that brings the whole whānau together. From hunting and gathering to simmering and sharing, The Big Boil-Up is a heartwarming story of tradition, family, heritage and aroha, with customs that may be familiar to many cultures around the world.

+ The Big Boil-Up celebrates a Māori food tradition and the special role kai plays in bringing whānau together

+ Written by Angie Belcher, whose authentic storytelling captures the joy and humour of family life through rich language and playful rhyme, making it ideal for reading aloud at home or in group settings

+ Illustrated by Zak Ātea in vibrant, expressive artwork that brings the whānau’s boil-up feast to life

Awards
2025 Storylines Notable Book Award winner

About the Author

Angie Belcher is both a writer and a teacher. Her love of outdoor adventure, including diving, caving, hiking, provide Angie with exciting writing prospects and have become the catalyst for many children’s books. Most of her books written for educational publishers can be found in New Zealand schools, but her favourite stories originate from her home at Māketu in the Bay of Plenty. Angie’s first book with Scholastic was Pipi Dance, illustrated by Lily Uivel, and a companion to The Big Boil Up, celebrating the summer, seaside tradition of collecting pipi to boil up for tea.

About the Illustrator

Zak Ātea (she/her), is a published Illustrator and Visual Artist originally from New Zealand, now based in Sydney, Australia. Her work includes editorial illustration, children’s book illustration, artist book design and fine art practices created through digital and traditional painting and drawing mediums. This is Zak’s first book with Scholastic.

Categories: , , , , , ,

Description

Publisher
Scholastic New Zealand Ltd

Extent
32pp

Format
250 x 240mm

Binding
Paperback

Category
Children’s

Genre
Picture Book

Age range
3 – 7 years

Publication Date
August 2025

Rights Available:
World, excl. ANZ, US and Canada

Rights Agents:

World
Lynette Evans, Scholastic New Zealand Ltd
levans@scholastic.co.nz

Contact Scholastic New Zealand about this book

The book title link will automatically be added to your message.

“This book highlights the importance of recipes that are handed down via the generations – not written down by hand. It shows how important the food is for whanau and family gatherings and shows how a recipe is handed down - the illustrations provide a free flowing feel as parts of the recipe are prepared and put in the pot for the gathering – each attendee for the gathering brings food that is added to the pot and mother is pregnant with a baby adding to the story of the continuation of the recipe and family.

The text is in clever rhyme and with the added “painting” like illustrations leaves the reader with a warm feeling of family and food.
”

Dusty Shelves

More from this publisher

Share