A local literature association is marking its 40th anniversary this year by printing a collection of writing and illustrations by some of New Zealand’s best-loved authors to sell to the public.

Bookrapt (Bay of Plenty Children’s Literature Association) will launch Bookrapt’s Treasury of tales for children and young people written by Bay storytellers next month.

The anthology was collated by Tauranga author and publisher Debbie McCauley and includes 78 stories and poems, with 202 illustrations and 37 photographs across a broad range of genres, along with much-loved out-of-print titles.

Bookrapt president Angie Belcher said her group’s members decided to create a taonga (treasure) for families to celebrate the group’s four-decade milestone.

“We wanted to make a book so special that it will be handed down through generations,” Belcher said. “It’s turned out fantastically, with loads of fun and interesting stories for kids to dip into.”

Belcher said the book would be launched on August 21 – and was timely, with the spotlight on dropping literacy rates in Aotearoa.

“Bookrapt (the Bay of Plenty Children’s Literature Association) has championed children’s literacy in the Bay of Plenty for more than four decades,” she said.

“Its members comprise local librarians, teachers, authors and illustrators – all committed to helping children develop a lifelong love of reading.”

McCauley said the Bay of Plenty had long been home to some of New Zealand’s best-loved storytellers. Hairy Maclary creator Dame Lynley Dodd, an original Bookrapt member, had contributed an original illustration to Bookrapt’s Treasury.

“Other well-known authors and illustrators including Susan Brocker, Rachel Weston, Lee Murray, Sheryl Jordan, Debbie Tipuna, and many more, have contributed,” McCauley said.

“We’ve made it a strong, hardback book, so it will withstand a lot of love from its readers.”

Bookrapt’s Treasury will be available in good bookstores, through Wheelers, and the Bookrapt team.

To pre-order, email the publisher at: mauaopublishing@gmail.com or visit: https://debbiemccauleyauthor.wordpress.com/books