Interview: Amanda McKenzie

Little Thoughts Press Issue Twelve: Better Together with a sneak peek of the poem Eli's House by Amanda McKenzie

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Amanda McKenzie is a children’s writer and poet, mother of two and library fanatic. Her poetry has been published in The School Magazine, Little Thoughts Press and The Dirigible Balloon. Her poem ‘Peacock Mantis Shrimp’ was joint winner of The Poets XYZ 'Big Things, Little Things' Poetry for Children competition in 2025. You can find her playing with words and reviewing children’s books on Instagram @theplaypoet.

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Little Thoughts Press: Your poem “Save the Skink” was inspired by the conservation efforts of Haumoana Primary School in Hawke’s Bay, Aotearoa, New Zealand. Can you tell us a little more about the school and its efforts to protect the spotted skink? 

Amanda McKenzie: Haumoana School is a small semi-rural primary school that I once attended as a child and now my two children both attend. Haumoana is a beautiful coastal settlement nestled alongside a shingle beach that is home to many creatures including the kōkōwai/northern spotted skink (native to Aotearoa) but unfortunately their numbers are dwindling due to predators and habitat loss. In 2025, the school organised fundraisers in support of the National Aquarium of New Zealand’s new predator-proof skink enclosure that has since been built along Napier’s Marine Parade. 

Little Thoughts Press: Are there any other conservation efforts or organizations in Aotearoa that you'd like to call attention to?

Amanda McKenzie: Aotearoa is home to thousands of unique and wonderful native species but, like the kōkōwai, a large number of them are endangered. The Department of Conservation does great work to help educate people about how to protect these taonga. You can find more information about the work they do at doc.govt.nz.

Little Thoughts Press: Your poem “Eli’s House” beautifully and expertly tackles the topic of how we support each other in times of difficulty and grief. The loss of a person we love, and especially a parent, is a heavy subject for young readers, but of course one that many kids will experience in their childhoods. How did you approach writing this poem, and more generally, what advice would you offer to fellow writers for handling heavy, upsetting subjects with the kind of care and compassion you’ve exhibited in “Eli’s House”?

Amanda McKenzie: I approached this poem the way I do for all of the poems that I write for children—I imagine that I am my child self again. I thought of what a child would miss most about their parent and it often comes down to those small details (a favourite piece of clothing, their laugh, a weekend tradition) that carry so much of what a person means to us. My advice for those approaching heavier subjects would be to start with empathy at the forefront. Although "Eli’s House" is about something so inherently sad, I wanted the reader to feel a glimmer of hope as a reminder that there is light to be found, even in times of darkness.  

Little Thoughts Press: Our Better Together issue is all about community and people working together to make the world a better place. What are some actions, big or small, that you take to help make the world better? Are there any organizations that are doing good, important work that you want to shout out?

Amanda McKenzie: I think the small actions that we do every day all add up to a better world and raising readers plays a big part in that. Encouraging children to read widely and to embrace many different ideas, perspectives and ways of life is one of the best ways that we can contribute to a thriving future society. I also acknowledge that having books at home is a privilege. There are some great organisations out there ensuring that all children have access to books. In Aotearoa, Books in Homes NZ, The Storytime Foundation, and Kiwi Christmas Books are doing amazing mahi (work) in this space. 

Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids?

Amanda McKenzie: I started writing stories for children when I had my first child after rediscovering how much I enjoy reading kid-lit myself. I started writing poetry for children a year and a half ago. I was inspired to start thanks to a fantastic group of children’s poets in Aotearoa who run an annual poetry for children competition via their Facebook page, The Poets XYZ. 

The most challenging part of writing for young people is finding an idea that will resonate with them. Luckily I have two young people in my home who are constant sources of inspiration (and excellent critics!) I find it most rewarding when something I have written inspires a child to pick up a pen themselves. I like to think that being part of the kid-lit community is doing my part in growing readers, writers and as a result, more empathetic, open-minded adults. 

Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up?

Amanda McKenzie: I was lucky enough to be raised by a family of book lovers and my parents read many Aotearoa based authors to me. I loved picture books by Margaret Mahy. The Witch in the Cherry Tree, The Boy with Two Shadows, and The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate are three of my favourites). I also loved the classic Hairy Maclary series by Lynley Dodd. Roald Dahl was another favourite author as I moved onto chapter books and I remember Goosebumps, The Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High were top of my list (showing my age!)

Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out?

Amanda McKenzie: Humour is big in our house and I think Andy Griffiths is a master at this. His Treehouse series was devoured by my family and we are currently enjoying his latest You and Me series. Swapna Haddow is another favourite author—her Bad Panda, Dave Pigeon and Terrible Trio books are all winners for both me and the kids. My son has read Li Chen’s Detective Beans graphic novels about three times—they are hilarious. I also adore the Rabbit and Bear books by Jim Field and Julian Gough. Poetry wise, I have collections by Attie Lime, Sarah Ziman, Paula Green, Elena de Roo and a chapbook by Annelies Judson on my bookshelf that bring much joy when I pick them up for a quick fix of word play and juicy language. 

Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers?

Amanda McKenzie: Write down all of those fantastic ideas you have. Keep an exercise book or a notebook and fill it with any weird and wonderful thoughts that pop into your brain. You never know when you might get the urge to turn one of them into a story or poem. 

Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share?

Amanda McKenzie: I’m very excited to have a few poems coming out in The School Magazine later this year. As an aspiring writer it is still surreal to me to see my words in print and a real thrill to see the illustrations that accompany them. I was very grateful to Little Thoughts Press for including two of my poems in Issue 12.