Toitoi: a journal for young writers and artists

Toitoi publishes original work from New Zealand writers and artists aged between 5 and 13 years old.

The Remarkables by Ollie Ridd, age 8

Words by Ruby Trewinnard, age 7. Picture by Ruby Santos Jackson, age 6.

Words by Te Maia Kora, age 11. Picture by Courtney Yeoman, age 12.

Words by Corban Farnley, age 11. Picture by Cleo Exell, age 9

Words by Sylvie Kidd, age 10. Picture by Keira Haig, age 11.

Eskdale school students read Toitoi

Toitoi Box of Journals

A glance through the quarterly journal reveals not only how talented, but how deep thinking and open-hearted our young people are, says editor Charlotte Gibbs.

The idea for a journal began when Charlotte's middle daughter Georgie wrote a poem about a pesky mosquito that she was really proud of.

Her teacher sent it around New Zealand for publication but nothing happened. Charlotte then sent it to the US Children's Poet Laureate, who, much to George's delight, wrote an encouraging reply.

Charlotte, who has a background in publishing, then started producing Vox, a stapled booklet of creative work from the pupils of Georgie's school Vauxhall Primary.

The first year, each child at Vauxhall was given a copy of Vox on the last day of school.

"It was midday and the bell rang and everyone was heading out for their summer holidays. Rather than racing for the gate, they were all sitting on the field reading this book – and they loved it."

Charlotte requested submissions from other schools and spent a bit of time working on the design for next version of Vox.

"Then I took a very very big deep breath and I sent it to every primary and intermediate school in the country and said 'This is the idea. I want to create a national journal'."

For the first issue of Toitoi, she received 600 submissions from around the country.

Now they get around 1,000 per issue.

Toitoi's aim is to look young artists in the eye and treat them with absolute respect, she says.

"What I want it to be 'This is my experience of the world, these are my ideas, this is my imagination – what's yours?'

The submissions give her hope for humanity, she says.

"I'm astounded by how deep thinking and open-hearted our young people are."

"They're paying so much attention to what's going on around them – and it all comes through."

Toitoi is available in 300 schools, 50 public libraries and selected independent bookstores around the country.

Teachers and individuals can subscribe through the website.