Happy Winter to the South, Happy Summer to the North and Happy Reading to All

​Dear Readers,

How are you all doing?

As I write this newsletter, New Zealand's government has announced that the country will be moving to Level 1 and life can go almost back to normal. At Alert Level 1, everyone can return without restriction to work, school, sports and domestic travel, and you can get together with as many people as you want. Well done New Zealand! There will still be restrictions on our international borders though. I guess this is a great opportunity for Kiwis to travel domestically and discover their amazing country while supporting local businesses.

As much as I'm happy for this incredible achievement in New Zealand,  I can't hide that I'm also terribly sad for what's still happening with the rest of the world. As Covid cases top 7 million, places like my beloved Brazil has one of the worse outbreaks during this pandemic. My heart goes out to all families of Covid victims. Sometimes I feel helpless and wanting to contribute in some manner... even if it's a small act. If you too feel this way, and would like to contribute in a positive way during these difficult times, I'm sharing two charities below that we've been supporting and posting on our social media lately. 

In our last newsletter I mentioned that Ben was born in Brazil and it was great to receive so many replies from readers saying they had visited Brazil! So awesome to learn you had a great time in our country. Brazil is truly a beautiful place with such friendly happy people, and I can only pray that they will get over this soon. I promised a few of you I would write back with some travel tips. I haven't forgotten! I will include these in our next newsletter. Hopefully it won't be long until we can all travel again!

Books, books, books! In this newsletter, we have a huge selection of books for you to discover! We have teamed up with many authors from different genres across the world to bring you these great choices. Read on!

 Be kind to one another. Stay safe. Look after yourself and each other. 

Talk again soon.
. Here is a great opportunity to donate to charities impacted by Covid-19. Our very own kiwi, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi, has been reading James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl in full, across 10 episodes - and he is joined by some rather famous faces along the way. All for a good cause!  You can find more info and donate here. Enjoy the readings!

. Another one of our favourite initiatives - Save with Stories. Charities Save the Children and No Kid Hungry are offering stories read by celebrities to provide fun and education to kids and parents stuck at home during the coronavirus outbreak. Your donation will help both charities make sure schools and community programs have the support they need to keep brains and bellies full. You can donate and find links to the stories here.
Thank you for following Ben's journey! Ben has published four books so far. His first book - Weirdo - was written when he was nine years old. Ben's books not only make a great gift, but can also show a child that dreams can come true with continued dedication and hard work.
Ben writes with an original and authentic voice that other
young people can connect to and be inspired by.
Learn more about Ben's books below:
WEIRDO
Meet Ugine. He is a right, proper weirdo. But with great weirdness comes great responsibility...
Ugine recently lost his parents. He now lives by himself. He has no friends at school, and everyone thinks he is weird... but when a school trip to Brazil ends in disaster, Ugine's weirdness might just come in handy. Will Ugine save his classmates? Or will they all be lost in the jungle forever...
'Weirdo' was written when Ben was just nine years old. Ben started writing his own stories to entertain his peers with the authentic, peculiar and hilarious voice only a child can have.
If your children love the funny stories by Dav Pilkey and the Tom Gates series they will enjoy this book.
Buy Ben's first book 'Weirdo' here!
Ages: 7+
THE MAGIC PENCIL
A school boy. A magic pencil. One chance to save the world.
When Bob finds an innocent-looking pencil on his way to school, little does he realize his life will never be the same again. Anything it draws magically comes to life.
Unknown to Bob, a dangerous gang of villains are not far behind. Desperately searching for the Magic Pencil, the Fakeys want to use the power of the pencil to take over the world, and they will let nothing stand in their way.
In a race against time, can Bob and his friends stay one step ahead of the Fakeys to save the world?
'The Magic Pencil' is an extraordinary adventure full of action, unexpected time-travel and imaginative scenarios.
If you like Roald Dahl and David Walliams' books, then you'll love this novel by Kiwi young author Ben Spies.
'The Magic Pencil' is written by 10 year old author Ben Spies. The true point of difference in Ben's books is that they are written by a child, for children. Through a child's eyes and with a child's voice.
Order your copy of 'The Magic Pencil' here and embark on Ben's latest adventure.
Ages: 8+
THE WORLD OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Ever wondered what the Greek myths look like through the eyes of a child?
Eleven-year-old author, Ben Spies, writes his version of some of the most thrilling tales from Greek mythology.
From Titans to Olympians, 'The World of Greek Mythology' delivers an action-packed retelling of the myths, from how the world was created to a personal take on some of the greatest and mightiest gods and goddesses.
Ben adds his quirky humour to each chapter as we follow the drama of the legendary Trojan War and the epic voyage of Odysseus.
But be warned: the gruesome world of Greek mythology is not for the faint of heart… get ready for bloody battles and horrible deaths.
If you love Greek mythology, or you’re keen to learn more, this book is sure to delight and captivate your imagination.
The World of Greek Mythology was the bronze medal winner for the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards in 2019.
If your children enjoyed the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan they will love this book!
Get your copy of 'The World of Greek Mythology' here.
Ages: 10+
2020
Earth's orbit is moving closer to the Sun and our planet is heating up at an alarming rate.
The spacecraft sent by NASA to find a new home for the human race has been destroyed by an alien force.
Twelve-year-old Jacob and his mother Susan are fighting for survival while witnessing the horrors of an apocalyptic world. With so many threats to our planet, the enemy may not come from outer-space, but from right here among us.
Susan and Jacob are quickly running out of time. However, hope might be on its way after all... just not from where they expected.
Will Susan and Jacob survive? Or will they fall prey to this dreadful, chaotic world?
'2020' is the fourth novel from teenage author, Ben Spies.
If you like heart-pounding action, high-stakes drama, and all things alien and sci-fi, you’ll love Ben’s new book.
Get your copy today here!
Ages: 11+
NEW PROMOS
We have teamed up with authors across the globe from different
genres to bring you a selection of great books.
Click on images below to purchase yours!




The children's books below are FREE.
Click on the image and choose your book to download!

Love reviewing? The book images below are for review copies! If you love writing reviews this is your chance!
To review a book, click on one of the images and choose your copy.


COOL READS FOR THIS MONTH!




Join our ARC team and receive Ben's books first!
If you love reviewing and would like to receive free early copies of Ben's books, let us know! Reviews help our books get noticed and seen when people are searching on Amazon! We would love for you to review Ben's books!
Contact us at: [email protected]
If you have already read one of of Ben's books and enjoyed it, please leave a review on Amazon!!
Leaving reviews helps Ben's books get discovered in searches and it would mean the world to us!! 
Click on the image below and choose a book to review!!
Thank you!!

 A GIFT FOR YOU!!!
Your FREE Weirdo
We value your support and Ben would like to gift you his very first book! You can now choose your favourite e-book format. PDF, E-PUB or MOBI. 
Weirdo is a great read for children aged 7 and older.
If you like his book, feel free to recommend it to your family and friends!!
You can join us on Facebook and Instagram to follow our news and events!
Spies Publishing fosters storytelling, creativity and pride.
Check our introductory video below for our new service
- MY FIRST BOOK - and contact us if you would like to create a book with your children's stories.

Thanks for reading and following our journey,