This year I got the chance to find out, when Huia asked me to edit a picture book by Patricia Grace. In fact it was a double whammy, because the subject of the book was another national treasure: the Haka. Of course, the story was beautifully written, but what a relief to find one or two things that I thought could do with a tweak. So I was able to add a final sheen, and I felt honoured to have done my bit ��� one of my editing highlights of the year.

And here, in no particular order, are the other four:

1. The Bold Ship Phenomenal, by Sarah Johnson. When it���s not really work. Sarah���s writing is lyrical, warm-hearted and funny. This is a New Zealand adventure story with a touch of magic, for 8���12-year-olds. Sarah is an indie author, and it is wonderful to see this book on the shelves of major bookshops and getting rave reviews in the likes of the New Zealand Herald. Fabulous cover and internal illustrations by Deborah Hinde, too.

2. The Prankster and the Ghost, by R.L. Stedman. Another ���not really work��� job. Funny and beautifully written, again for 8���12-year-olds. Here���s a link to a review by Christchurch Libraries��� Zac McCallum: http://bestfriendsarebooks.com/2015/10/22/the-prankster-and-the-ghost-by-r-l-stedman/

3. Lily Max: Satin, Scissors, Frock, by Jane Bloomfield. Jane asked me to read through the manuscript before sending off to her publisher, and I loved it from page 1. Lily Max is quirky, funny and warm and I predict great things (like a TV series!) for her. Then I met Jane in the (fabulous) flesh at the Tinderbox conference in Wellington and really she was just a grown-up Lily Max. Jane���s book was also deservedly featured in the NZ Herald���s Best Books for Christmas list and is flying off the bookshelves.

4. Ah yes, Tinderbox! This year, after several months of fretting (putting it mildly), I proved to myself I could stand up and talk usefully in front of a large group of people that included many Big Names ��� twice. But even more than that, Tinderbox confirmed my suspicions that if you���re a children���s writer or illustrator in NZ, you are part of possibly the nicest group of people (cue Jeremy Clarkson voice) ��� In The World.

Merry Christmas!