120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

We're Moving! 🚚 Our bookstore is closed today and this weekend. Open and Shipping again on Monday 🎉

The Boy Who Made Things Up

By Margaret Mahy
Series: Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
'Shall we just walk along, Dad, or shall we make some of it up?' Join Michael and his over-worked dad as they journey home one fun-filled afternoon. Overflowing with imagination, this wondrous and beautiful book is from the celebrated children's writer Margaret Mahy and award-winning illustrator... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2000
Elsewhere:
$2199
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'Shall we just walk along, Dad, or shall we make some of it up?'

Join Michael and his over-worked dad as they journey home one fun-filled afternoon.

Overflowing with imagination, this wondrous and beautiful book is from the celebrated children's writer Margaret Mahy and award-winning illustrator Lily Emo.

Praise for The Boy Who Made Things Up:

'Wildly beautiful artwork' - The Spinoff

Series: Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize

View all
  • The Boy Who Made Things Up
    'Shall we just walk along, Dad, or shall we make some of it up?' Join Michael and his over-worked dad as they journey home one fun-filled afternoon. Overflowing with imagination, this wondrous and beautiful book is from the celebrated children's writer Margaret Mahy and award-winning illustrator Lily Emo. Praise for The Boy Who Made Things Up: 'Wildly beautiful artwork' -...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • There's a King in the Cupboard
    A family had once moved into a different house.It was just a small family - a mum, a dad, and a little girl called Sarah. Well, this house was not exactly new - in fact it was one of those big old houses full of space and echoes.Come and explore this new home with Sarah and discover a mysterious cupboard...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Hardback
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Great White Man-Eating Shark
    Margaret Mahy's classic cautionary tale The Great White Man-Eating Shark is reimagined with delightfully cheeky illustrations from Herb MacDonald, the winner of the 2024 Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize. Welcome to Caramel Cove. The beach is amazing. The ocean is even better. Norvin loves to swim and shoot through the water like a silver arrow. He doesn't like sharing his beloved swimming spot...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate
    Margaret Mahy's bestselling classic, The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate, is reimagined with delightfully whimsical illustrations from Emma Collicott, the winner of the 2025 Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize. Sam lives an ordinary life in a big city far away from the ocean with his mum. He wears an ordinary brown suit every day to his ordinary job in an...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Hardback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2699
    Backorder
    Ships early October
  • Pre-order
    The Witch in the Cherry Tree
    It's a damp and dull day, but in the kitchen, it's warm and cosy. David and his mother are baking, and the delicious smells bring a greedy witch to their garden. Witches love to steal freshly baked cakes! She is going to use every magic trick she knows to steal their scrumptious treats, but can David outsmart her? A mouth-watering...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Board book
    $1699
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    Pre-order
    Out 27 Oct 2026
  • The Witch in the Cherry Tree
    It's a damp and dull day, but in the kitchen, it's warm and cosy. David and his mother are baking, and the delicious smells bring a greedy witch to their garden. Witches love to steal freshly baked cakes! She is going to use every magic trick she knows to steal their scrumptious treats, but can David outsmart her? A mouth-watering...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • The Great White Man-Eating Shark
    Margaret Mahy's classic cautionary tale The Great White Man-Eating Shark is reimagined with delightfully cheeky illustrations from Herb MacDonald, the winner of the 2024 Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize. Welcome to Caramel Cove. The beach is amazing. The ocean is even better. Norvin loves to swim and shoot through the water like a silver arrow. He doesn't like sharing his beloved...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • The Boy Who Made Things Up
    'Shall we just walk along, Dad, or shall we make some of it up?'Join Michael and his over-worked dad as they journey home one fun-filled afternoon.Overflowing with imagination, this wondrous and beautiful book is from the celebrated children's writer Margaret Mahy and award-winning illustrator Lily Emo.Praise for The Boy Who Made Things Up:'Wildly beautiful artwork' - The Spinoff
    By Margaret Mahy
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • The Boy with Two Shadows
    There once was a little boy who took great care of his shadow...One day a witch notices the care he has for his shadow and asks him to look after her shadow while she goes away on holiday. But minding a witch's shadow turns out to be more complicated than the boy ever imagined!Discover a magical and mischievous story about...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781869714482

Publisher: Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 April 2022

Country: New Zealand

Imprint: Little Moa

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 5.0mm

Width: 249.0mm

Height: 249.0mm

Weight: 170g

Pages: 32

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Children's Books Children's Picture Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational In Stock Books In Stock Kid's Books Margaret Mahy New Zealand and Australia Published New Zealand Children's Books New Zealand Published Series: Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize

About the Author

Margaret Mahy (Author)

Margaret Mahy (1936-2012) is one of New Zealand's most celebrated children's writers. She is the author of more than 150 titles, which have been translated into many different languages and sold around the world. Appointed to the Order of New Zealand in 1993, Mahy also won many global prizes for children's writers, including the Carnegie Medal and the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award.

'It is in the nature of books, that they have the capacity to make you feel powerful about what you can alter and achieve in your life' - Margaret Mahy

Lily Emo (Illustrator)

An award winning illustrator living in Nelson, New Zealand. Lily Emo spends her time juggling the demands of an illustration/art career and freelancing as a graphic designer and relief art teaching. Her portraiture work of Covid 19 essential workers was displayed in 2021 in The National Portrait Gallery in Wellington.

Lily Emo works with a range of mediums - from Procreate and photoshop to more traditional mediums like watercolour, gouache, graphite and coloured pencil.

You can find out more at www.lily.emo.com. Connect with Lily on Instagram @lily.emo

Also by Margaret Mahy

View all
  • A Lion in the Meadow
    A beautiful gift for the youngest readers in your life, this perennial favourite by Hans Christian Andersen Award-winning author Margaret Mahy is now available as a board book. The little boy said, "Mother, there is a lion in the meadow." The mother said, "Nonsense, little boy." Do you think there is a lion in the meadow? Award-winning author Margaret Mahy...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Board book
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Christmas Tree Tangle
    The Christmas Tree Tangle by the beloved Margaret Mahy is a typically exuberant and delightful Christmas story that captures the festive spirit and charm of the holiday season. Goodness gracious, what do I see? The kitten has climbed the Christmas tree! Climbed so high and climbed so far, to cling with her claws to the Christmas star. In this charming...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Summery Saturday Morning
    Embark on a whimsical adventure down to the sea on a radiant summer morning in A Summery Saturday Morning by Margaret Mahy. With the sun shining brightly and the sound of waves crashing gently on the shore, join a lively group as they journey down a wiggly track, scattering iridescent shells and leaping over fallen logs. The lively dogs are...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Board book
    $1599
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • A Summery Saturday Morning
    On a bright and cheerful Saturday morning, excitement fills the air in a small seaside town. This idyllic day unfolds as children and pets alike venture down the winding track towards the sea. With playful spirits, they scatter seashells and leap over logs. The journey is filled with joyous chaos as dogs chase after a curious cat, who in turn,...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Great Piratical Rumbustification
    Yo ho ho! All across the city, the pirates are getting restless and long for a party. So when a retired pirate comes to babysit for the Terrapin family, they are in for quite a surprise... From the rumbustious author and artist team of Margaret Mahy, winner of the Carnegie medal, and Quentin Blake, the first Children's Laureate, and best...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    $1699
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • 17 Kings and 42 Elephants
    Seventeen kings on forty-two elephants Going on a journey through a wild wet night... Join the kings and the elephants on their jungle journey, meeting new creatures as they dance and sing their way through the jungle. From one of New Zealand's most celebrated children's writers, this is Margaret Mahy's beautiful classic reimagined with illustrations from Alba Gil Celdran, the...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Hardback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Down The Back of the Chair
    When Dad loses his car keys, toddler Mary suspects that they have ended up down the back of the chair, so Dad begins to search. But what an odd assortment of objects are living down the back of the chair! This lively, eccentric poem is a visual explosion of fun and imagination, featuring dragons, pirates, treasure, lions, elephants and many...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Boy Who Was Followed Home
    Robert is delighted when a hippopotamus follows him home from school one day. The next day he is followed by four hippos, then nine, and eventually his yard is crowded with hippos - and that is just the beginning! A captivating tale where an everyday trip becomes a magical experience. From award-winning author Margaret Mahy and bestselling illustrator Steve Kellogg.
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Lion in the Meadow
    The little boy said, "Mother, there is a lion in the meadow." The mother said, "Nonsense, little boy." Do you think there is a lion in the meadow? Award-winning author Margaret Mahy tells a delightful story of truth and imagination. A classic tale for every child, illustrated charmingly by Jenny Williams. 'Children can sense a good story like a successful...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Lion in the Meadow
    I ki atu te tamaiti, E whae, he raiona kei roto i nga otaota. Ka ki mai te whaea, Horihori, e Tama. E mea ana koe he raiona kei roto i nga otaota? Ka takutakutia e Margaret Mahi tetahi paki whakamiharo, mo te pono, mo te pohewa. He maha nga tohu honore i whakawhiwhia ki a Margaret. He purakau tino...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Paperback
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Moon And Farmer McPhee
    The cows and sheep think Farmer McPhee should stop frowning and start frisking. But Farmer McPhee just wants to get some sleep! Then one moonlit night, something changes...A collaboration between our best loved writer for children, Margaret Mahy, and the wonderfully quirky illustrator, David Elliot, this is a stunning and heart-warming book. Beautifully produced with cut-out sections and fold-out pages,...
    By Margaret Mahy and David Elliot
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • There's a King in the Cupboard
    A family had once moved into a different house.It was just a small family - a mum, a dad, and a little girl called Sarah. Well, this house was not exactly new - in fact it was one of those big old houses full of space and echoes.Come and explore this new home with Sarah and discover a mysterious cupboard...
    By Margaret Mahy
    Hardback
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

More from Children's Books

View all
  • Gruffalo Granny
    The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...
    By Julia Donaldson
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    Backorder
    Ships early October
  • New Release
    The Comeback Kid
    Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...
    By Airana Ngarewa
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    By Mojang AB
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Giant Heart
    Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. “[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...
    By David Hill
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Ms Rachel: My First Little Library
    New Release
    Ms Rachel: My First Little Library
    Learn about colours, animals, words and numbers with Ms Rachel in this early learning boxset. This little set contains four board books that help introduce children to early concepts. Perfect for younger readers, each chunky book will keep little hands occupied at home, or on the move. And, once you’re done reading (and re-reading), the four books come together to...
    By Ms Rachel
    Board book
    $1599
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Protector of Beyond 1
    New Release
    Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Protector of Beyond 1
    Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...
    By Shara Curlett
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    By Graeme Base
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Little Kiwi Builder
    New Release
    The Little Kiwi Builder
    Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...
    By Tim Saunders
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • You Choose Party Time You Choose Party Time
    New Release
    You Choose Party Time
    It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...
    By Pippa Goodhart
    Hardback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    By Qiane Matata-Sipu
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Children's Books lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all