We’re excited to be giving away three copies of Lost in the Wild: A Dog’s Tale by Maria Artho to our GrownUps members!
To be in the draw, simply make sure you’re a GrownUps member, signed up to our newsletter, and fill in your details at the bottom of the page.
About Lost in the Wild: A Dog’s Tale
A heartwarming children’s book with an eco-friendly message
Lost in the Wild: A Dogs’ Tale a new illustrated children’s book inspired by a true story, invites young readers on a tense and tender journey through Aotearoa New Zealand’s native bush. Aimed at children aged 3 to 8, the book follows two small family dogs as they become lost, face real forest dangers, while their family searches desperately for them.
The story follows Maddi and Borrie — the real-life canine stars — as they navigate rugged terrain and encounter feral goats, a boar and a possum. Alongside a dramatic “will-they-find-home” arc, author Maria Artho weaves clear, age-appropriate lessons about the threats posed by introduced predators to native wildlife and the importance of humane, community-led conservation. Sharon C Fergusson’s vibrant illustrations bring the bush and its inhabitants to life, making the book a natural fit for schools, libraries and family bookshelves.
Author Maria Artho lives in the ecologically protected Matakana Hills. Maria finds inspiration in both her beautiful surroundings and her life experiences. She shares this nature-oriented life with her Swiss-born husband, a metal sculptor, and together they have nine adventurous grandchildren who keep their world lively.
A topic close to Maria’s heart, Maria actively manages pests such as rats and wasps; while husband Joe manages the possums. Their small part alongside the volunteer trappers in the greater area has made a noticeable difference to the abundance of native wildlife. In March 2023 kiwi were introduced to the area. Her first-hand conservation work informs the book’s author’s note, explaining the threat of invasive animals, the need for humane eradication methods and the importance of respecting all animals. A glossary helps young readers and caregivers understand key terms used in the story.
Lost in the Wild offers both a classic feel-good “Lassie Come Home” spirit and a timely conservation message specific to New Zealand’s environment. In March 2023, community conservation efforts in the Matakana Hills were deemed successful enough to introduce kiwi to the area, illustrating the positive outcomes community action can achieve.
Lost in the Wild is a heartwarming, Lassie-style drama with a feel-good tone that also educates viewers about the biodiversity threats facing our native species.
About Maria Artho
Maria Artho has spent her life with children—helping, supporting, and learning from them. She worked as a teacher aide with students who have special education needs and has used that experience to shape her creative work. Maria has designed playful educational tools, from memory card games that make learning fun for all ages to picture books for young readers. Her debut picture book, Jin’s Great Escape, tells the true story of Jin, a clever otter who staged a Houdini-level breakout from Auckland Zoo in 2006. Maria is also the creator and founder of the popular NZ IN A BOX® memory card series, which includes Te reo Māori, Animals of NZ, and Explore NZ.
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Terms and conditions
You must be a GrownUps member and subscribed to our newsletter to be eligible to enter.
The competition closes on 22nd April 2026. Winners will be notified via email by 23rd April 2026.
It is your responsibility to provide a correct New Zealand postal address for prize delivery. GrownUps is not responsible for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
Winners will be drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
GrownUps employees and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.
By entering, you agree to GrownUps using your name on social media as a winner of the competition.
One entry per household.
The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other items.
You must reside in New Zealand, as the prize can only be delivered within New Zealand.
You must be over 50 years of age to enter. Please ensure your membership details are up to date in your dashboard.
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