Interview: Katie Furze talks about Pekapeka, Secret Forest Bat

Katie Furze writes children’s fiction and non-fiction, including picture books, short stories, articles, plays, readers and novels. Pekapeka, Secret Forest Bat is her third non-fiction picture book with Scholastic, following on from Tuatara, a Living Treasure (a finalist in the Non-Fiction category of the NZ Children’s Book Awards) and Ruru, Night Hunter. Katie has a master’s degree in creative writing and is fascinated by science and nature. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys the outdoors, tramping, yoga, travelling and scuba diving. Katie talks to NZ Booklovers.

Tell us a little about Pekapeka, Secret Forest Bat.

The book is set in ancient forest, and follows Pekapeka, a short-tailed bat, on her nocturnal adventures as she forages for food, evades predators, and plays a crucial role in pollinating native plants, all while navigating the many dangers hidden in the night.

What inspired you to write this book?

Bats (pekapeka) are Aotearoa New Zealand's only native land mammals. We have two types of pekapeka that are vastly different from each other.

I chose to focus on the New Zealand lesser short-tailed bat which is the only living species in the family Mystacinidae. Like a lot of wildlife in Aotearoa, these bats are very different to species found elsewhere in the world. They have unique adaptations – for example, they spend much of their time scurrying around on the ground with their wings folded up. They are endangered and rarely seen by people because they live deep in old-growth forests in isolated locations.

I wanted to write a book that would give children (and adults) insight into the life of these elusive and fascinating creatures and at the same time help pekapeka by raising knowledge and highlighting the importance of scientific research and conservation.

What research was involved?

I was able to read about all aspects of the bat’s biology and behaviour from reports and scientific papers, thanks to the excellent work of New Zealand scientists. Once I had finished my manuscript, I contacted a bat expert, to make sure I had everything right.

The most enjoyable part of my research was visiting the beautiful ancient forests where pekapeka are found, such as Whirinaki Te Puā-a-Tāne Conservation Park in the central North Island.

What was your routine or process when writing this book?

When writing nonfiction, I start by researching the topic as widely and thoroughly as I can, taking notes by hand. Usually as I research, I get a ‘feeling’ about the form and shape of the book I am going to write. When that feeling is strong enough, I start the first draft – always with pen on paper. Quite often I begin with a few lines of story, other times I scribble a plan. This often leads to more focussed research. It is a messy and playful process, but it works for me. Once I have a draft that I quite like, I type it up. After that, I revise the story with help from critique partners – there are usually many drafts over a few months, sometimes years.

If a soundtrack were made to accompany this book, name a song or two you would include.

Something from local rock band ‘The Bats’ would be fitting.

What did you enjoy the most about writing this picture book?

The part I enjoy most comes after the writing – I most enjoy being a member of a collaborative team with different skills, working together to make a beautiful book. With a picture book this is where the magic happens.

How did you work with the illustrator Ned Barraud?

I love working on books with Ned Barraud and the team at Scholastic! This is the third book Ned and I have created together, so we chat on a regular basis, but when Ned is working on the illustrations, I take a step back because illustration is not my area of expertise. It is important for the author to give the illustrator time and space to create their own vision of the story. Scholastic share the illustration roughs and the near-final layouts for my comments – which is wonderful.

What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?

When Pekapeka was sent to print, I felt happy, relieved, and grateful to everyone involved. I had a lovely dinner at a favourite local restaurant with my family to celebrate.

What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?

The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey – I found this gripping, deeply unsettling, and beautifully written which made it hard to put down.

What’s next on the agenda for you?

I’m off to Wellington in August for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults – our book RURU: Night Hunter is a finalist in the Elsie Locke Award for non-fiction!  After that, I’ll get stuck into edits on our next book – it’s about another very special native of Aotearoa. Look out for it in 2026!

Scholastic NZ