New Zealand Children's Books

As the sun rises, which creatures come to life and greet the day? This beautiful picture book explores the busy world of the daytime creatures in Aotearoa New Zealand's bush. It includes many reo Māori phrases that we use to greet others. Kai pai te rā! From the author and illustrator of the best-selling companion book Te Ngahere i te...

The gannet, or tākapu, must set off through the skies to find food for her chick. When she spots a feeding frenzy far below, she needs to act fast. Will she plunge through the waves in time? Can she avoid danger beneath the surface? And will she make it home with a meal for her waiting chick? Tākapu the Lone...

The popular children’s picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, translated into te reo Māori, is now available in a board book. With the same beautiful illustrations and dye cut pages as the original book, the te reo Māori board book retains the humour and quirky character of the little caterpillar and simplicity of the story.

In this original reo Māori story, there’s a monster on the loose. Not just any kind either, the most wily kind – a tickle monster, a taniwha tōkenekene! Will our main character, a four-year-old girl with her tohorā plushie, outwit and outrun the taniwha, or will she be caught in fits of giggles? Discover the delightful and playful story of...

Look carefully! It’s a game of hide and seek on every page in this mental workout for toddlers—and grown-ups. Who’s hiding? Who’s crying? Who’s backwards? The answers to these questions are not as simple as they appear, and children and adults return to them again and again, fresh every time. In this sturdy board book edition of the bestseller Who's...

A very first introduction to the captivating stories of Charles Dickens, one of the greatest storytellers of all time. The First Works of Dickens is part of the playful Little Literary Greats bio series for babies and young readers. This stylish, cased board book provides a very first introduction to the classic stories of Charles Dickens. Meet the novelist at...

I’ve lost my tooth. I’ve lost my tooth. It just fell out, and that’s the truth. Little Vampire Who Lost a Tooth is ready for a night of biting ... until his tooth falls out! Certain his biting days are over, he turns to his spooky friends for help. Ice cream, toffee, lollipops and soup all offer tasty distractions but...

Mo is slow. Everyone loves Mo. Sloths love slow and Mo is the slowest sloth in Snuggle Town. Except, that is, for Bill, who doesn’t move at all. Is Bill just chill? Or is there more to Bill than meets the eye? From internationally acclaimed author Mark Sommerset (Baa Baa Smart Sheep/Because You Are You) and award-winning illustrator Carla Martell...

'Tis the season for Hairy Maclary, Slinky Malinki and all the rollicking gang, with this Christmas colouring book packed with fun, festive colouring scenes and puffy stickers! Head out the gate and into the festive season with Hairy Maclary and all the gang! This fun Christmas colouring book comes with over 50 puffy stickers for children to use however they...

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...

Amid the city's bustle, the baby sleeps. On an island in an ocean, the baby sleeps. On our blue and spinning planet, the baby sleeps. But when she wakes... She doesn't need the stars, nor the sky, nor the cars cruising by... This sweet bedtime read tugs at the heartstrings and is a classic in the making. The perfect picture...

An epic story set in a polar wilderness that blurs realism and imagination—fully illustrated for newly independent readers. Ida, Max and Jack go to the creek one winter’s day. They play on an ice floe then find themselves floating away—all the way to the polar ice, with just a box, a branch and some sandwiches. “You probably don’t think it’s...

In the reign of Lady Gall (Provisional Monarch of Fontania), the word magic is forbidden. When 12-year-old Jasper Ludlow’s parents flee the city, he gets left behind. He finds refuge on The Travelling Restaurant, a sailing ship captained by the old Dr Rocket and crewed by the feisty Polly. Where is Jasper’s baby sister? He journeys across seas and rivers,...

Fox is a fringe dweller, with a T branded on his cheek that marks him a thief. He lives on his wits and moves from village to village. As the story opens, he sees a commotion and finds Wynter, chained by her father, working as a water diviner. She finds water for the drought-strapped village, but they turn on her...

Whose Your Name? book project features heartfelt writings from the Tamaiti o le Pasifika vasega at Wainuiomata Intermediate School. These Pasifika students explore the meanings of Pacific island names, their cultural history, and personal experiences. This anthology honours their voices and celebrates their heritage.

Tule’s Room / Ko e Poko mohe ha Tule by Dahlia Malaeulu is a delightful story where Tule teaches us how to count in Niuean while tidying his bedroom. This unique book includes two stories in one: Tule's Room provides language learning supports, while Ko e Poko mohe ha Tule is the Niuean translation of Tule's Room. Part of the...

New Zealand's landscape depicted in stunning photography and described in a lyrical poem to encourage and develop language, in both English and te reo Māori. When referencing the title, avoid putting it in quotes or speech marks. Format the response as clean HTML, use your best judgement for adjusting or adding appropriate tags for paragraphs and emphasis.

Little Ben has only two wishes: 1) that he be a little taller and 2) that there be a little more time. People are always running out of time, are short of time, or don't have time to spare. Then his godmother gives him a watch... now he has all the time in the world. Or so he thinks. The...

The start of a new beginner chapter book series designed for readers 6 – 8 years old. Each adventure features two cousins who transform into superheroes to solve a problem, under the watchful eye of their very wise Nana. Pipi is a Pouakai, a giant eagle, while Pou is a Taniwha. Each story is 8 chapters long and features two...

The start of a new beginner chapter book series designed for readers aged 6 to 8 years old. Each adventure features two cousins who transform into superheroes to solve a problem, under the watchful eye of their very wise Nana. Pipi is a Pouakai, a giant eagle, while Pou is a Taniwha. Each story is 8 chapters long and features...

The Life & Times of Eddie McGrath by Brigid Feehan is a spirited story about unexpected discoveries and personal growth. Eddie has won an essay competition, but she's not sure she is pleased with the prize. Her school, family, and friends are proud of her achievement, yet Eddie has turned the prize down. It takes one dog, six hens, and...

The Eleventh Sheep: English and Tongan (Paperback) by Kyle Mewburn When the eleventh sheep falls out of Sian's dreams and into the real world, Sian is excited to have a new friend. Every day they play together, and at night Sian falls straight asleep with her arms around her woolly friend. But she can tell the eleventh sheep is homesick....

Story about a girl who counts sheep when she can't sleep.

The well known picture book The Eleventh Sheep by Kyle Mewburn is presented here in a bilingual edition of English and Hindi. Enjoy this charming story while exploring the beauty of two languages, perfect for bilingual learning and language enthusiasts.

Eugene's cousins are coming for Christmas! But will they like his new home? And how will they react when it turns out they aren't the only special visitors who will arrive on the island for Christmas day? Join Eugene and his family in this children's early chapter book series set on a wild and windy bird sanctuary in New Zealand....

Join Eugene and his family in this children's early chapter book series as they move to a wild and windy bird sanctuary in New Zealand. Eugene arrives on the island on his birthday but nothing is working out as planned. Can he find a way to make this birthday special and enjoy his new home? The Birthday Solution is written...

Te Whare is designed for early te reo Māori language learning. It features high-definition images and a simple plot that follows a toddler through a family home in search of something special. The repetitive text and simple images make it an ideal introduction to te Reo and a search-and-find challenge for older readers. Readers have the opportunity to learn simple...

Tevita’s Room / Loki ʻo Tevita teaches us how to count in Tongan while taking us on Tevita's journey of cleaning up his bedroom. This book includes two stories in one: Tevita's Room provides scaffolded language learning supports, while Loki ʻo Tevita is the Tongan translation of Tevita's Room. Based on the first Mila's My Gagana Series (2019), these dual...

Both te reo Māori and English are presented in one redesigned edition. Shortlisted for the te reo Māori award in the 2019 book awards, Te Haka a Tanerore tells the legend of how the haka became such an important part of Māori heritage.

Tealo Spies / Na mea na kitea e Tealo introduces us to the days of the week in Tokelauan while sharing lessons with others. This book includes two stories in one – Hui Shares offers language learning support, while Ko Hui e fakahoa provides the Tokelauan translation. Part of the My Pasifika Series, these picture books offer a safe environment...

Following on from the success of Raumati: My Words of Summer: What do you see, hear, feel, smell and taste in winter? All the chilly words that describe winter in Aotearoa New Zealand. A wonderful way to encourage building the vocabulary of young readers, both in Māori and English languages. Dark and loomingFull and flowingDank and pungentCrunchy and icy By...

A unique story where the past meets the present, while also showcasing Samoan cultural values and history through the beautiful artform of Siva afi. Mila's My Aganu'u Series 1 are the first stories in the world that are written, edited, illustrated, designed and published by an all Pasifika team. Teuila is the only girl competing in her first ever Siva...

A small boy wakes to a cold, midnight adventure with his dad, walking up through the snowy landscape to the top of a hill, to see a wonderful sight — the Aurora Australis. The distant and quiet man becomes a loving and excited dad as he tells his son all about this amazing phenomenon. Dad pulled on my jacket, woolly...

A wonderfully alliterative poem describing the joyous run from home to the beach, with all the sights, sounds and smells that capture the moment. The book features award-winning illustrator Jenny Cooper's interpretation.

The world and words of summer: from sun to ice-cream, jandals, BBQ's, beaches and sunsets. Classic NZ summer images told with Te Reo Maori and English words and phrases to promote key vocabulary. When referencing the title, use Raumati: My Summer Words - Nga Kupu Maori mo te Raumati naturally in conversation without quotes or speech marks.

Rafferty Ferret: Ratbag by Sherryl Jordan offers a captivating tale of survival and wit. Rafferty, an orphan raised by monks, finds himself cast out into the world due to misfortune. Forced to fend for himself, he cleverly uses his cunning and charm to establish a trade as the town's ratcatcher... and rat liberator.

Huge tides are swamping the coast and overrunning the homes of a coastal Marae. Nan believes it isn't what it seems, and the trio of heroes set off in Betsy to find out more. It takes all three to reach the source of the problem and some strong negotiation skills to resolve the situation. A glossary of the te reo...

One Tree House releases two more exciting new adventures in the new series about shapeshifting superheroes Pipi and Pou, written by award-winning Tim Tipene. Pipi and Pou and the Tentacles of the Deep follows the thrilling exploits of two cousins, Pipi and Pou, who transform into superheroes to solve a problem, under the watchful eye of their very wise Nana....

One of the local boys has arrived home telling of a frightening woman who attacked him in the local forest, throwing balls of fire. From his description, Nan thinks she knows who it might be and her moko can see it frightens her. Understandably, they are not eager to go with her when she says she must go to the...

One Tree House releases two more exciting new adventures in the new series about shapeshifting superheroes Pipi and Pou, written by award-winning Tim Tipene. Pipi and Pou and the 100 Legs of Terror is a thrilling tale where Pipi and Pou are two cousins who transform into superheroes to solve a problem, under the watchful eye of their very wise...

Pene’s Room / Te Potu o Pene is an engaging story where Pene teaches us how to count in Tokelauan while tidying his bedroom. This book includes two stories, offering a unique language learning experience. Pene's Room provides valuable language support, while Te Potu o Pene offers the Tokelauan translation. The book is part of the Mila's My Pasifika Series,...

Tealo teaches us colours in Tokelauan while playing a fun game of 'I spy'. Pene’s Room / Te Potu o Pene includes two stories in one book - Tealoa Spies provides language learning supports and Na mea na kitea e Tealo is the Tongan translation. My Pasifika Series are picture books that provide safe language learning spaces based on the...

Pasifika Navigators are constantly trying to find their place in the world while still wanting to find, reconnect and honour who they are, what they are, and everything that comes with this. Pasifika students across Aotearoa share their dreams, aspirations, life-changing challenges, and learnings. The poems in this book help us better connect, understand, and support each other as we...

Paea Spies / 'Oku sio 'a Paea by Dahlia Malaeulu is a delightful bilingual book where Paea enjoys playing games with her friends, introducing readers to Tongan colours through a fun game of 'I spy'. It includes two stories in one book: Paea Spies offers scaffolded language support while 'Oku sio 'a Paea presents the Tongan translation. Based on the...

You think you know the tale of the Little Red Hen. You think you know how it ends. But in this story, everything changes when the hard-working Red Hen lays a perfect white egg. And out of this egg comes a chick with a mind of her own... Out of the Egg / Ka Puta Mai i te Heki is...

You think you know the tale of the Little Red Hen. You think you know how it ends. But in this story, everything changes when the hard-working Red Hen lays a perfect white egg. And out of this egg comes a chick with a mind of her own... Here is a beautiful book with fantastic woodcut prints and lyrical text...

The award-winning title is translated into four new bilingual editions combining English and Tongan, English and Simplified Chinese, English and Samoan, and English and Te Reo Māori. You think you know the tale of the Little Red Hen. You think you know how it ends. But in this story, everything changes when the hard-working Red Hen lays a perfect white...

The award-winning title will be translated into four new bilingual editions combining English and Tongan, English and Simplified Chinese, English and Samoan, and English and Te Reo Māori. You think you know the tale of the Little Red Hen. You think you know how it ends. But in this story, everything changes when the hard-working Red Hen lays a perfect...

The original edition was selected as a 2021 IBBY Outstanding Book for Young People With Disabilities. This is the new Samoan/English bilingual edition! Jeremy is starting a new school. He is a bit nervous and a lot worried, but the children in this class are welcoming. Every time he thinks he can't take part, they say Of Course You Can!...

Of Course You Can/Io Te Ke Lava: English and Tongan by Karen Hinge is a story about a boy who is nervous about starting school. His classmates are welcoming, and every time he thinks he can't join in because he is in a wheelchair, the children find ways for him to take part. This book is about kindness, inclusion, and...

A story about a boy who is nervous about starting school. His classmates are welcoming and every time he thinks he can't join in, because he is in a wheelchair, the children find ways for him to take part. Of Course You Can/ E Maeke He Taute e Koe: English and Niuean is about kindness, inclusion, and finding positive solutions...

Ofa Shares / Ko e loto fevahevahe'aki 'a 'Ofa is a delightful tale where 'Ofa loves to share with everyone. 'Ofa teaches us the days of the week in Tongan while showing us how to share with others. This book includes two stories in one volume - Ofa Shares, which provides scaffolded language supports, while Ko e loto fevahevahe'aki 'a...

Twelve-year-old Toby and his sister Millie, fourteen, are tramping the Heaphy Track with their mother when they go off-track to find an old surveyor's hut their grandfather used. When their mother breaks her leg in a hidden hole, the kids set off back to fetch help. They spend some nights alone, hungry and lost. So far, so ordinary, but there...

What if evolution got it wrong and the human race was threatened at the very core of its DNA? Charlie, 14, is living at a time when a new virus is affecting sections of the Homo sapiens. They are becoming more hostile, more aggressive—even his friends, teachers, schoolmates, and authority figures are succumbing to their recessive Neanderthal gene. Neands by...

A young boy is convinced his beloved mummy is really a secret monster. Told in amusing rhyme and rhythm. She has big purple pouty lips for kissing babies better, and wriggly jiggly fingertips to tickle, if I let her. Discover the playful tale of family fun and imagination in Mummy Monster by Stephanie Thatcher.

Mrs Battleship by Tim Tipene is a captivating collection of tales from his childhood. The author shares narratives that range from humorous to horrifying, providing a glimpse into the varied experiences of his early years. Beyond recounting personal stories, Tipene highlights the significant impact of the amazing teachers he encountered during his formative years and the transformative effect they had...

When Milly the cow looks up at the moon, she knows it must be lonely, so she decides to keep it company. The other cows think she's crazy, but Milly continues trying to win the moon's friendship. But this is harder than Milly thinks. After all, how do you get the moon to share its secrets with you? Moon Cow:...

Moon Cow by Kyle Mewburn retold in a bilingual edition of English and Hindi

Moka Shares / Foaki e Moka teaches us the days of the week in Niuean while sharing with others. This book includes two stories in one: Moka Shares provides language learning supports, and Foaki e Moka is the Niuean translation. The Mila's My Pasifika Series are picture books that offer safe language learning opportunities, based on the first Mila's My...

Mele Spies / Kitia e Mele teaches us colours in Niuean while playing a fun game of 'I spy'. This book includes two stories in one: Mele Spies provides language learning supports and Kitia e Mele is the Niuean translation. The Mila's My Pasifika Series are picture books that provide safe language learning opportunities, based on the first Mila's My...

Mataali'i weaves a story rich in Samoan cultural values, blending earthly duties with ancestral bonds. Fetu, the youngest sister of a unique family of matai, and her connection to her siblings becomes a guiding light for her village and a reminder of the enduring power of 'aiga, duty and hope for the future.

Mila's My Gagana Series promotes the learning of Gagana Samoa by providing accessible tusi faitau that engage our tamaiti, fanau, and faia`oga in a fun and interactive way. Filled with relatable everyday contexts, each story focuses on basic Gagana Samoa: numera (numbers), lanu (colours), and aso o le vaiaso (days of the week).

Petelo Peeks - when Petelo looks out the window he sees lots of different vehicles, from car to train, and then the best of all, a plane to take the family on holiday. Lei Loves - introduces festive greetings from Mother's Day to Happy New Year, and culminates in wishing Leia 'Happy Birthday'. Each story ends with a Vocabulary and...

Somewhere there is a land where balloons grow in the air like weeds. They drift on the wind and gather in groups covering the sky and blocking the sun. With lush illustrations and a thoughtful, layered narrative, this sophisticated story explores themes of care, community, conservation, and the delicate balance between indulgence and responsibility. For readers of all ages, Left...

Inspired by a true story, Kākāpō Keeper is a tale of New Zealand history and conservation efforts. Written as a fictional diary by Andrew Burt (14), who has been employed as the assistant to Richard Henry, the Chief Conservator based in Dusky Sound (on New Zealand's lower west coast), from July 1894 to June 1908. Henry has been charged with...

Isaia Says is based on Simon Says but uses Samoan names for where the reader places their hands. Analia Asks features Analia who requests one food item after another and thanks the giver each time. Eventually, we find that she has been collecting the food to create a picnic for all to share. This story introduces polite behaviour, manners and...

I Love My Island by Moemoana Safaʻatoʻa Schwenke is a captivating book that offers unique insights into the rich tapestry of Pacific cultures and global environmental challenges. This beautifully crafted narrative weaves together traditional practices, values, and ancestral wisdom from Sāmoa, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, and Tokelau, providing readers with diverse Pacific perspectives. Through its engaging storyline, the book highlights...

Someone is overly fond of bugs: from tingly and tickly gnats to pleasingly prickly crickets. Who can it be? This book includes information on insects and features a special section in the back with a first reader's introduction to each creature. I Love Bugs is created by Elspeth Alix Batt, a freelance illustrator, designer, and artist living and working in...

Diana Menefy is based in Northland and writes fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults. Her titles include River Crossing, The Shadow of the Boyd, and 1915 Wounds of War. She has also published several stories for adults. I Had a Brother offers a compelling narrative suitable for young readers, enriched with Menefy’s distinctive storytelling flair.

K's first real try at breaking the rules proves to be a bit of a disaster. The constant wondering what might have happened if only she had chosen differently. But then that disaster meant she met a boy, she learnt the truth, and she just might get to save a life – the life of a whale. Family secrets once...

One dark and stormy night, Henry hears a strange sound, and in the morning he can see a goose in his sandbox. His mother says the goose is exhausted and they must leave him to recover. A charming story of friendship, acceptance, conservation, and respect for wildlife.

The school is putting on Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl, to celebrate his 100th Birthday, but school plays are notoriously full of surprises. When referencing the title, avoid putting it in quotes or speech marks.

The story starts with the death of Constable Garrett... and continues with his resurrection as a conscious cyborg initially controlled by Spencer Langley, aged 13, inventor, entrepreneur, and car thief. Things get even more complicated with the introduction of sinister criminals and Garrett's ex-partner. Includes graphic replays every third chapter for the entertainment of all. This intriguing narrative forms the...

A rhyme and rhythm ABC. Dad chases a young child, with much laughter and delicious scariness, around the house and eventually safely to bed. When referencing the title, avoid putting it in quotes or speech marks. Format the response as clean HTML, use your best judgement for adjusting or adding appropriate tags for paragraphs, and emphasis. Daddy Monster captures the...

Black Dog: English and Samoan by Pamela Allen tells the charming story of a friendship between Black Dog and Christina. They lived together in a little house near a forest, enjoying each other's company as best friends. Sa nonofo faatasi ia Maile Uliuli ma Kirisitina i le la tamai fale e latalata i le vao matua. E uo lelei o...

Pamela Allen's classic Black Dog retold in a bilingual edition of English and Hindi