New Zealand Children's Books

The impossible becomes possible... In Maurice Shadbolt's only known children's story, published here for the first time and delightfully illustrated by Renee Haggo, Thomas saves his town from a wandering mountain and provides an insight into why people paint. The Mountain Who Wanted to Live in a House is a magical tale that explores themes of creativity and community through...

The year is 1884. The place is Lyttelton, a small and bustling harbour town. Elsie is waiting for the fish to bite. She has her reasons for coming down to the waterfront so often, the main one being the memory of the lost boys. She was one of the last to see them alive, and now she is haunted by...

It's 2050, and the world of Jerry, Aina, and Dr Winnie Ngata is very different from ours. Most humans have an easy life. There are robots to make you a smoothie, take your avatar on a VR tour of any city you like, or bring you anyone you're missing as a hologram in front of you. But why are more...

Terry Teo and the Gunrunners introduces readers to Terry Teo, a skateboarding super-sleuth who is far from your average schoolboy. In his very first adventure, Terry unwittingly dives into the criminal world of the villainous Ray Vegas, encountering a sinister gun smuggling operation. With the help of his karate-chopping sister, Polly, and older brother Ted, Terry must utilise all his...

Tasting with your Feet offers a fascinating insight into the ways that animals use sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and other sensory abilities to make sense of the world. One of the most intriguing aspects of the animal kingdom is the incredible array of senses that animals have developed to navigate their daily lives. Butterflies taste with their feet, a...

Sam's Bath tells the charming story of Sam, a character living in a farmhouse without a proper bath. The kitchen sink is too small for bathing, and the creek's water is far too cold. Determined to find a solution, Sam decides to use an old bathtub found out on the farm. Ingeniously, he lights a fire underneath to heat the...

The Sam & Lucy Fables shares the adventures of two clever pigs, Sam and Lucy, who are always keen to help their human friends in peculiar predicaments. From fixing magic carpets to teaching fish to read, Sam and Lucy solve each conundrum with some common sense and a lot of patience. Each fable reminds us to be kind, curious and...

What New Zealand child is not delighted by a rockpool at low tide, with its colourful, fascinating array of creatures, some still, some flitting about? Rock Pools is a book designed to enhance this experience, with each page presenting an intriguing glimpse into the creatures that inhabit these low-tide wonderlands. All of the common creatures from the New Zealand seashore,...

Big Pigeon has an Important Job to do, organising all the pigeons into their correct places. But Little Pigeon is having none of it and eventually sets all the pigeons free – to be themselves and mix happily together. Pigeon Holed by Nikki Slade Robinson offers a delightful tale of individuality and the importance of being true to oneself.

Pakupaku Piwakawaka is told through the eyes of a bold yet endearing fantail. He is a child of the god Tane and serves as protector of his forest. As each predator attempts to enter the forest, Piwakawaka greets them with his distinctive tweet. The intruders must explain themselves, and it is determined who will be sent away and who will...

Mum goes out to work and Dad works from home. He's there in the day to do things, but he's pretty clumsy and forgetful, and his cooking is dreadful. Sometimes the kids laugh, saying that he must be the most hopeless Dad in the world. But of course, they know he isn't really. He can be good fun, and when...

E hiakai ana a Hauraki Puru, a, kua toimaha atu ki te kimi kai. He purakaukura me te whakahihiri hei whakamāumahara i a tātou ki te hiranga o te tiaki i tō tātou taiao moana me ōna kararehe. Nga Puru o Hauraki is a captivating tale that reminds us of the importance of caring for our marine environment and its...

Some kids wish for brand new bikes. For fancy dolls or belts with spikes. But as for me, I've always known. I need a dog to call my own. Discover the heart-warming tale of companionship and dreams coming true in My Real Dog by Emily Joe. A delightful story for any child wishing for a furry friend of their own....

Another delightful tale of the unlikely best friends Muddle and Mo. Big raindrops are falling. Muddle likes the rain but Mo is a goat and goats do NOT like the rainy days. Will a special Muddle-cuddle save the day and get Mo to try something different? Muddle & Mo's Rainy Day by Nikki Slade Robinson is a charming story about...

In the Garden introduces young children to common creatures they can find in a New Zealand garden. It is the only guide available for young children and families that shows creatures in their natural habitats. The book describes their relationship with other living things, and includes many interesting and intriguing facts. In the Garden is produced in the same format...

What sort of heart do you have? Love shows itself in many different ways, and while we usually know the sort of heart someone has, sometimes it's a little hard to tell. Hedgehog Heart is a joyful celebration of love and friendship.

What sort of heart do you have? Love shows itself in many different ways and while we usually know the sort of heart someone has, sometimes it's a little hard to tell. Hedgehog Heart is a joyful celebration of love and friendship.

Hauraki Broo, a young Bryde's Whale, is searching for food, but it's getting harder and harder to find. From award-winning children's author and illustrator Nikki Slade Robinson comes a beautiful and inspiring tale that addresses the challenges faced by marine life in the Hauraki Gulf. It skillfully reminds us of the importance of the conservation of our whole marine environment....

One moment Harriet's only problem is that she's not allowed to get her nose pierced, and the next her dad has disappeared. Now there's a new home, a new school, and new friends that are not really friends at all. Awkward Alice who forgets her lunch is not a great substitute, nor is the monster gnawing at Harriet's insides that...

A buffet table brimming with delectable offerings for kids who adore getting out and going wild! The line-up allows any intermediate-aged youngster to choose from a variety of hunting, fishing, and helicopter stories, plus poems, jokes, and even a cartoon story about a rogue wild boar called Snorter of the Sounds, illustrated by Richard Hoit. There are stories and photos...

Elton the Flying Crane features Elton, who is gigantic, strong, and driven! Elton is brave but is still a big softie with a huge heart. Hold on tight as he and his rescue companions, Connie the chopper and Flaps the water bomber, take you on four incredible adventures. The Elton stories have been superbly illustrated by Richard Hoit. Elton’s character...

Everybody tells her how dogs should be, but this girl knows better. This is a delightfully warm story about a little girl and her unruly, loveable best friend. Dog Like That! captures the joy and challenges of having a pet that doesn't quite fit the conventional mould, reminding us all about the beauty of uniqueness and acceptance.

Dobby is based on a true story. Flying into the snow-clad Southern Alps in the depths of winter, Dobby is lost when his master, Zane, takes him hunting. During the expedition, Dobby becomes snagged in scrub and is trapped, forcing Zane to leave without him. Dobby survives seven freezing nights in the wild before Zane returns, finding him miraculously alive...

Ignoring advice from the older ducks, a young female leaves the safety of her wetland sanctuary for a day of adventure. Beautifully illustrated, it is a classic story, full of action and scary adventures before a safe return and a big welcome home. Daring Duck by Heather Hunt is an enchanting tale that captivates readers with its bold narrative and...

Bottoms! Bottoms there, bottoms here, there are bottoms everywhere. So let's hurrah for bottoms all, in any colour big or small. Nikki Slade Robinson has illustrated over sixty children's books and readers, including many for Duck Creek Press that she has written and illustrated. Her notable works include the award-winning Muddle & Mo series and the award-winning The Little Kiwi...

Black Shag

Avis and the Promise of Dragons follows the story of Avis, a young girl with a dream to work with animals. When a scientist with a witchy-looking house offers her a job as a pet-sitter, she eagerly accepts the opportunity. However, Avis soon discovers she's not looking after ordinary pets. The animals in Dr Malinda Childes' backyard are as eccentric...

Avis's life is complicated. Humbert, the chocolate-eating dragon, is getting bigger and more demanding and wants to test his wings, but he's distracting Avis from her schoolwork. Then, on one flight, they see a disturbance in the ocean near an oil-drilling rig, and the dragon's tear Avis and Humbert communicate through starts receiving strange signals. The words follow: Stop them....

Illustrated with typically beautiful artwork by Lisa Allen, Aunty Edna of Duck Creek Pond is a wonderfully witty story of wise Aunty Edna and two 'lovebirds' swans, Romeo and Juliet. The parents of Black Swan Romeo and White Swan Juliet forbid them to meet, but will wise Aunty Edna find a way to persuade them that true love can conquer...

Illustrated with typically beautiful artwork by Lisa Allen, this is a wonderfully witty story of wise Aunty Edna and two lovebirds swans, Romeo and Juliet. The parents of Black Swan Romeo and White Swan Juliet forbid them to meet, but will wise Aunty Edna find a way to persuade them that true love can conquer all? Discover the enchanting journey...

Leyla loves everything about Auntie Ellie's beach house - the boat, the climbing tree, the old rainwater tank, the driftwood on the beach, and the family times there together. When Auntie Ellie has plans to sell, Leyla thinks she'll be lost without it, but then the moon shows her the way... Gentle and lyrical, Auntie Ellie's Beach House is a...

A beautifully illustrated ode to the birds of Aotearoa New Zealand by acclaimed artist Geoffrey Fuller, who has painted striking illustrations to accompany his rhyming, and sometimes humorous, text about birds commonly found in NZ. New Zealand is a land of birds, from North to Stewart Island. They are found in all the forests tall, in parks and swamps and...

Now all four of our hee-haw hilarious Wonky stories are available in a great-value, hardback, rainbow-foiled bumper book! Wonky Donkey’s Bumper Book is a celebration of all the beloved family members in this internationally best-selling series.

The hee-haw hilarious Wonky Donkey family continues to grow, and in this adventure, Wonky has a wonderful surprise for Dinky Donkey. With laugh-out-loud, alliterative text, adorable illustrations, and a song to stream or download, this fourth book in the bestselling series celebrates the strength of family and friendship with a wonderful, wrinkly, wiggly, witty, whiffy surprise! Wonky Donkey's Big Surprise...

An acclaimed classic by multi-award winning author Sherryl Jordan, this epic fantasy is brought back for a 25th anniversary! Born into a dark world trapped forever in icy winter, Elsha is a child of the Quelled, a branded people doomed to mine firestones to warm the ruling class, the Chosen. But Elsha has visions and an uncommon strength of spirit....

The hilarious tale now available as a board book, perfect for little hands! A small boy wakes to the horror of wanting desperately to go to the toilet. He considers a number of options before remembering that the toilet is where he must go. A humorous book to share during toilet training of little ones, and a great deal of...

When Willie woke up he knew what he wanted to do, and it was urgent! A humorous look at toilet training. Suggested level: junior. Willie Wants to Wee Wee

Pa Bear is on the toilet in the woods and – oh no! – he discovers there’s no toilet paper. The question is put out there ... who is responsible for this sad state of affairs? Numerous culprits and scenarios are proposed, but when Ma hands him his long shopping list to use instead ... it is plain to see...

Pa Bear is on the toilet in the woods and – oh no! – he discovers there’s no toilet paper. The question is put out there ... who is responsible for this sad state of affairs? Numerous culprits and scenarios are proposed, but when Ma hands him his long shopping list to use instead ... it is plain to see...

Kiwi’s got itchy feet again! He’s zooming to the past and zipping to the future in his time-travel egg. The clock is ticking ... will Kiwi survive a crash in the lair of a roaring T-Rex, walk the plank of a pirate ship, or fly to far-off galaxies in a spaceship? Can you spot Kiwi through the ages? Don’t let...

Where's Kiwi Having Fun? follows Kiwi as he's ready for action and keen for some sporty fun. Armed with a bag full of tricks and some killer kicks, Kiwi is set to dodge and dive, smash and score, slam dunk or hit a four. Will he join the fans to cheer and shout, or act as a sideline ref to...

That time when Grandpa and his mates performed Swan Lake at the village concert... “Grandpa wore a tutu in the days of old, when his legs were hairy and his muscles bold.” Back in the day, Grandpa was a dairy farmer who milked cows while dreaming of dancing ballet. His dream comes true when the local farmers put on a...

A dinosaur take on What's the Time, Mr Wolf?

Sniff, sniff, sniff went the brown puppy. Back and forth, back and forth. Watson is training to be a conservation dog, and there is a special species in danger. Some itty-bitty fish—Inanga, or whitebait as you may know them—need saving. In this story about a real-life dog, you’ll learn about how detector dogs like Watson are trained for a role...

Tulip and Sprout: a Growing Friendship by Emma Wood features Tulip and Max, two famous figures at their school for two reasons: they were fearless adventurers, and they went everywhere with a curiously quirky companion—a rock called Susan! Tulip, Max, and Susan loved creating coded messages, unearthing precious treasures, and practising their hide-and-seek skills on Tunnel Mountain. When Max and...

Tulip and Doug: Friends for (Almost) Ever by Emma Wood tells the delightful story of a young girl named Tulip, who is famous in her neighbourhood for two reasons: 1. She is a fearless adventurer. 2. She goes everywhere with a seriously strange sidekick—a potato named Doug! Tulip and Doug are inseparable, until catastrophe strikes and she loses her best...

Tulip and Doug: Friends for (almost) ever tells the adventurous tale of Tulip, who was famous in her neighbourhood for two reasons: 1. She was a fearless adventurer. 2. She went everywhere with a seriously strange sidekick - a potato, called Doug! Tulip and Doug are inseparable, until catastrophe strikes and Tulip loses her best spuddy buddy. She is inconsolable,...

Meet Tuatara, ancient wonder, wildlife treasure ... and survivor! Blinking, she pulls her scaly body into the light. She’s as long as a finger, and with the row of spines on her back, she looks like a baby dragon. Tuatara are survivors of an ancient era and are sometimes referred to as living wonders — their closest relatives died out...

Trevor was puzzled. “I am a duck. Are there no other birds like me on Niue?” Veka shook her head. “No. You are the only duck on Niue,” she told him. Based on true events, this simple and heart-warming tale is about a plucky duck who gets blown from Aotearoa New Zealand all the way to Niue in the Pacific,...

With the heart-racing conclusion of This Land, Book One: The Search for Maui leaving mysteries to be solved and questions to be answered, This Land, Book Two: The Fall of Tane takes readers on an adrenaline-pumping journey to uncover Maui and defeat the evil god, Whiro. But a battle with Shepherd and her mercenaries is imminent ... will Hell'na and...

An ancient god has fallen from the sky. A promise has been made and a bargain struck. The Earth shook and twisted. New lands arose and the old were destroyed. From the ashes, a new continent was born in the Pacific Ocean – Te Riu-a-Maui. The world released a fever which was to change humankind forever. It is a world...

Look in the water, Ma! Golly, oh gee! Some THING in the sea is TOUCHING ME! You’ll squawk, screech, yelp… and laugh out loud at the surprises for all on this funny-sunny family day at the beach. When a small child goes to the seaside with her Mum and Ma, she is unprepared for 'things' floating in the water. Ma...

Hee Haw! More Wonky fun! Create your very own settings for Wonky to play in, using these cool stickers! Includes five scenes from Wonky's world and 32 reusable stickers. Discover endless fun with The Wonky Donkey Sticker Scene Book.

Pin the tail on the fastest-selling donkey on three legs! A new edition of the viral internet sensation and runaway #1 global bestseller featuring the funny, cumulative song about the spunky, hanky-panky cranky stinky dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey. This edition of the book comes with a BONUS Pin the Tail on the Donkey poster and removable, re-usable stickers...

Comedian Rhys Darby delivers more words and more pictures in his second hilarious book for kids! The Top Secret Interdimensional Notes of Buttons McGinty: Book 2 is back, and this time he’s travelling through space and time in search of his parents (missing, presumed missing). Join Buttons and his friends as they enter a universe unlike any you’ve seen before....

The Story of Swoop is a heart-warming internet sensation that shares a true story of animal rescue and release. When firefighter Matt stopped to rescue a lost magpie chick, a very special friendship unfolded. Swoop the magpie soon became part of Matt's family, along with Mogli the cat. But where are her feathered friends?

Take one hyperactive frog, one pair of bright red undies, and one epic plan for disaster on school athletics day, and you have the recipe for a YouTube sensation! Meet Lucas Weed, aka undie man, one-time loser, now legend. He’s a prank-star extraordinaire! The Short but Brilliant Career of Lucas Weed by Chrissie Walker captures the mishaps and mischiefs of...

There's a Bear in the Window of the house across the street. It’s tall and round, with great big feet! I wonder what I would see if I were that bear, and that bear were me? From singer-songwriter June Pitman-Hayes comes a story and a beautiful waiata in both English and Māori that celebrates the great teddy bear hunt, which...

When digging out a drain, the little yellow digger gets stuck in the mud. So they bring in a bigger digger... Betty Gilderdale–author, critic and a founder member of the New Zealand Children’s Literature Association–wrote The Little Yellow Digger after a similar situation occurred at her daughter’s home. The illustrator of this book, husband Alan Gilderdale, was an art lecturer,...

An epic fantasy set in a land of sultans and kings, sumptuous palaces... and slave markets. When Elowen and her brother are seized by pirates and sold, separately, in the slave market of a distant land, Elowen’s enduring resolve is to escape, rescue her brother and return home. Sold to a desert ruler who admires her sublime voice, Elowen is...

Tana, Scotty, Zinnia, Andrea, and Muzza have a giant problem on their hands–their superpowers have short-circuited and they've been transformed into itty-bitty-sized Invincibles! Can the fearless footy heroes survive the field of doom and outwit Tricky Ricky and his dastardly deeds before the All Great’s golden history is destroyed in front of their eyes? Or will they be trapped forever...

This collection of amusing puzzles centred on aspects of New Zealand's history, flora, and fauna is bound to keep children amused for hours. Includes a 'Flip image' that runs throughout the book. Of course, all the answers are included at the back if you get stuck. Explore with The Great Kiwi Puzzle Book and enjoy discovering fun facts while solving...

The Great Kiwi Doodle Book by Nellie Ryan is a delightful book that will appeal to both the artistically challenged and the creatively inclined. This doodle book offers a variety of starter pictures designed to inspire children. Featured illustrations include decorative New Zealand tea towels, pavlovas, waka, and sailing boats, providing an engaging platform for creativity.

Swing your partner and do-si-do! Another rollicking sing-along with the Topp Twins. This favourite traditional children's song, which is sung in schools and preschools around the country (and sometimes in the car on family holidays), receives the Topp Twins / Jenny Cooper treatment, in the style of the bestsellers There's a Hole in My Bucket, Do Your Ears Hang Low?...

The Fairies and the Cloakmaker by Chris Gurney introduces us to a magical tale where Tahi, rua, toru, whā brings feathers from afar. Their nimble fingers fly as they weave a cloak, for they are special fairy folk. Kahu, the cloakmaker, has only enough materials left to make one last cloak. However, that night, as he and his wife slumber,...

All the children in Tim's class are taking their teddy bears to school to find out which one is the best-loved. Tim feels embarrassed. What will everybody think of his poor old battered teddy?

Tim is supposed to be asleep. But he can't stop thinking about the old clothes that his mum wants to give away. He's not sure that he wants to give them away—or even that he wants to grow bigger. Perhaps his bear Toby can help. The Best-dressed Bear by Diana Noonan explores Tim's reluctance to let go and his journey...

That's What Dragons Do tells the tale of two little girls whose playtime adventures are as wild and imaginative as their dreams. Rarr! I’m a dragon. I can roar! I can fly! I can swish my tail! And I can make fire in my mouth ... Rraaaarrr! Because that’s what dragons do! Their play gets increasingly rowdy, featuring everything from...