New Zealand Children's Books

Kuwi & Friends Maori Picture Dictionary is a fun, easy-to-use resource for anyone wanting to discover, learn, and use everyday words in te reo Māori. The illustrations aid comprehension, particularly for younger learners, by providing visual cues that assist with language retention and recalling spoken and written words. This book features 68 fully illustrated pages in a large format (265...

The Dragon Defenders - Book Five: The Grand Opening is the fifth and final book in the best-selling Dragon Defenders series. It's all over - The Pitbull has won! He's captured every last dragon from The Island and brought them to the mainland. The stage is now set for the grand opening of Dragon World. Meanwhile, Flynn, Paddy, and Briar...

The beloved Te-Ika-a-Maui/The Fish of Maui by Peter Gossage brings the iconic Maori myth to life in a beautiful bilingual Maori-English edition, enriched by Merimeri Penfold's poetic translation. This captivating tale recounts the adventurous exploits of the demigod Maui and his remarkable feat in discovering the North Island of New Zealand, also known as Aotearoa. Denied the chance to join...

Tawhirimatea, blow winds blow, Ra, warm us up with your sunshine glow. Papatuanuku, we plant seeds in you. Ua, rain, helps new life come through... Read and sing along to this catchy Matariki song celebrating Earth, sky, seasons and whanau. Singer/songwriter June Pitman-Hayes wrote this waiata for the children at the Montessori School where she was teaching music. With its...

• Celebrates New Zealand’s bilingual heritage with puzzles incorporating both languages.• Crammed full of great activities to keep children challenged.• Learn about such things as New Zealand inventors, places and traditional Māori culture.• Expands vocabulary and knowledge of te reo.• Hours of fun and incidental learning!  

Join the mischievous and lovable dog, Hairy Maclary, in another delightful adventure in Hairy Maclary's Rumpus At The Vet by Lynley Dodd. This time, Hairy Maclary finds himself at the vet's clinic where chaos quickly ensues. What begins as a routine visit turns into a whirlwind of excitement when a grumpy parrot decides to take a nip at Hairy's tail....

Scarface Claw, Hold Tight by Lynley Dodd takes readers on an exhilarating and humorous high-speed adventure starring the cantankerous yet loveable cat, Scarface Claw. In this beautifully illustrated board book edition, we are drawn into Scarface's whiskers-bristling escapade, perfect for the youngest fans of the Hairy Maclary and Friends series. It is a peaceful morning, and Scarface Claw is enjoying...

Kia ora: You can be a Kiwi too - A celebration of all things Kiwi, as tamariki holiday at the beach, splash in water fountains, climb trees and toast marshmallows around a campfire – things Kiwi kids love to do, and share with newcomers ... because you can be a Kiwi too! A wide-open welcome to Aotearoa, with a catchy...

For generations, Lynley Dodd's Hairy Maclary stories have introduced young children to the joy of reading. With this Little Learning Library, the mischievous dog and his friends instigate a lifetime love of learning with the ABC, 123, Colours and Opposites! Little ones love to learn with rascally Hairy Maclary and his rollicking gang! Introducing important first concepts, including the alphabet,...

From the creators of the hilarious Nee Naw and Stink-o-saurus books, comes a new spin-off character kids will love! Singer-songwriter Dean O’Brien has produced yet another toe-tapping, sing-along song (to download or stream), this time about Nee Naw’s good friend, Ellie Copter. There’s a fire in a field where two goats, Plinky and Plonky, are trapped. Nee Naw is on...

Five funny stories about New Zealand’s favourite Grandpa, now available in a keepsake bind-up edition. Scholastic NZ’s Grandpa series has been in Kiwi family homes for over 33 years. These beloved, funny, and relatable tales are told in simple language with a repetitive refrain, making them perfect for young readers. This collection is published in memory of much-loved author Joy...

Behind dusty orange hills, where the sky stretches down to the sea, there’s a magical, wild, windy place called Te Mata Hapuku. Sam and Te Rerehua love to visit their Grandma and Poua at Te Mata Hapuku (also known as Birdlings Flat). They enjoy listening to the stories, accompanied by the backdrop of whipping wind, flashing torchlight, and the splash...

A must-have collection of three best-selling and favourite New Zealand wildlife and habitat stories, from deep in the day and nighttime forests of Aotearoa to out in the wild, blue moana. With a broad range of native creatures to encounter, these playful, rhyming and beautifully illustrated stories are told in both English and te reo Maori. The six books are...

The House That Jack Built is a book with two strands. The main rhythmic text, based on the well-known rhyme, tells the story of Jack Bull, who travels to New Zealand from London as a new settler in 1798. The illustrations tell the story from a Māori perspective—beginning with the creation story of Papatūānuku and Ranginui and showing the changing...

I te ahua o ngā pikitia, me te takoto o te hātepe tohutohu, ka māmā noa tō ako ki te tunu i ēnei kai e hāngai pū ana ki Aotearoa. Kia tū koe hei toa ki te tao pānikeke, hei toki ki te tunu pōtaka tiakarete, hei rehe rānei ki te mahi pihapiha. Mai i te kai ata, ki te...

Immerse your little ones in the vibrant underwater world of Aotearoa with Ocean for Kiwi Babies by Matthew Williamson and Fraser Williamson. This captivating board book serves as an enchanting introduction to the ocean's wonders, both in English and Maori. Tailored specifically for New Zealand babies, it offers an engaging exploration of diverse sea creatures that inhabit the coastal waters...

The second in the Dragon Brothers Trilogy of children's books, the story follows brothers Flynn and Paddy as they inadvertently end up with a pet dragon.

Find Me a Tiger by Lynley Dodd is a delightful look-and-find story that invites children into a whimsical journey through various natural habitats. In this engaging rhyming tale, young readers will explore lush jungles, arid deserts, and winding rivers, all while searching for expertly camouflaged creatures. Deep within the cool and verdant jungle, a hidden tiger waits. Children are encouraged...

This is a heartfelt tale of love, perseverance, resilience and the unbreakable bond that holds families together, even against the turbulent backdrop of the awe-inspiring and unpredictable Southern Ocean. Walter and Wilma the Wandering Albatrosses by Emma Heppell captures the essence of nature and the strength of familial connections. Through the eyes of Walter and Wilma, readers embark on a...

Animals for Kiwi Babies by Matthew Williamson and Fraser Williamson is a charming and educational board book designed for the youngest of readers. It takes babies and toddlers on a vibrant journey through Aotearoa, introducing them to a wide variety of animals found in back yards, farms, and forests. This beautifully illustrated book not only captivates with its bright and...

Celebrating 40 years of Greedy Cat, we are proud to re-release this NZ classic picture book. The very first Greedy Cat adventure! Mum went shopping to buy some food. Along came Greedy Cat, in a hungry mood...

The first in a terrible, terrific, funny and heartwarming new series by award-winning children’s author, Swapna Haddow, hilariously illustrated by Minky Stapleton. In a world where all animals have superpowers, café workers Zeb the zebra, Margarine the penguin and Barry the lemur have been given the worst powers of all. Watching all the other superheroes save the world, day in...

Many of New Zealand's animals make incredible journeys as part of their everyday lives. In this new book from leading author and illustrator Ned Barraud, he uncovers the mystery behind where many of our animals go. Toroa/albatross can spend years at sea roaming the windswept Southern Ocean, only coming ashore to breed. Koura/crayfish often undertake long walks along the seabed...

Lift the flaps with Hairy Maclary and the gang to discover all the noises animals make, and find out WHO is making the most noise of all! Join Hairy Maclary and the gang on a lift-the-flap adventure to find out who is making a terrible hullabaloo! And can you name the sound each different animal makes? WROWWW-W-W-W-W-W-W! Whoever is making...

What adult does not delight in engaging with a child when reading a look and find book? Where is it? is an original take on this concept, a New Zealand wildlife hunt for kiwi kids. Every double-page spread illustrates a different habitat, including the forest, the mountains, the beach, the ocean, estuaries, and wildlife sanctuaries. In each of these habitats,...

Here's a fantastic tale for kids about the classic Kiwi holiday that includes a caravan, a beach and the sometimes-smelly toilet shed out the back of the holiday section – the longdrop. The kids need to go, and the public loo is sooo far away from their caravan. So, Dad builds a longdrop! When the paper builds to capacity, Dad...

Te Rerehua and Sam know that nothing in nature is identical; not the eels, not the stones on the beach ... not even the twin stars of Matariki, Waitī and Waitā: one looks after fresh water and lakes, the other saltwater – the ocean. When they notice Waitī is looking dim one night, Grandma and Poua enlist the children's help...

How can we celebrate Matariki? Let's look to the stars! Maumaharatia: Remembering our past Tiakina te taiao: Caring for our environment Te whakawhanaungatanga: Connecting with our people Me pēhea tātou e whakanui i a Matariki? Tirohia ngā whetū! Maumaharatia te onamata Tiakina te taiao Te whakawhanaungatanga ki ō tātou iwi Explore the nine stars of Matariki in rich, detailed imagery...

Navigate body safety conversations with ease! Rāwiri and Ruby are learning about privacy and instincts, how to spot unsafe behaviour and how to get help should they ever need to. Using child-friendly language and the STOP WALK TALK strategy, these two young friends educate and empower tamariki with the important life skill of body safety.

Celebrating over 40 years of Greedy Cat, we are proud to re-release this NZ classic picture book. There are delicious smells wafting over the fence from the barbecue next door. Will Greedy Cat be able to resist?

Celebrating over 40 years of Greedy Cat, we are proud to re-release this NZ classic picture book. Poppy the dog is staying with Katie's family while Nan is away. Mum and Katie decide to take Poppy for a walk to the market, leaving Greedy Cat at home - or so they think!

Barry finds a lost cape that gives him the power to fly and secretly enjoys a day as a flying lemur. He becomes hooked on being a hero, saving lives and basking in the fame of being a mysterious masked crusader. When the cape’s emu owner and a reward-hungry Zeb close in, a struggle over the cape causes it to...

Having a new baby in the family is a big adjustment for not only the parents, but existing siblings as well. Kia Ora Baby by Donovan Bixley captures this transition beautifully. The book illustrates a family expecting a new baby, then the arrival and changes at home, with the older sibling managing the shifts in attention level and expectations. This...

Learning animal names in English and te reo Māori is fun and interactive with this vibrant board book from award-winning illustrator Donovan Bixley. What can you see on a day at the zoo? A lion (raiona), an elephant (arawhana), or a panda (pana pea)? A Day at the Zoo is a fun and engaging collection of all your favourite animals...

Over rivers and along the bay, the little lambs are on their way to find the owners of the gifts that fell from Santa's sleigh. Five little lambs are on a rescue mission. They need to deliver missing Christmas gifts to their friends Albatross, Turtle, Dolphin, and Crayfish before they can share their delicious Christmas feast.

Vex is used to people being afraid of her special power, the ability to persuade others to do what she wants. But when she arrives at a new school, Tiebold Academy, it is packed with people who have the same special power as her, and who might even like her. There is her roommate Ronnie, a coolheaded high achiever, and...

Elvie the sheep lived at the back of the Pollock’s home in Kilbirnie, in Wellington, New Zealand.She really did go for walks to the local park with Mrs Pollock and she really did hang out with the hens in the backyard.This story is about her first adventure.

Long ago, Ataraxia was a magical, united nation where dragons lived in harmony. Now, the three dragon tribes—Cliffs, Fireflys, and Ferns—are divided and live in fear, hiding from monsters like the ferocious Blade Wolf. King Cliff rules the Cliff dragons with an iron fist and will stop at nothing to keep his tribe the strongest. Firefly sister dragons Dessa and...

Donovan Bixley's Kiwi classic The Wheels on the Bus has been turned into a fabulous colouring-in book. The Wheels on the Bus goes round and round, round and round... Join our Kiwi bus driver as he travels across Aotearoa New Zealand collecting friends along the way. Packed with brilliant Kiwiana and 12 beautiful New Zealand illustrations to colour in, this...

Furry Tales: A Treasury of Cat Mischief by Lynley Dodd is a charming anthology that captures the delightful antics and playful adventures of some of literature's most beloved feline characters. Perfect for cat lovers of all ages and fans of the Hairy Maclary and Friends series, this collection brings together Dodd's best-loved cat stories in a single, exquisite hardback edition....

From award-winning artist, Lily Emo, comes a beautiful celebration of birds. Paired with a fun rhyming story, gorgeous illustrations, and fold-out pages, this book is set to be a favourite for everyone and the perfect gift. Make your way through the alphabet with this stunning book featuring a cast of familiar birds. From albatross to fantails, gannets to quail, and...

Meet 38 extraordinary children: an electric child, a flying child, elastic, invisible, miniature, a child made of cake. The Remarkables is a big book of fantasy and humour that entertains and provides a way to talk about emotions and identity. Through Perrin's unique imagination, this inclusive encyclopaedia celebrates individuality, strengths, and differences, allowing every reader to explore what miraculous superpower...

Join the playful and adventurous Hairy Maclary, a small and scruffy dog from Donaldson's Dairy, as he embarks on a series of fun-filled escapades. In this delightful story by Lynley Dodd, Hairy Maclary roams around his neighbourhood and encounters various canine friends, each with their own unique personality and charm, creating a wonderfully engaging and rhythmic tale that has captivated...

A heartwarming story about aroha, whānau, passing down traditional knowledge, and welcoming in the new year - an English translation of the original Nga Kupenga a Nanny Rina. Nanny Rina's Amazing Nets introduces Nanny Rina, an amazing weaver who can make all kinds of nets! When Haeata te Kapua asks what special creation Nanny will weave to welcome in the...

A new play on the fable of the tortoise and the hare in te reo Māori, Mā Wai e Hautū is a joyful interactive book for drivers of all ages. Who’s driving the fire engine? Elephant! He is driving to the fire station. Toot toot, toot toot! Who’s driving the racing car? Hare! He’s driving to the racing track. Vroo-oom!...

Celebrating 40 years of Greedy Cat, we are proud to re-release this NZ classic picture book. In this story, Greedy Cat's Door, Greedy Cat gets into strife when he finds that he has grown too large to fit through the cat door! How will he get out of this situation?

The beloved character Hairy Maclary is back in another delightful adventure in Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness by Lynley Dodd. This time, the mischievous terrier finds himself amidst the excitement and pandemonium of a local cat show. Determined to be a part of the action, Hairy Maclary bounces and pounces his way through the event, causing a series of amusing disruptions. As...

Wonky Donkey's famous daughter, the lovable Dinky Donkey, is back—this time she's playing hide-and-seek with Mummy Donkey! Join her in this playful adventure as she searches for her mother. Lift the colourful felt flaps to help Dinky discover Mummy's hiding place and lead her to Mummy ... and a big happy hug. Hee Haw!

Koro is a warm and universal board book in te reo Māori about a day with grandad. The bond between grandfather and child is shown through big, beautiful images and simple Māori text. The child and their koro explore the day—they go for a walk, collect food from the garden, eat, tell stories, and snuggle up for a rest to...

For too long, cats have been maligned as lazy so-and-sos who think they're better than us... but it turns out the stereotype is wildly unfair. From Invercargill to Kaitaia, there are cats on the tools in every corner of the country. Starting in the deep south and scooting all the way up— a bit like a cat scaling a Christmas...

A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree is a delightful adaptation of the classic "Twelve Days of Christmas" song, but with a uniquely Kiwi twist. In this cherished tale, a young couple celebrates the festive season by sharing a series of quintessentially New Zealand gifts, beginning with a pukeko in a ponga (tree fern) tree. As the days of Christmas unfold,...

It was deep mid-winter and all through the village, preparations were being made to farewell the old year and greet the new. For the first time ever, the seventh little sister, Ururangi, was big enough to make her own celebration kite. But when the seven sisters take the finished kites to fly them, the east wind whips them all away...

Immerse your little ones in a heart-warming counting adventure with Hedgehog Howdedo by Lynley Dodd. This charming story introduces children to the delightful world of hibernating hedgehogs nestled snugly in a peaceful garden. As winter blankets the earth, the sleepy hedgehogs find a cosy haven to rest, making the cold season a time of serene slumber. However, the tranquillity is...

When her grandfather Rex is hospitalised, 11-year-old Ruby retreats to the forest with her trusty dog sidekick and a weird old doll she wants to get rid of. Near the treehouse built by Rex, she discovers a kiwi burrow. And is that a white kiwi chick she sees? Ruby and her friend Spider uncover a plot by the local vet...

Teaching children mindfulness through the senses at a young age can help them build confidence, learn to cope with stress, and realise they can overcome challenging moments in their life. Using the fun 'Five, Four, Three, Two, One' rhyme is an easy way for children to remember to use their senses to find their way back to calm. From the...

There is a bright new star in the winter sky—Puanga, cousin to the Matariki sisters. Each year, she appears to the people of Aotearoa, a special sign for those unable to see Matariki, that winter and the Māori New Year are coming. A new addition to Scholastic's popular Matariki range, this time introducing readers to the Puanga star, which is...

The cow says ‘moo’, the chicken says ‘cluck’, and the pig says … Dazzlehands! As hard as the farmer tries, pig won’t go ‘oink’. Instead, pig gets all the animals moving to: ‘Train hands, rain hands, fly-it-like-a-plane hands. Bursting with the razzle, gotta liberate these DAZZLEHANDS!’

A beautiful and award-winning bilingual English and Māori story about a young girl and the little black cat that keeps her company as her mother tries to find them all a home. A new bilingual English and Māori edition of the classic and award-winning story about Annie and her black cat Moon and their long search for home, for 3...

The Wild and Windy Stars of Matariki by Miriama Kamo is a captivating tale about the adventures of Te Rerehua and Sam at Te Mata Hapuku, a wild and windswept place where the stones tell stories and the stars shine bright. One night, they spot mysterious fires on the beach and quickly become entangled in a trick played by the...

Three friends and a one-eyed raven find themselves up against the rulers who restrict the gifts of writing and reading to an elite few. They must go on a wild and unpredictable rescue mission. Who and what will they meet along their way? And what is the terrible truth behind everything they think they know about their world? 'You will...

The Tiny House Mouse by Debbie Ridgway tells the tale of Miss Mouse, who longs for a place to call home. Although this sounds simple, she must embark on a true adventure before she can settle down. Join Miss Mouse as she navigates not one, not two, but many different ways to live before she finds her favourite. Truly, home...

Join Pee Wee the Kiwi and his friends on a fun sticker adventure. This book includes over 200 stickers and 24 pages filled with New Zealand scenes, allowing you to create exciting adventures for Pee Wee and his friends. Stickers feature New Zealand native birds and farm animals, plus much more! From the #1 Best Selling New Zealand Children’s Book...

Nee Naw the Little Fire Engine by Deano Yipadee is a delightful tale that brings the excitement of a fire engine's world to young readers. "Nee Naw! Nee Naw! I'm a little fire engine. Nee Naw! Nee Naw! I'm happy I'm me." Get your siren going and sing along with a "fffttt plop bang" as Nee Naw, the little fire engine,...

Join the delightful world of Spot with Kei Hea a Spot?, the te reo Māori edition of Eric Hill's beloved lift-the-flap book, Where's Spot?. This timeless classic introduces Spot, an innocent and playful puppy, whose adventures have captivated young readers for decades. In Spot's first adventure, it's time for dinner, but Spot is nowhere to be found. Readers are invited...

The monkeys escaped, and the driver felt glum, until Nee Naw arrived with a bandage for his bum. Nee Naw! Nee Naw! I’m a little fire engine. Nee Naw! Nee Naw! I’m happy I’m me. Another totally appealing, side-splitting rescue from the creators of Nee Naw and Stink-o-Saurus!

The Smallest Turtle by Lynley Dodd is a captivating tale that follows the perilous journey of a diminutive yet determined turtle as he makes his way from his sandy nest to the vast expanse of the ocean. This enchanting narrative, created by the renowned author of the Hairy Maclary and Friends series, is now available as a sturdy board book,...

It’s 1861, and gold fever is sweeping the world. Otherwise sensible adults have gone mad and will do anything to get their hands on the precious metal. But two children have been caught up in the rush. Michael and Atarangi couldn’t be more different, but they share one thing: each has a remarkable and magical talent. Circumstances conspire to bring...

Aotearoa, by Gavin Bishop, is a masterfully crafted visual history that invites readers to dive into the rich and dynamic narrative of New Zealand. This extraordinary book spans from the inception of our planet with the Big Bang, through to the possible futures of Aotearoa, engaging readers with its beautifully detailed and lush illustrations. Bishop's storytelling prowess shines as he...

With the same lively, creative illustrations as the original book, the te reo Maori version retains the simplicity and imagination of Maurice Sendak's story, capturing Max's feisty character, the magic of the adventure and 'wild rumpus', and the pleasure of things returning to normal.

I was walking down the road, and I saw a donkey ... hee-haw! And he only had three legs. He was a wonky donkey ... New hardback edition of the #1 bestselling book that took the world by storm!

Identifying New Zealand's insects, spiders and other land invertebrates is made simple with this new guide by best-selling author Andrew Crowe. Explore over 300 life-size photographs, learn about the life-cycle of different insects, and use the handy colour-coded chart for fast, accurate identification. Written by one of New Zealand's most popular nature writers, The Life-Size Guide to Insects makes it...

Oh no! How can that be? Granny’s cow Ploppy is stuck up a tree. With a loud toot-toot and a hip-hooray, look who’s coming to save the day… Nee Naw! Nee Naw! I’m a little fire engine. Nee Naw! Nee Naw! I’m happy I’m me. Another hilarious, trouser-ripping rescue from the creators of Nee Naw the Little Fire Engine, Jingle...

I was walking down the road, and I saw a donkey ... hee-haw! And he only had three legs. He was a wonky donkey ... In this very funny, cumulative song, each page tells us something new about the donkey until we end up with a spunky, hanky-panky cranky stinky dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey, which will have children...

Children of the Rush - Book 3 is the third and final book in the Children of the Rush middle grade novel trilogy. It is historical fiction, set in Otago and Hokitika, New Zealand during the gold rushes of the 1860s. Atarangi, Michael, and Siu have crossed the Southern Alps and settled in Hokitika just as a new gold rush...