New Zealand Children's Books

What can you see Under the Sea? A ginormous whale (tohora) or a tiny scallop (tipa)? Under the Sea is a fun and engaging adventure that is perfect for Kiwi kids! "Early concept boardbooks and picture books are essential as a way to both teach children language and begin their lifelong love of books." - The Sapling Love this book?...

When a passing dragon decides to swipe their dog Coco, brothers Flynn and Paddy decide they should do something about it. In the dead of night, they pack their bags, make some terrible sandwiches, and, setting off before dawn, embark on a rescue mission. Finding the dog and its captor turned out to be easy; it was rescuing Coco that...

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...

A sequel to Taming the Sun and Riding the Waves, Gavin Bishop's latest stunning book contains four more Māori myths, including two well-known legends (Ranginui and Papatuanuku and Hinemoa and Tutanekai) and two less well-known legends (The battle of the birds and Kae and the whale). Aimed at children 3-10 years, these myths are simply written and yet powerful. They're...

Te Hopu a Maui i a te Ra/How Maui Slowed the Sun by Peter Gossage is a captivating retelling of an iconic Maori myth that has enchanted readers for generations. In this beautifully illustrated book, readers will follow the legendary Maui as he devises a clever plan to slow the Sun's journey across the sky, struggling with the challenge of...

Old MacDonald's Farm: NZ Edition brings a delightful twist to the beloved classic song with a unique New Zealand flavour. Everyone knows the song, "Old MacDonald had a farm, e-i-e-i-o." Now, imagine that farm in New Zealand, with Old MacDonald sporting a Swanndri and gumboots. Donovan Bixley's illustrations beautifully capture the picturesque New Zealand landscape filled with familiar farm animals....

In TE RATAKA a Tama Hungoingoi, Jeff Kinney's beloved series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, undergoes a brilliant transformation through the te reo Māori language. This delightful translation, by Heni Jacob, offers readers a chance to experience the humorous and relatable journey of Greg Heffley in the vibrant and expressive language of Aotearoa New Zealand. The story follows twelve-year-old Greg...

Welcome to the book designed to make boredom fun.The Boring Drawing Book is not as boring as the title suggests. This boredom-busting book is a unique drawing, doodling and colouring book, filled with exciting activities to keep even the most fidgety minds focused and crayons busy. Each page tackles boredom head on with simple, humorously mundane tasks - like adding...

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,...

This bilingual board book for young children shares the meaning behind each star in the Matariki cluster, created by award-winning author Gavin Bishop. An essential bilingual board book explaining the meaning of each Matariki star, with beautiful artwork by award-winning author Gavin Bishop. When the Matariki cluster rises, each of the nine stars represents the promise of the year ahead....

Full of fun and charm, this activity book will keep kids amused for hours with puzzles, things to make, and colouring pages. Includes: Spot the difference Join the dots Make your own diggers' chains Colouring in Mud pie cookies recipe And more! Little Yellow Digger Activity Book by Betty Gilderdale is perfect for keeping young ones entertained and engaged.

The Dragon Riders is the third and final book in the Dragon Brothers Trilogy of children's books. The story follows brothers Flynn and Paddy as their pet dragon follows his innate need to migrate—taking them with him.

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...

Ko Ngā Whetū Hauhau, Ko Ngā Whetū Tarakaka o Matariki (The Wild and Windy Stars of Matariki – Māori Edition) by Miriama Kamo tells the enchanting tale of Te Rerehua and Sam, who adore the wild and windswept land of Te Mata Hapuku, a place where stones whisper stories and stars shine brightly. One mysterious night, they discover strange fires...

A beautifully illustrated bilingual picture book of phrases to help children say how they feel in Māori and English! A gorgeously illustrated book to help readers describe how they feel in Māori and English. A delightful, easy introduction to saying how you feel using te reo. Young and old alike will be able to describe whether they are feeling hōhā...

Hairy Maclary and Friends How Do I Feel? by Lynley Dodd is a charming and engaging board book that invites young readers into the world of Hairy Maclary and his delightful group of friends. As they turn each page, children will discover how Hairy Maclary, Scarface Claw, Zachary Quack, and many other merry characters are feeling. Thoughtfully designed for babies...

Grumble's Bridge by Greg MacLeod tells the tale of Grumble the troll, who desires only one thing: sleep. Long, peaceful, uninterrupted sleep. However, residing under a bridge means there is always someone clip-clopping, quack-quacking or squelch-squelching over his head. One by one, Grumble bans every noisy creature he encounters and decides to journey elsewhere in search of tranquility. Ah, a...

The New Zealand Wars are a part of New Zealand's history that many people wish they knew more about. This book describes how the wars came about, where and when they were fought, and who was involved. It looks at how they are being remembered today, including new ways of working towards understanding and reconciliation, and the Rā Maumahara National...

When Zeb uses his superpower to blend in with a zebra crossing to play tricks on unsuspecting pedestrians, he finds himself in hot water with a very angry lion who threatens to eat him! In an effort to extricate himself from the cooking pot, he promises Marge will make endless mac’n’cheese to feed Lion’s whole pride. Not a great time...

Name all the things you can see down by the sea in English and te reo Maori with this vibrant board book from award-winning illustrator Donovan Bixley. What can you see on a day at the beach? A sandcastle (pa kirikiri), some waves (ngaru), or a lifeguard (kaikauhauora)? A Day at the Beach is a fun and engaging seaside excursion...

Five little kea exploring in the shed, one fell over and bumped their head. The cheekiest birds in the world are getting up to mischief in Ranger Tui's shed. But what are they planning? Based on the nursery rhyme Five Little Monkeys, Five Little Kea is a fun counting book that showcases the beauty of New Zealand's flora and fauna....

In the middle of the night, in the middle of the winter, in the middle of a war, a puppy was born. This fictional story was inspired by the story of Freda, a Harlequin Great Dane and mascot of the NZ Rifle Brigade during World War 1. The ANZAC Puppy is a simple story about the reality of war, hardship,...

When Little Kiwi discovers a disconsolate Santa stranded on a hillside with not a reindeer in sight, she rounds up all her bird friends to help. And in so doing, Little Kiwi gets to realise her own dream–to fly! Another great Kiwi Christmas sing-along from Scholastic NZ, sung by popular entertainer, Pio Terei, in both English and Maori–and everyone knows...

From the #1 Bestselling Author and Illustrator of the Kuwi the Kiwi™ series, Kat Merewether. Following on from the hugely popular Kuwi's First Egg and Kuwi's Huhu Hunt books. With the soft jingle of bells, a mysterious gift falls from the sky. It is a shimmering red ball. Kuwi knows exactly what it is. A very shiny bum. She decides...

Roly, the Anzac Donkey by Glyn Harper follows Richard Henderson and his donkey Roly, who together saved many WW1 soldiers. Illustrated by Jenny Cooper, it marks the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli. Hello. My name is Roly. I'm a donkey. Let me tell you about the time during the First World War when I worked at a place called Gallipoli. I...

From the author of the worldwide bestseller Tickle My Ears, comes an interactive board book that will have toddlers, adults and rabbits all playing together. Join Little Rabbit, playing all the games toddlers love in this new fun and surprising board book in the internationally bestselling Tickle My Ears interactive series. Little Rabbit wants to play. He hides behind a...

Created by well-known children's writer and illustrator Gavin Bishop, this is the story of a little white kiwi. When he is born, his mother doesn't recognise him because he's not brown. Little Kiwi looks to the moon as his mother instead because it is white and bright and round. In the background of this story, we see the changing times...

Weaving a beautiful narrative of heritage, culture and the enduring strength of family bonds, The Lost Words is a daughter's account of her mother's journey through the rich tapestry of te reo Māori. My Mum is collecting words. You see, a long time ago, lots of the words were left out or replaced. Slowly they were forgotten. A powerful and...

The Lighthouse Princess, the 2021 Storylines Gavin Bishop Award-winning picture book, is a delightful contemporary fairytale about an independent princess who looks after a very special lighthouse lamp, fishes off the balcony, and goes swimming with seals. This vibrant modern fairytale follows a lighthouse-keeper princess who rescues a boy during a storm. It was the winner of the Storylines Gavin...

A playful and comprehensive look-up reference to everyday words, for anyone interested in te reo Maori. This comprehensive picture dictionary contains illustrations for over 1400 of the most common words used in daily life. Wonderfully illustrated by two up-and-coming Maori artists, The Maori Picture Dictionary / Te Papakupu Whakaahua has a sense of fun that makes it easy to use....

Le Quesnoy (pronounced Leck con wah) is a town in northern France. It is surrounded by high walls and deep trenches. In World War I, it was occupied by the German army for four long years. In November 1918, the town was liberated by soldiers from far-away New Zealand. Because these men used a bit of Kiwi ingenuity, they were...

When a purler of a storm tears apart the campground, champion knitter Granny McFlitter is determined to stitch it back together. But there's a bothersome goat chasing after her tasty knitting, and she'll need to be more creative than ever before... Kids will love this wild-weather adventure from the award-winning creators of Granny McFlitter! Can our favourite champion knitter use...

If you ever thought detectives can't be divas, you need to meet Lulu and her fabulous mystery-solving dance troupe! This illustrated chapter series is ideal for dance-mad emerging and confident readers. Will Lulu and the Silver Stars deliver a stolen celebrity necklace and an unforgettable dance performance? The Silver Star Dancers have landed a gig dancing the flamenco at a...

From the marae to the whare, from getting to know each other to sharing kai, this illustrated picture dictionary is a fabulous guide to the Māori way of life! Stacey Morrison has created an illustrated guide to Māori customs and practices for children (and adults), as a companion to her #1 bestselling My First Words in Māori. My First Words...

Violet and the Velvets can hardly believe they've come so far in the BandChamps competition with only hard work, a smidge of talent, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. This time, they get to record their new song in a proper recording studio and star in their very own music video! But Violet is letting her perfectionism...

The Dragon Defenders series is a best-selling, rip-roaring, page-turning series featuring dragons and their brave child guardians. It includes mind-blowing, interactive augmented reality content accessible via the free AR Reads app. The Pitbull's plans to capture the dragons from Flynn and Paddy's paradise island have been spoiled twice already, so he's hell-bent on revenge. But first, he must find a...

Slinky Malinki Catflaps by Lynley Dodd is a delightful and enchanting tale that captivates both young readers and adults alike. The story follows the mischievous Slinky Malinki, a black cat with a penchant for nighttime adventures. As he dozes peacefully by the warmth of the fire, the allure of the moonlit night and the open catflap prove too tempting to...

Dive into the delightful world of Lynley Dodd's beloved character in Hairy Maclary and Friends: Six Rollicking Stories. This special collection captures the adventures of the mischievous and loveable dog, Hairy Maclary, from Donaldson's Dairy, along with his myriad of furry and feathered friends. The collection includes six charming tales: Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy: Join Hairy Maclary as he...

In Schnitzel Von Krumm's Basketwork by Lynley Dodd, readers are introduced to the endearing Schnitzel Von Krumm, a dog with a particularly strong attachment to his old, worn-out basket. This beloved basket, despite its shabby and smelly appearance, is Schnitzel's sanctuary, providing him with comfort and security. However, when Schnitzel's family decides to replace it with a brand new, smart-looking...

The Pitbull is furious. His evil plans to capture the dragons on Flynn and Paddy’s paradise island have come to nothing. And now his niece, Briar, has joined forces with the brothers. As he musters his men and machines for a final attempt, a devastating natural disaster strikes which completely changes the game—perhaps forever. This is the fourth junior novel...

The witch and her cat fly along in this te reo Māori translation of He Wahi I Te Puruma. Three kind animals help the witch, so they ride on the broom with the witch and cat. But the broom breaks, and they tumble off—right by a dragon who wants to eat the witch. But the animals save the day, and...

Singer-songwriter Deano Yipadee has produced yet another toe-tapping, singalong song, this time about Nee Naw’s friend, Moto Mike the Motorbike. Farmer Tom and his tractor are leading the annual pumpkin parade. When the tractor wheel jolts off the edge of the bridge, Tom finds himself in a precarious situation. Enter Nee Naw’s mate, Moto Mike, who swiftly takes action and...

Let It Go encourages children to explore what emotions feel like in their body and find a unique way to release them. Join Aroha and her friends as they navigate their way through four emotions: sadness, anger, shame, and fear. The Latin derivative for the word emotion, 'emotere,' literally means energy in motion. Following on from the huge success of...

A heartwarming story originated in te reo Maori by an award-winning Maori-Pasifika author about aroha, whanau, passing down traditional knowledge and welcoming in the new year. He kairaranga puhara a Nanny Rina, ka taea te raranga i nga momo kupenga katoa! Ka patai ana tana mokopuna, a Haeata te Kapua, mo nga kupenga ka rarangahia hei powhiri i te tau...

In this time-travel storybook and cookbook with a cosmic twist, take a journey through time and space to discover the secrets of baking! Did you know that bread is made from stardust? Board the rocket and blast off on an adventure through time and space to discover the secrets of a home-baked loaf! Big Bang Bread is a kids' time-travel...

Kiwicorn is a ridiculously cute and funny story about being unique. With gorgeous illustrations and writing, it helps children to understand their emotions and opens a light-hearted dialogue about diversity. The lack of a pronoun for Kiwicorn introduces children to the idea of gender diversity and fosters an awareness of the fluidity of gender. The Kiwicorn story aids parents and...

Join Pee Wee on fun-filled adventures to his Koro’s farm! Meet all the farm animals including Kura the Dog, Heihei the Chicken, Hipi the Sheep, and more. Count the bees and spot the ladybug on each page! Every book comes with a free Pee Wee the Kiwi plush toy. Pee Wee the Kiwi Spends the Day at the Farm BB...

by Lynley Dodd is another delightful tale of the mischievous and adventurous black cat with bright yellow eyes. This beautifully illustrated children's book explores the curiosity and antics of Slinky Malinki and his feathered friend, Syd the rainbow lorikeet, as they embark on a new escapade that could lead to more trouble than they anticipate. Slinky Malinki is known for...

Can you find all the silver ferns? What about spot the differences on the rugby team's tour bus? You'll have a ball of a time diving into the crazy world of The Sporty Looky Book.The Looky Book series continues with a hilarious 24-page puzzle book that puts you right in the middle of all the sporting action. Providing hours of...

The Tractor Has a Wobbly Wheel by Tim Saunders poses the intriguing question: How do you fix a wobbly tractor wheel? Goat, pig, horse, and friends have some ideas! But which one will work?

Nga Wira o te Pahi begins with "Ko nga wira o te pahi ka taka-huri-huri . . ." This well-known song now takes us on a journey across the beautiful landscapes of Aotearoa, where you might recognise some of the passengers: Kiwi, Hoiho, Tuatara, Piwakawaka, and many more. Hop on the bus and join the song! This delightful picture book...

Immerse your family in the beautiful and rich culture of New Zealand with My First Words in Maori by revered broadcaster and Maori language champion Stacey Morrison. This enchanting book serves as a wonderful introduction to the Maori language for both children and parents alike. Gorgeously illustrated by Ali Teo and John O'Reilly, the book features vibrant and lively pictures...

This fascinating look at Matariki in New Zealand and around the world is now retold in te reo Māori. The Matariki constellation (or Pleiades) is known by many different names and is seen and celebrated by many cultures around the world. This beautifully illustrated book features 18 stories: 9 of which highlight the Māori Matariki stars, while the others reference...

My Body for Kiwi Babies by Matthew Williamson and Fraser Williamson is a delightful bilingual board book that serves as a perfect introduction to the different parts of the body for the youngest readers. This beautifully crafted book features vibrant and engaging illustrations that capture the essence of the children of Aotearoa, making it an ideal learning tool for Kiwi...

The Dragon Defenders - Book Two is a best-selling, rip-roaring, page-turning tale of dragons and their brave child guardians. With mind-blowing, interactive augmented reality content accessible via the free app AR Reads, this book offers a truly immersive experience. Evil boss, The Pitbull, has wasted nine months waiting for the dragon's egg he stole from Flynn and Paddy's paradise island...

The best park ever has just been cursed by an evil ultravillain! It's up to best friends Shackleton and Amelia to save their favourite place, no matter what crazy curses turn up along the way. What do you get if you cross The Bad Guys with Indiana Jones? The first book in a brand-new graphic novel series by comedian Sam...

There's a new bird in the bush. Flit is bored. And hungry. A tasty mozzie lures him out of his nest. "I CAN fly," he calls, before he hits the ground with a THUD. How will he get back to his nest? Join Flit and his friends—Kiki the kaka, rascally robins Bit and Bob, Keri the kiwi, and wise old...

What better place for a penguin to waddle across the road than to a local sushi shop, lured by the smell of delicious seafood? Inspired by the true story of a little blue penguin (korora) who was removed twice (the second time with a friend!) from beneath a sushi store in Wellington, and returned to a nesting box on the...

Schnitzel von Krumm Forget-me-not by Lynley Dodd is a delightful tale that will captivate readers of all ages. This charming story is part of the beloved Hairy Maclary and Friends series, renowned for its endearing characters and rhyming verses. In this instalment, Schnitzel von Krumm, with his distinctive short legs and long body, once again finds himself in a mischievous...

Over mountains and across rivers, this delightful true story traces a high-country cat's epic, five-week journey home to New Zealand's most remote station. Dwayne is a rumble-tumble tabby cat who knows where he belongs—up on the farm at Muzzle Station. So, when he's taken to live far away in the town of Kaikoura, what's a cat to do? Shake the...

It's a damp and dull day, but in the kitchen, it's warm and cosy. David and his mother are baking, and the delicious smells bring a greedy witch to their garden. Witches love to steal freshly baked cakes! She is going to use every magic trick she knows to steal their scrumptious treats, but can David outsmart her? A mouth-watering...

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, Ko Nga Whetu Takirua o Matariki: Ko Waiti Raua Ko Waita: one looks after fresh water and lakes, the other salt water – the ocean. When they notice Waiti is looking dim one...

Margaret Mahy's classic cautionary tale The Great White Man-Eating Shark is reimagined with delightfully cheeky illustrations from Herb MacDonald, the winner of the 2024 Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize. Welcome to Caramel Cove. The beach is amazing. The ocean is even better. Norvin loves to swim and shoot through the water like a silver arrow. He doesn't like sharing his beloved...

Cooking can be truly enjoyable and effortless with Edmonds Beginner's Cookbook by Goodman Fielder. This comprehensive guide is designed to help novice chefs and young cooks master the art of cooking with confidence. The cookbook features a delightful array of easy-to-follow recipes that will impress friends and family alike. Each recipe is meticulously crafted to ensure success every time. The...

Distinguished educator and translator Tauanu'u Perenise Tapu Sitagata joins with artist Ani Huia Ligaliga to present 30 Samoan proverbs for children in the original language, alongside translations and explanations in English. Each proverb is presented in Gagana Samoa and English above an illustration, with bilingual explanations below. Traversing themes from family, leadership and education to the environment and spirituality, Alaga'upu...

Join Ari and his motor sports family as they race karts, speed around a Formula One track, and tear through a rally. Motor Sports contains three illustrated short stories using the same characters. Great for struggling readers with an emphasis on action, relationships, and humour. Dyslexia-friendly text on soft matte cream paper. Illustrated by premium NZ illustrators, each title includes...

Join Kate and Kyle as they put up with their embarrassing parents, manage everyone's fears, and miss the bus! The Twins contains three illustrated short stories using the same characters. Great for struggling readers, with an emphasis on action, relationships, and humour. Dyslexia-friendly text is printed on soft matt cream paper. Illustrated by premium NZ illustrators, each title includes an...

Join Buster the dog and his family as he makes terrible smells, annoys the man at the bike shop, and saves the day! Buster contains three illustrated short stories using the same characters. Great for struggling readers, with an emphasis on action, relationships, and humour. Dyslexia-friendly text on soft matte cream paper. Illustrated by premium NZ illustrators, each title includes...

Join Grandpa and Boy as they try to catch snapper, go pig hunting, and stop swearing—all with a little help from Nan. Grandpa and Boy contains three illustrated short stories featuring the same characters. It's a great choice for struggling readers, offering a delightful mix of action, relationships, and humour. The book is designed to be dyslexia-friendly, with text printed...

Join Selena and Mia in Auckland as they snap a pic, get the better of some bullies, and sweeten Grandma. Selena and Mia contains three illustrated short stories using the same characters. Great for struggling readers, with an emphasis on action, relationships and humour. Dyslexia friendly text on soft matte cream paper. Illustrated by premium NZ illustrators, each title includes...

Join Violet and her little sister, Rose, as they navigate the complexities of their blended family and embrace Violet's love for shoes and her passion for football. Two Roads Home contains three illustrated short stories using the same characters. Great for struggling readers, with an emphasis on action, relationship, and humour. Dyslexia-friendly text on soft matte cream paper. Illustrated by...

Join Emili as she goes on the hunt for new boots for her rugby-loving brother Sefa, swaps unwanted items for new treasures with her friends and reduces waste by starting a neighbourhood street swap. The Swap Shop contains three illustrated short stories using the same characters. Great for struggling readers, with an emphasis on action, relationships and humour. Dyslexia-friendly text...