New Zealand Children's Books

Join Sonny and his tuahine as they earn pocket money by learning the rules, make yummy (or not so yummy) kai for Mum and Dad, and share embarrassing moments together. Pocket Money 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...

Join Grandpa, Big Bubba, and his big brother as they do the shopping, visit a friend, and bond with their cats, Fluffy and Scruffy—all while Mum is at work! Big Bubba contains three illustrated short stories featuring the same characters. It is great for struggling readers with an emphasis on action, relationships, and humour. The text is dyslexia-friendly, printed on...

The Dragon at the Zoo by Melanie Koster introduces us to Cedric, a dragon like no other. He lives at the zoo, adores children, and is quite possibly the most spectacular dragon Tig has ever known. However, when the real reptiles insist he is not a true dragon, Cedric begins to doubt himself. With Tig on his back, he soars...

Let’s build a seawall! Tide’s coming in. We’ll take on the sea and see if we can win! Two children build a wall of sand, decorated with shells, and defy the sea to destroy it … which it does, taking a few more shells away with each wave, providing a lesson in subtraction along the way!

From the brilliant team that created family favourite and bestseller The Tractor has a Wobbly Wheel.The farm animals are having a field day with all the farmer's clothes, using them in all sorts of inventive ways.With perfect bouncy rhyme, this is a silly delight to read out loud. The illustrations capture the animals' strange and wonderful inner lives.

Nga Tai Korero means 'the currents of speech', a reference to the Maori tradition of oral storytelling. In this colourful book, Warren Pohatu retells in simple form fourteen Maori stories and myths that have been passed down over centuries - including old favourites like 'Maui and the Fish', 'Paikea and the Whale', 'Tutanekai and Hinemoa', 'Ngatoroirangi', 'Rona and the Moon',...

Treasured mums, queen mums, and all the in-between mums! What kind of Mum do you have? Celebrate them all in this ridiculously fun, rhyming picture book from Sarina Dickson, with humourous search-and-find style illustrations from award-winning artist Ant Sang. A perfect book for everyday reading and gift-giving. 'I'm a lot of the different mums in this book.' - Laura McGoldrick,...

Under the Ocean introduces young children to the creatures that live in the seas around New Zealand. The book describes different habitats: underwater reefs, the sea floor, the open ocean, and the deep ocean. Animals featured in the fact pages include octopus and squid, sharks and rays, whales, dolphins, penguins, and many others. Under the Ocean is the third volume...

From Moa to Dinosaurs, the fifth title in the acclaimed explore & discover series for children, looks back in time to reveal what lived in ancient New Zealand. The book begins with a glimpse of the animals that lived in New Zealand just before people arrived. It then goes back in time, providing snapshots of particular periods, as far back...

Nga waka? Cars? Yes! Nga pukapuka? Books? Yes! Te wharepaku? Toilet? NO! Little Rapeti (Rabbit) is busy playing. He is far too busy to go to the toilet ... Uh-Oh!

The Dragon Hunters is a captivating children's picture book that follows the adventurous journey of two brothers. Their quest is to rescue their beloved dog from the clutches of a marauding dragon. This book marks the beginning of the exciting The Dragon Brothers Trilogy, promising more thrilling adventures ahead.

How do you describe colour to someone who is blind? Isaac and Luke are friends. Luke is blind and believes that he doesn’t need colours in his life. Isaac can’t imagine a world without colour and decides to teach his friend about them. Because Luke is blind, Isaac must appeal to his other senses. Through his vivid descriptions and by...

'Twas the dawn before Christmas and, down at the bach, Santa was fishing... just one more he'd catch. From the creators of the ultimate Kiwi Christmas read-aloud A Kiwi Night Before Christmas comes the prequel—A Kiwi Day Before Christmas—and Santa’s got work to do! Luckily, his trusty little helpers have been busying themselves in his workshop with all that gift...

A family's delightful journey across town and into a place which is fun, restful, informative, musical and absorbing in turn. A very special treat for library lovers, young and old alike, from one of Aotearoa's best-loved author/illustrators.

This is the story of Hare, who struggles with an unnamed mental malady self-described as 'noise'. Noise could be runaway thoughts, voices in Hare's head, or loud feelings and general anxiety. Hare goes on a journey to try and find a solution. Just when Hare thinks there's no hope, a friend, Ruru, flies calmly down and gives a suggestion. Hare...

Sunflowers Don't Grow in Winter is a delightful tale of hope, determination, and a young boy's love of sunflowers. Ziggy decides to plant sunflowers in autumn, despite everyone knowing that sunflowers don't grow in winter. Or do they? This true story offers an engaging narrative for children, inviting them to discover whether the impossible is possible. Accompanying the story is...

Inviting children to explore and discover in both English and Māori, Kuwi & Friends: Rapua! I Spy blends education and amusement. This book brims with 'I Spy with My Little Eye' challenges, promising endless hours of interactive enjoyment. Through captivating Kiwiana seek-and-find tasks, this collection not only captivates young minds but also nurtures language skills. A portion of each purchase...

They're wondering what special treats Santa will bring them. Kiwi wants to fly, Tuatara wants a soft place to lie, Tūī wants a mirror, and so on. Kererū just wants to be able to sing like Tūī. Santa makes his midnight flight, delivering all the presents. But he can't give Kererū what he wants... Everyone is so excited when they...

I am the Humble Bumble. No one is as humble as me. So announces the not-so-humble bumblebee, who proceeds to take credit for all her friends’ hard work in collecting pollen. But when she takes it a step too far, trying to claim a whole field of flowers for herself, the Queen Bee herself delivers a lesson in humility. Humble...

A beloved Maori legend about what happened when Rona dared to curse Te Marama, as told by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage. Gossage's classic retelling of the Maori myth of Rona and the Moon. Rona is charged with the important task of making food ready for her family when they return from a fishing trip. As night falls,...

“Funny, exciting, charming, mysterious, and just the right amount of genuinely scary. Brave young heroes, dark secrets, and a warm heart make this a hugely satisfying adventure for readers of all ages.” Dylan Horrocks, author of Hicksville Miro and Zia live in Aurora, a fishing town nestled in the shadow of an ancient castle. Miro lives in his books; Zia...

A class trip to the zoo descends into a chaotic hunt for the missing hippopotamus. Teacher, zookeeper, and all the children join the search. The noise and drama reach a fever pitch, yet no one thinks to listen to quiet Liam, who might actually know where the hippo is hiding. Te Hipo Huna by Juliette MacIver captures the excitement and...

An award-winning illustrated detective story set in a friendly forest and first in the acclaimed series for beginning readers. Detective Gordon – a mystery-solving toad who loves cake – has his very first case. Someone’s stealing nuts from the forest, and it’s up to Detective Gordon to catch the thief! Unfortunately, solving this crime means standing in the snow and...

Cook’s Cook follows the 1768 journey of James Cook’s H.M.S. Endeavour with his ship’s cook, the one-handed John Thompson, as storyteller. Through real recipes, events on board, and the places the ship travelled on its way to the Pacific, the book tells multiple stories. Here are stories of social class, hierarchy, and race; stories of explorers and the people of...

Meet Dame Whina Cooper, the kuia who championed Māori rights, women's rights, and led a famous hīkoi for positive change - te reo Māori edition of Mother of the Nation, translated by Stacey Morrison. A Māori-language, illustrated true story for children about Dame Whina Cooper, one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most exceptional leaders - a courageous and outspoken wahine toa...

A beautiful picture book retelling of Witi Ihimaera's bestselling novel The Whale Rider, illustrated by Bruce Potter. Witi Ihimaera's bestselling novel The Whale Rider is retold in a beautifully illustrated picture book format for young readers. From the time of her birth, Kahu is destined to become the leader of her tribe in the East Coast village of Whangara. But...

A fierce wind blows. Thunder rumbles. Will the brave engine and carriages tumble? Written in steady, clicketty-clack rhyme, Joy Cowley’s tale of Hero Of The Hill brings a little-known slice of New Zealand history to life.

Animals of Aotearoa is a must-have compendium for children curious about New Zealand’s wild animals. Based on the award-winning and best-selling Explore and Discover children’s series about New Zealand’s natural history, this book is packed full of illustrations and information about our native animals, both common and rare, as well as many well-known introduced animals. The book includes land and...

Are you lost? Come in! You’re in luck—there’s no one here just now. Shhh… Be as quiet as you can, and very, very careful! In The House of Madame M, we explore a strange house: hallway, living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Each room is full of surprises to make even the bravest shiver. Are we in the house of...

A new book in the brilliant Which? series by Andrew Crowe. This book makes it simple to identify a spider and learn about its lifestyle. All spiders commonly seen in New Zealand will be covered, both native and introduced. Which New Zealand Spider? will be full of detail and include the author's trademark features of easy, accurate identification. Illustrated throughout...

A lively story with stunning illustrations that reveals the tradition of Matariki. The Astromancer is looking for four new apprentices to learn about Matariki and the Maramataka calendar. She chooses three boys and an orphan girl, Aria, who will come only if she can bring her smelly dog. Aria, though, is bored by the lessons, and she doesn't want to...

Meet green-hoofed Giraffe, unstoppable creator of the most magnificent garden. But when he injures his neck, will all his hard work go to ruin? Not if Giraffe Junior has anything to do with it! Explore the plantings and smell the roses in this delightful picture book that will inspire the next generation of gardeners! I'm Giraffe! That's me, your dad,...

“Dear Jim, Your postcard arrived today. I showed it to the family. Mum misses you…” Between December 1914 and August 1915, Tom and Jim write to each other whenever they get a chance. Tom talks about life at home on the farm while Jim writes from Egypt and then from the trenches of the Gallipoli peninsula. From the author and...

It's been a dry summer in the valley when food starts going missing. Hare wants to mount a defence to protect the precious food that remains, but is that the right approach? Moonlight Mission is a story of community, ingenuity, and coming together to solve a problem.

What would you do if you accidentally created a barking-mad glove puppet, with sharp teeth, a fierce attitude and an unpredictable mouth? A boy and a fast-talking terrier glove puppet form a hilarious double act in this warm and funny illustrated novel for readers eight years and older. Twelve-year-old Freddie Foxworthy just wants to do arts and crafts. He finds...

Good Sports is a powerful illustrated storybook celebrating Aotearoa's sporting heroes. Be inspired by this collection of true stories about 50 remarkable Kiwi sports heroes—people who have set goals, aimed high, and achieved their dreams. A real mixture of well-known and lesser-known stories, this book is about a diverse range of sportspeople (and one horse!) who have achieved against expectations...

The popular children's picture book Who Sank the Boat? is now translated into te reo Māori. With the same beautiful illustrations as the original book, the te reo Māori translation retains the humour, simplicity, and fun of the original story, encouraging readers to decide which animal really did sink the boat.

Te Pakanga a nga Maunga / Battle of the Mountains by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage tells a captivating legend from New Zealand's central North Island. This story explores the dramatic clash and rivalry among some of the region's most famous mountains. Through Gossage's vivid retelling, readers are transported to a time when these majestic peaks were not...

Hairy Maclary's Hat Tricks by Lynley Dodd takes readers on another delightful adventure with the lovable scruffy dog, Hairy Maclary. In this charming tale, Hairy Maclary is eager to play fetch, but he can't find anyone to join in the fun. As the wind picks up, threatening to spoil an important event, our determined and playful canine hero sees an...

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy is 40! To celebrate the raggedy rascal's birthday, this is a very special upsized hardback edition of Lynley Dodd's iconic first Hairy Maclary story. A very special upsized hardback 40th birthday edition of Lynley Dodd's iconic first Hairy Maclary book, which introduces the famous Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy and his canine gang. Out of...

Capture the enchanting and whimsical world of Hairy Maclary and his friends with Hairy Maclary and Friends: Baby's First Year Cards by Lynley Dodd. This delightful set is perfect for commemorating your baby's first year, an invaluable keepsake that brings magic to those fleeting moments of early parenthood. Designed with the charming illustrations and endearing characters from Lynley Dodd's beloved...

Stink-o-saurus tells the tale of Stan, a rare dinosaur like no other. While most dinosaurs roared from their front, Stan's roar came from his behind! You’ll split your pants laughing at Stan, the world’s only stink-o-saurus. But can his stinky antics save the day and keep Tommy T-Rex far away? From the creators of the hilarious Jingle Bells, What's That...

Theo and Rachel Matheson, spirited and adventurous eleven-year-old twins, head to Auckland expecting an ordinary fortnight's holiday with their uncle and aunt. Little do they know that their adventure will be anything but ordinary. Upon arrival, they encounter their peculiar neighbours who show a troubling interest in the redheaded siblings. This curiosity is further amplified when the twins meet the...

Best friend cousins Ana and Frog turn junior detectives in a determined search for Whaea McCready's missing horse, Minty. Ana & Frog Search for Minty the Missing Horse is an adventurous tale about Ana, who loves that horse more than anything. More than hip-hop. Much more than homework. And her cousin is right by her side. So Ana and Frog...

A special anniversary edition celebrating Wonky’s 10th birthday! Five hilarious stories and songs from international bestseller Craig Smith! Featuring: The Wonky Donkey Willbee the Bumblebee My Daddy Ate an Apple Square Eyes The Scariest Thing in the Garden Who could resist this value-packed, bumper treasury?

Beep-beep! Chug-chug! Zooooom! Delve into the mesmerising world of vehicles with Vehicles for Kiwi Babies, a bilingual board book by Matthew Williamson and Fraser Williamson that introduces our youngest readers to the fascinating machines that move across Aotearoa. This enchanting board book is perfect for little ones eager to discover the joy of vehicles, encapsulating their vibrant sounds and dynamic...

The roof-raising, sing-along story of Nee Naw the Little Fire Engine is now available in a new board book edition! Granny’s in trouble – her house is on fire and she is trapped! The two big engines go roaring off to help but both suffer misfortune on the way to Granny’s place. Time for Nee Naw to step up and...

The Grinny Granny Donkey, a #1 Bestseller, is now available in a delightful boxed set featuring an adorable plush and a hardback mini-book. In this heart-warming story, Wonky Donkey has a mum with the same lovable personality as her son. Kids, parents, and their loved ones will enjoy the hilarity and cumulative read-aloud fun this book offers. Grinny Granny Donkey...

In Wake up, Bear by beloved author Lynley Dodd, known for her renowned Hairy Maclary and Friends series, we follow the delightful adventures of Bear who, despite the arrival of spring, remains ensconced in his deep slumber, oblivious to the world around him. As the forest blossoms with life and energy, Bear's friends gather, determined to rouse him from his...

Following the success of Kiwis and Koalas, Bridge to Anywhere is the much anticipated sequel - another charming and whimsical tale of love, loss, and bridging the distance between the people and places we miss.

All is well in Gabriel’s Gully, the ramshackle gold rush town. But not for long. Michael and Atarangi have become firm friends with Siu, a Chinese miner’s daughter who came to the schoolhouse to learn. But when bad news from the coast draws their parents away, things take a shocking turn. Disaster strikes, and sinister faces from the past reappear....

Celebrating 40 years of Greedy Cat, we are proud to re-release this NZ classic picture book. When Grandma goes on holiday, Katie offers to look after her goldfish. Greedy Cat thinks that's an excellent idea...

It's time for Little Kiwi to go to bed, but he's nowhere to be found! In Time for Bed, Little Kiwi by Bob Darroch, join Little Kiwi's mum as she embarks on an enchanting and heart-warming search through the picturesque New Zealand bush. As dusk falls and the forest comes alive with nocturnal creatures, she encounters a variety of native...

An exciting adventure novel for contemporary kids with a fairytale setting, a daring hero, and a message that you're never too young and powerless to stand up to tyrants! What happens when a group of school children, led by the resourceful ten-year-old Dance Violet, dare to ask those in power some hard questions? Find out in this magical novel by...

The three young soldiers in the story are best friends from school, and they leave New Zealand together to go and fight at Gallipoli. Landing first in Egypt, they travel by ship to Anzac Cove and dig into trenches to fight the Turkish troops holding the peninsula. Conditions are tough and Joe gets sick, but his mates help him off...

Flit the Fantail and the Christmas Crash by Kat Quin brings Flit back into a hairy situation—caught in Santa’s majestic beard! With Santa at the helm, Flit accidentally embarks on a jolly journey, delivering presents to all the children and native critters of Aotearoa. At the end of a busy, beardy night, Flit is safely returned to his nest with...

There are three simply illustrated, playful stories in this graphic novel-style volume, each one featuring two friends, Big Blue and Little Blue. Each story is connected by a wellbeing theme and is designed to offer children coping strategies for navigating friendships, understanding emotional responses, and the importance of mindfulness and being yourself.

The Little Yellow Digger is back and this time it's at the beach. After the digger rescues a truck stuck on a beach, Charlie the dog excitedly uncovers something else buried in the sand. Further investigation reveals what looks like a treasure chest... but who knows what is inside...

'Shall we just walk along, Dad, or shall we make some of it up?' Join Michael and his over-worked dad as they journey home one fun-filled afternoon. Overflowing with imagination, this wondrous and beautiful book is from the celebrated children's writer Margaret Mahy and award-winning illustrator Lily Emo. Praise for The Boy Who Made Things Up: 'Wildly beautiful artwork' -...

Join Sam and Te Rerehua as they prepare a Matariki feast! It’s the day before Matariki and a big feast has been prepared. Eeling took place months ago and Te Rerehua and Sam are excited to give thanks to Tupuanuku and Tupuarangi, the stars connected to food grown in and above the ground. But one night, those sneaky Patupaiarehe return...

Lily Goat was white and lean and really quite a sassy queen. But she was bored and she was blue, she yearned for something new to do. Discover Goat On a Trampoline by Amy Harrop, an enchanting tale that captures the heart with its whimsical charm and delightful character.

Read and sing along with this hilarious tale about hungry possums creating havoc in our forests... and find out how they get their desserts! This hugely popular story about solving New Zealand's pesky possum problem also has its very own song. When Mister Possum and his greedy family refuse to change their diet of luscious New Zealand trees, a plan...

Hairy Maclary, Sit by Lynley Dodd is a delightful and engaging children’s story that follows the mischievous adventures of Hairy Maclary. The tale begins with Hairy Maclary causing chaos in town as he blissfully ignores the commands of his owner and others. His playful defiance leads to a string of humorous and heartwarming moments that capture the essence of his...

Tama and the Taniwha by Melanie Koster is a delightful children's book that blends Maori folklore with a heartwarming story about courage and friendship. The story follows a young boy named Tama who encounters a mythical creature, the Taniwha. Their unexpected friendship leads Tama on an adventure filled with excitement and valuable life lessons. This beautifully illustrated book not only...

The number one bestseller now available in board book form, perfect for little hands! This favourite children's song, which is sung in schools and preschools around the country, receives the Topp Twins/Jenny Cooper treatment, in the style of the bestselling There's a Hole in my Bucket.

Gumboots are the favourite footwear of the hero of this picture book – but also of the giant weta who thinks they make a perfect home. After a battle of wills and yuck moments meeting Koro Weta, a happy compromise for co-existence is found: a weta hotel and some new gumboots – that are see-through! A perfect mix of giggles...

'Splendidly inventive, expertly controlled, full of passion and compassion, and a narrative I would give four fingernails to have thought of.' — David Hill 'A compelling and lovingly crafted novel.' — David Mitchell The same evening Josh Underhill went missing, the black horse appeared on the hill above the house. Thirteen-year-old Ella knows that words are powerful. So she should...

From the renowned creators of My First Words in Maori comes an essential addition to any child's language-learning journey: a beautifully illustrated set of flashcards designed to enhance and support tamariki in their te reo Māori development. Produced under the expert guidance of Māori language champion, Stacey Morrison, these flashcards are more than just educational tools; they are keys to...

A melodious counting picture book bursting with troublesome tūī, perfect to read aloud! The familiar antics of one of New Zealand's favourite native birds have been captured by award-winning picture book creators Elena de Roo and Paul Beavis. SQUAWK! Things are getting loud! The kowhai branch is bending ... what a sticky tūī crowd! Have the tūī slurped too much...

Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack by Lynley Dodd is a delightful, rhyming tale that will enchant readers of all ages. It tells the story of Hairy Maclary, a loveable dog who is just looking for a quiet place to enjoy his afternoon nap. However, his peaceful plans are quickly disrupted by Zachary Quack, a small but incredibly determined duckling who...

This very special annual featuring Vicki, Kelly, and Amanda Wilson and their horses and ponies will delight fans of the Showtym Adventures series—and even the most horse-mad! Showtym Adventures Annual is packed with games, puzzles, quizzes, and activities based around the adventures of the Wilson Sisters and their ponies. Calling all fans of the Showtym Adventures series! Inside the Showtym...

On Mum and Ted’s farm there’s a very large barn, where Milky the cow was a pet. But no-one could guess how she got herself stuck in the mud on a rain-sodden night. Join Bryn, Oscar and a parade of machines—and broken gear—as they help Milky out of the muck. A funny, light-hearted story with a surprise twist at the...