New Zealand Children's Books

Learn the Māori words and assist with understanding differences visually, for a number of commonly used opposite words. Illustrated with the cutest native birds and critters, this is a beautifully presented te reo Māori and English bilingual board book. Drawn from the multi-award-winning Kuwi & Friends Māori Picture Dictionary, this book is collated into bite-sized pukapuka. It is a stunning,...

Queen of the Cosmos, Beatrice Hill Tinsley lived every day as if she was on borrowed time. Over her short time on Earth, she was determined to further the world's knowledge of the stars and galaxies. But it was not easy being a female scientist in those times. She would have to make a heartbreaking decision in order to follow...

A sailing/camping holiday in Tasmania’s southern waterways becomes an exercise in independence and resourcefulness for a group of Kiwi and Australian children as a series of unforeseen events unfold, and youthful idealism comes head-to-head with challenges and misconceptions.

The eighth and final book in a bestselling junior fiction series inspired by true stories from the Wilson Sisters' childhoods. It's their greatest adventure yet - a road trip in search of ponies! In this exciting conclusion to the bestselling Showtym Adventures series, Amanda, Kelly and Vicki go on a road trip to find their dream ponies! Nine-year-old Amanda is...

The seventh book in an exciting junior fiction series inspired by true stories from the Wilson Sisters' childhoods. The race is on... will Vicki find a new champion? In the seventh Showtym Adventure, it's a race against time for Vicki to find and train a brand new pony for the show season. Should she go for experience, or for potential?...

Taniwha tells the poetic, touching story of a young boy who meets a taniwha when visiting his nearby river. It's a poignant tale of friendship and belief, while also conveying the significance of the taniwha figure to wider Māori life and culture.

An award-winning story in te reo Māori about how a new baby needs time to hatch and grow, for all young brothers- and sisters-in-waiting. Ahea RAWA pao ai te hua? This Māori-language story is for all children eagerly awaiting a new sibling. Kia oho a Pipi, ka pekepeke ia? 'E kao, Kiwi Iti, taria te wa.' He korero ataahua mo...

A beloved Maori myth about how Maui outwitted Te Ra, as told by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage. Faced with too short days and long nights, Maui comes up with a plan to slow the sun's passage through the sky. With the help of his brothers, Maui sets out for the home of the sun to catch it...

Illustrated in full colour and packed with character and humour, this is the fifth whodunnit mystery in the award-winning Detective Gordon series, fun to read alone or aloud. A Case with a Bang is the final book in the series of funny detective stories for early readers, set in a friendly forest where two determinedly fair police—retired-toad Gordon and the...

As the sun sets, which creatures come to life as others drift to sleep? What goes on in the forest under cover of darkness? This stunning picture book explores the hidden world of nocturnal creatures in Aotearoa New Zealand's bush. A perfect bedtime lullaby for tamariki. Te ngahere i te pō The forest at night by Kiri Lightfoot invites readers...

Someone is stealing sheep from the sleepy town of Dargaville! When Pippa's woolly best friend Lulabelle gets snatched, she goes on an extraordinary adventure to get her friend back with the help of ex-professional-weightlifting policeman Mike Te Hira. There will be tickle fights, angry phone calls to the mayor, and a gumboot-throwing competition. Will Lulabelle be found safe and sound?...

The gripping sequel to Violet Black THE SECOND RIVETING BOOK IN THE FAST-PACED BLACK SPIRAL TRILOGY. Back from Germany and the assignment that went horribly wrong, Violet doesn't know who to trust— It's fortunate for me that the Foundation staff can't read my thoughts... If they could read my thoughts, they'd never let me go. I'd be a liability, and...

Wise, tough, heart-breaking, funny, this compulsive love story is about facing your demons. Fifteen-year-old Rebecca McQuilten moves with her parents to a new city. Lonely but trying to fit in, she goes to a party, but that's when things really fall apart. I couldn't tell anyone what had happened. Especially since I was the new girl in town. Who would...

When Leo was five, he wanted a real bike for Christmas. Dad helped him write the letter to Santa. Leo wanted to see Santa and say thank you, but he only ever visits when Leo is sleeping! Why can't Santa visit during the day?

Celebrating 40 years of Greedy Cat, we are proud to re-release this NZ classic picture book. Greedy Cat and the Sneeze tells the tale of Greedy Cat, who is feeling poorly. Snuffle and wheeze! Sniffle and sneeze! Katie thinks she has the answer to make him strong and healthy again... more food!

Take 14 of New Zealand's best-loved native animals, split them down the middle and what do you get? Nearly 200 crazy Kiwi combos, from rare to wacky. Mix and match for hours of fun. Funny pictures of 'Moretaras', 'tuaporks', 'seawis' and 'ki-lions' are teamed up with similarly mismatched poems: "My beak has nostrils at the end; it's useful I suppose....

Find one of New Zealand's heaviest spiders, a beetle once thought to be extinct, and many more interesting insects, as Kahukura plays hide and seek with her Chatham Island friends.

A full-colour illustrated chapter book for readers 6 years plus that returns to the exciting magical world of the Astromancer! Will headstrong Aria manage the impossible climb up to the stars and free Te Kokorangi from Ruatapu's clutches before time runs out? Enter the exciting and dangerous world of the Astromancer... This epic magical adventure inspired by Māori mythology is...

Jason Mason and the Dastardly Master of Disguise introduces us to Jason Mason, a pretty average kid. The kind of kid who always ends up with drips of melted ice cream on his sweatshirt. The kind of kid who puts cake in his shorts' pocket then accidentally sits on it. The kind of kid whose nana always asks if he's...

'A dazzling and delightful introduction to the joy of language' – Tessa Duder, award-winning author of Alex. Emma's new baby brother James was very nearly perfect, from his velvety head to his wiggly toes. She just wished he could talk. 'I am going to help you find your words,' she told him. But there were too many words to gather...

The lovable Wonky Donkey is back—but he’s playing hide-and-seek with Dinky Donkey! Join him in this playful adventure as he searches for his daughter. Lift the colourful felt flaps to help Wonky discover Dinky's hiding place and lead him to her ... and a big old hug. Where's Dinky Donkey? A Lift-the-Felt-Flap Book promises an engaging and interactive experience for...

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 in fits of laughter! There is much fun to be had by listening to the song and trying to predict the new word for each...

A bedtime story with a mix of the familiar bathtime to bedtime routine and a sprinkling of moonlit magic. Six taniwha, all looking at me, sing Beddy-Bye Time in the Kowhai Tree. "Beddy-bye time in the bubbly-white sea.” It’s almost bedtime and a young child counts objects, including kereru, taniwha, kea and sheep.

Just how much trouble can come about when a time machine falls into the claws of a scavenging swamp hen? Find out in the first book of this brilliant comic series rampaging all over New Zealand's timeline... A pūkeko and a tuatara cause time-travelling chaos in this hilarious graphic novel for readers six years and older, by comic artist Book...

Book 4 in this charming illustrated chapter book series, perfect for dance-mad, mystery-solving emerging and confident readers. An all-you-can-eat restaurant, a swinging country and western dance, and a mystery to solve for the Dance Detectives! Lulu and the Silver Star Dancers have an exciting gig dancing at the Ravenous Rooster, but nerves are frayed - notorious criminal Douglas Vipersnitch is...

Meet Goose, a passionate artist who wants to create a perfect portrait and win the village art competition. But after a whole week of painting Puffin and friends, Goose is all aflutter. Is an artist's work ever good enough? Goose strives to win an art award in this endearing tale from Kimberly Andrews' acclaimed Puffin the Architect series. I'm Goose!...

No training could have prepared Frank for a dangerous coastwatching mission against the Japanese in this award-winning WWII novel by David Hill. David Hill's tense, exciting war adventure inspired by the coastwatchers of Operation Pacific - winner of the 2022 NZSA Heritage Children's Book Award. It's not going to be a cushy job, young Benson. You're on your own. Japs...

Give your baby a head start with this soft, fabric version of the popular board book. Baby's World Cot Book is perfect for your baby's first six months, as the black and white images are designed to assist newborn eyes to focus.

There’s a big surf competition coming up. Eight-year-old Lisa is determined to take part, but she’s nervous. With encouragement from her coach, family and top paddler Māia, she trains hard. But disaster strikes when her canoe capsizes, shaking her confidence. Lisa goes to the river to compose herself and, with the help of her family and dog Colin, she draws...

The true story of Wānanga, a kea that was poisoned by lead, but recovered to be released again into the wild. Kea are the world’s only alpine parrot, highly intelligent and famous for their cheeky, often naughty behaviour. They are, however, endangered, and while predators are the main reason for this, they are also very vulnerable to lead poisoning from...

A Kiwi Went to Sea, Sea, Sea follows the delightful escapades of a Kiwi on a maritime adventure, hoping to catch some kai for tea. Will the kiwis enjoy their fun in the sun while relishing some delicious kai out on the deep blue sea? Or will creatures like the wheke, popoto, titi, mako, kekeno, and maki thwart their plans?...

Joy Cowley knows what makes children laugh. In A Lot of Silly, a book full of absurd poems and very short, silly stories, a man takes his tadpoles for a walk in his hat, a cat is surprised by its talking feet, and a tiger gobbles up a dentist. Ten baggy clowns do a do-wacky dance, along with many more...

Little Ruby and Friends explores the playground and finds all of her friends there! But they all face challenges as they run and swing and climb and kick the ball. Ruby discovers that her friends have very different ways of sorting out their problems - she even learns from them how to solve her own! Note from Ruby: Talofa, my...

One dollar from every book sold goes to Forest & Bird for their conservation efforts. This charming picture book tells the story of pūteketeke. Previously unknown to most people, it was thrust into the spotlight when it won the 'Bird of the Century' competition held by Forest & Bird in 2023. Most people expected the kiwi or kākāpo to win,...

In Zachary Quack Minimonster by Lynley Dodd, we follow the cheeky and energetic little duckling, Zachary Quack, on a whimsical adventure as he encounters a flicketty-quick dragonfly. With boundless energy and curiosity, Zachary Quack embarks on a playful pursuit, eager to catch the elusive insect. Little does he know, the chase will take him through a series of sticky and...

The Other Ark by Lynley Dodd is a deliciously funny and imaginative tale that will captivate children and parents alike. This delightful story comes from the bestselling author of the Hairy Maclary and Friends series, offering readers a charming glimpse into what happens when Noah's Ark is simply too full to board any more animals. Noah's Ark is bursting at...

Slinky Malinki, Early Bird by Lynley Dodd is a charming and delightfully illustrated tale about a mischievous black cat who loves the early morning hours. As dawn breaks, Slinky Malinki springs into action, eager to start the day. Full of energy and curiosity, he believes his human family should share his enthusiasm for the wee hours of the morning. From...

In Hairy Maclary, Shoo, the beloved and curious canine, Hairy Maclary, finds himself in a whole new adventure when he decides to snoop inside a delivery van. Little does he know, his inquisitive nature is about to lead him into a whirlwind of chaos and mayhem. As Hairy Maclary explores, young readers will be taken on a delightful journey filled...

Meet Hairy Maclary and his rollicking gang in this delightful board book with tabs! Who is covered in spots? Who has a low tum? And who is the roughest and toughest of all? A tabbed board book all about rascally Hairy Maclary and his canine friends! Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy meets a lot of his friends while he's out...

Hairy Maclary and Friends: Cuddle and Play by Lynley Dodd brings together an enchanting cast of characters in a delightful cloth book designed for the littlest of readers. Join the rascally Hairy Maclary and his rollicking gang as they embark on fun-filled adventures. Alongside Hairy Maclary, meet the cheeky and cheerful black cat, Slinky Malinki, and the ever-energetic Zachary Quack...

Discover the vibrant world of colours with Hairy Maclary and Friends: Colours in Maori and English by Lynley Dodd. This delightful bilingual board book invites young readers to explore the colourful adventures of the mischievous Hairy Maclary and his rambunctious gang of friends. Through engaging illustrations and simple, clear text, children will be introduced to a variety of colours in...

Embark on a whimsical adventure down to the sea on a radiant summer morning in A Summery Saturday Morning by Margaret Mahy. With the sun shining brightly and the sound of waves crashing gently on the shore, join a lively group as they journey down a wiggly track, scattering iridescent shells and leaping over fallen logs. The lively dogs are...

But disaster strikes when guitarist Jack breaks his wrist and can no longer play. On top of that, all their hard work fundraising has fallen short! When help comes from unexpected channels, the Velvets make it to the Big Apple just in time to compete against the best kid bands in the whole world, including their new rivals the Blazer...

When Lily's Mum tells her that she wishes she could build a bridge between their two homes, Lily and her dog, Woof, swap stick hunts for bridge hunts and set off in search of a bridge to Australia. This is a charming and whimsical tale of a little girl, her furry best friend, and a big imagination. Kiwis and Koalas...

The Nickle Nackle Tree, penned by the beloved Lynley Dodd, is a delightful and whimsical counting book that will capture the imaginations of babies and young children. Nestled in the fantastical Manglemunching Forest stands the enchanting Nickle Nackle Tree, a magical tree festooned with vibrant red Nickle Nackle berries. However, berries are not the only enchanting features adorning this tree;...

The worldwide bestselling interactive bedtime book for toddlers. This sweet and simple board book invites children to take part in Little Rabbit’s charming new bedtime ritual by helping to put bunny to bed with a fun activity on each page. It’s getting late and Little Rabbit must go to sleep. Can you help him? When Little Rabbit asks “Tickle My...

Beat school holidays boredom with this fun-filled activity book full of mazes, dot-to-dots, colouring-in, games to play and crafty activities to complete! Featuring two full-colour pages of stickers, this wonderful activity book will provide hours of entertainment in your house. Colour, draw and get creative with loads of puzzles to solve, crafts to make and much more. The New Zealand...

Remarkable Animal Stories from New Zealand and Australia by Maria Gill introduces readers to a captivating collection of extraordinary animals from Australasia. Meet Charisma, the double Olympic champion horse; Moko, the playful dolphin; Migaloo, the white whale; and Einstein, the hugging camel. These incredible creatures are just a few of the remarkable animals highlighted in this fascinating and informative book....

Hunt for Niutupu is a picture book by Inangaro Vakaafi, published by Mila’s Books. It is a Pasifika-inspired picture book created to help tamaiti feel seen, heard, and valued.

Robert is delighted when a hippopotamus follows him home from school one day. The next day he is followed by four hippos, then nine, and eventually his yard is crowded with hippos - and that is just the beginning! A captivating tale where an everyday trip becomes a magical experience. From award-winning author Margaret Mahy and bestselling illustrator Steve Kellogg.

A gorgeous, award-winning illustrated story about our place in the Universe - it comes with a billion star rating! From glittering galaxies to busy city streets, this stunning picture book takes you on a tour around the Universe. I am the Universe, an infinite space of glittering galaxies. It's a starlit journey through space that will lead you to a...

Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...

A brand new equestrian series for fans of the bestselling Showtym Adventures! Can Nina help the Wilson sisters tame a wild Brumby into a child's dream pony? All ten-year-old Nina has ever dreamed of is working with ponies. When the renowned horsewoman Kelly Wilson invites her to help tame a wild pony for the Australian Brumby Challenge, Nina has to...

It smells like sunshine. It sounds like whispers. It looks like rainbows... It feels like love. Nana made hug blankets for all her family. Each one was special. We love our Nana. A joyful story of family, love, and loss but above all else, love. The Hug Blanket captures the essence of these precious moments with warmth and tenderness.

The house is quiet, no one is awake, and Lion guards the cake. Little by little the cake disappears ... but where does it go? Lion is full of pride when it comes to guarding his home, and when the birthday cake has been made for the next day’s celebrations, he goes where he is needed most ... to guard...

Mel and her cousin Harriet couldn't bear the thought of brave Kiwi boys being cared for by some bumbling, poorly trained person while the Great War raged on, half a world away. When these nurses joined the NZ Army Nursing Service and boarded ships headed for Egypt, Anzac Cove and beyond, they had little idea of the horrors they would...

Tama is down at the lake with his sisters and grandparents. When his sisters tease him about a taniwha being in the river, he takes a deep breath and dives in anyway. What is that wonderful, swirling, sparkling apparition? Is it a taniwha ... or is it something else altogether?

Kids will love this fun New Zealand retelling of the classic adventure, which hides a moa in every illustration. Kids will love this fun New Zealand retelling of the classic adventure, which hides a moa in every illustration. We're going on a moa hunt. We're not scared. We're going to catch a BIG one. We're NOT scared! Uh-oh . ....

Mrs Gimble's cat would love to prowl, but has only three legs. Mrs Gimble's brother, who prowls the world, comes to visit and mistakes the cat for his hat ...A gloriously funny picture book.

Rhyming children's picture book with full colour illustrations. Emily the Kiwi: "Everyone knows that kiwi birds always sleep in the day - all except Emily the Kiwi, who loves to play her ukulele." A story about the joy of music and sharing. Also featuring Annie the Granny, Louie the Tui, Molly Morepork, Abigail Fantail, and others.

With the same beautiful illustrations as the original book, the te reo Māori translation retains the humour, rhyme, and rhythm of the original story and the clever character of the little mouse whose antics trick all the animals and Te Tanguruhau - the Gruffalo. An audio file of the book being read in te reo Māori is also available.

There’s trouble at home — Dad is stinking up the house! Red Pants Boy jumps into action and enlists the whole family to help with a Father’s Day gift for Dad. They combat the smell with roses, perfume and even a cleverly constructed contraption: Hey presto! Hurray! We’ve made an exhaust pipe to take Dad’s farts away. Now the air...

When old enough to fly alone, Kaiana is given a plane ticket by her family to visit her grandmother, Teiti, who lives on a Pacific Island. There, beside a beach full of creatures, her adventures begin, as does her close relationship with Teiti. It's a heart-warming story about a grandmother and granddaughter meeting for the first time. Kaiana and Teiti...

Meet Puffin, a clever architect who always creates the perfect home for her clients. But her newest clients are very hard to please! Puffin is an architect who always exceeds her clients' expectations, that is, until she takes on the toughest clients ever – her own pufflings! Puffin takes her tricky new clients on an inspirational tour of her builds....

Every single day, through the minutes and hours, there's always a time to use my superpowers! Children can use an amazing toolkit of mental skills every day to explore their feelings and express their needs - their very own superpowers! Jessica Urlichs, author of the number one bestseller The Rainbow in My Heart, teams up with illustrator and primary school...

Meet some of our favourite kiwi kararehe and find out what they like to do best! Learn to introduce yourself and your favourite activities too.

From award-winning picture book creator Ruth Paul comes a new series about a plucky dolphin called Little Hector and his BIG adventures. A gorgeous new picture book for young children to find out all about the tiny and endangered Hector's dolphin. Introducing Little Hector and the Big Blue Whale! A small but daring dolphin, Little Hector swims out into the...

If you loved Donovan Bixley's bestselling LOOKY BOOK, you will adore The Christmas Looky Book - a hilarious 24-page festive puzzle book with hours of quality fun for readers aged five and up. Spot the difference: Santa has been and changed around the Christmas decorations; match the New Zealanders to their presents; how many reindeer can you find in the...

Discover a delightful journey through the world of colours with Ngā Tae – Colours, a charmingly illustrated book by Kitty Brown and Kirsten Parkinson. This enchanting addition to the Reo Pēpi Rua Series 2 introduces young readers to the vibrancy of the natural world through a playful exploration of colours in the te reo Māori language. Each page invites tamariki...

In Te Kuia me te Pūngawerewere/The Kuia and the Spider by Patricia Grace, a delightful tale unfolds, depicting the gentle rivalry between a kuia (elder woman) and a particularly talented spider. The kuia diligently spends her time weaving intricate mats and baskets, a craft imbued with tradition and skill, while the spider crafts her delicate web in the corner of...

Very charming story for small children, aged 2-6. In this story of cosy and chaotic family life, the imaginative world of a little child is front and centre. Rosie likes to wrap things up: her crayons, her toys, her kitten, a parcel for Granny, some baking, and flowers. Rosie herself is wrapped up in a towel after her bath; her...

Auckland in the 1950s: a time of rock'n'roll, milk bars, bodgies and widgies, and teenage rebellion. The Auckland Harbour Bridge is under construction. Simon likes watching the bridge being built and talking to his uncle and his mates about what's happening on site. Meanwhile, Simon's best friend, Marty, is obsessed with the Space Race, and younger sister Jo can't stop...

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, Te Kī Taurangi a Puanga: He pūrākau Matariki introduces readers...

Little Kiwi and the Goodnight Sing-Song features Little Kiwi, who's ready for a snooze, but there's a catch—what's that noise? Lift the flaps and help him find the perfect sleeping spot with no birds, no frogs, no bugs, and no pesky noises! This is a funny lift-the-flap story for Little Kiwi fans, written by bestselling author Bob Darroch. It playfully...

Meet Joan Wiffen, a super-determined, self-taught palaeontologist, and join her on the hunt for the fossils that will prove New Zealand once had dinosaurs. The award-winning true story of science superstar Joan Wiffen, whose fossil discoveries proved that dinosaurs lived in ancient New Zealand. Once there was a clever girl who liked searching for interesting things on the ground. She...

In Hairy Maclary, Hide and Seek by Lynley Dodd, the lovable and mischievous canine, Hairy Maclary, embarks on a playful adventure around his neighbourhood. As he gets into his usual antics, the neighbourhood cats are hot on his trail, each trying to catch a glimpse of him. The story takes an exciting turn when Hairy Maclary comes face-to-face with Scarface...