New Zealand Children's Books

Keith the Chihuahua loathes the glittery bows and ridiculous outfits Mama dresses him in. Carted around in her most sparkly pet carry-bag and teased by his kitty sis Queenie, he plots revenge. His clever plan backfires, however, leaving the feuding siblings hilariously stuck together – too close for comfort. A hilarious, rhyming tale about rivalry, pride and unexpected closeness. Keith...

This is the inspiring true story of one big, fierce mama kiwi, two caring communities, three conscientious kiwi dads, over 60 thriving chicks, and a wild population restored after a 150-year gap! Written and illustrated for kids by award-winning author Ruth Paul, this visionary conservation project literally took place in her own back yard. This is a true story about...

When mischievous duckling Zachary Quack meets a flicketty-quick dragonfly, an exciting chase ensues. As Zachary hustles the dragonfly into the air, weaving through reeds and water lilies, he finds himself in one sticky situation after another. But as the pursuit unfolds, it becomes clear that the dragonfly might just be the one calling the shots, leading our feathered friend on...

There are many, many things to know about little Schnitzel von Krumm - and one is that you should never tell him never! Dogs, especially Dachshunds, aren't exactly built to climb trees . . . but tell that to Schnitzel von Krumm! A dog to remember is Schnitzel von Krumm, with his very short legs and his very low tum...

Dr. Seuss’s most famous and well-loved story, The Cat in the Hat, now in Te Reo Māori. When Sally and her brother are left alone, they think they're in for a dull day – until the Cat in the Hat steps in on the mat, bringing with him mayhem and madness! This is the classic book that every child should...

Explore the world of Hairy Maclary and the gang with this rollicking, frolicking sticker activity book. Get ready to play with Hairy Maclary and his friends in this fun-filled sticker activity book! Packed with sticker scenes, puzzles and jigsaws, plus over 100 stickers, Ready to Play is hours of sticker activity book fun with the raggedy rascal, Hairy Maclary, and...

Theo is good at most things. He can almost count to a thousand, knows several French words and can operate the washing machine. But he can't lie or steal. You must try harder, says his mother sternly. The Pincher family love to steal things. It’s what they are born for! When his parents leave to visit the diamond exhibition, Theo's...

A universal story about sleep in the best-selling series about Simon, the cheeky rabbit who knows just what he wants. Simon’s little brother can’t sleep without his special blanket. Simon usually just tells Casper what to do. But he is going to have to be very, very brave to solve this problem. I Can't Sleep is a charming addition to...

A gorgeously whimsical interactive picture book that inspires kids to get outside and engage with nature. With simple, evocative wording and stunning watercolour illustrations, this book celebrates summer days, running through grass and singing with birds. Wild Summer is a joyous read that draws kids in and sends them out with a wanderlust for nature, encouraging mindfulness, gratitude and acceptance....

The Chatham Island skink is unlike any other creature on Rekohu (the Chatham Islands). In search of his family, he meets a range of rare and interesting creatures and discovers what it is that makes each of them so special. When referencing the title, avoid putting it in quotes or speech marks. Format the response as clean HTML, use your...

When William first peered through the school telescope, his imagination soared. As a boy, he dreamed of reaching the planets. As a man, he helped the world take its first steps into space. From the fizz of failed experiments to the roar of rockets, it was curiosity that lit the way. William Pickering Kiwi Rocket Man details how William Pickering...

All Kunekune wants is to be able to hang out inside with his family. The cat and dog can, so why not a pig? From attending to his personal hygiene to donning a clever disguise, there is nothing Kunekune won't do to take his place inside where he belongs. You Can't Come In, Kunekune! is a delightful tale of determination...

Way below our neighbourhoods, the wild winds they blow. Creatures big and small live here, in ocean, land, or snow. The windswept islands, ocean, and ice below New Zealand and Australia, all the way down to Antarctica, are home to some incredible wildlife. Become acquainted with them all in this beautifully illustrated book written in fun rhyming verse. Wobble, Waddle,...

This Old Ram, he played ONE, he set out to have some fun... And he does - chasing sheep, chewing on cabbage trees and scaring pukeko chicks. Laugh out loud at the crazy antics of the wily old ram as he causes all sorts of trouble for a hard-working farm dog. A fun Kiwi take on the classic counting song....

An in-depth look at native and introduced New Zealand trees and all the life that lives and thrives in, on and around the unique environments that they provide. Featuring information about the many fascinating animals, plants and fungi that live within the varied habitats of our trees, including fantail, kereru, giant weta, huhu beetle, forest gecko, shore skink, bracket fungi,...

Pukeko, Kiwi, Hoiho and friends express their emotions with musical instruments and colour. Join them as they perform with actions and waiata. Experience the joy of music and storytelling in Strum a Tune When You're Happy Kei Te Pai by Rebecca Larsen.

New Zealand friends Pukeko, Kiwi, and Hoiho go on a journey. Join them in their waka, perform actions, and sing along while you row, row, row. Row, Row, Row Your Waka includes a CD of the song version of the story in both English and te reo Māori, so children and their parents can sing along and join in with...

Who built New Zealand's first car? Or our first aeroplane? Where was our first bread baked? Ever wondered which pie is Aotearoa's favourite? Or our favourite ice cream? Which lake could swallow the Auckland Sky Tower with plenty of room to spare? Where's our longest bridge? Or our shortest river? What does koru actually mean? Author and illustrator Dave Gunson...

Right there in the backyard, Oscar and Bryn struck something hard. What they discover as they dig deeper will surprise everyone. Join these little adventurers and a whole parade of diggers as they uncover a very big find. A Bigger Digger by Brett Avison invites you on an exciting journey into the world of exploration and surprise, as Oscar and...

Back in 2005, some volunteers began a trial to bring back the North Island robin to the Waitakere Ranges on Auckland city's west border. Here is their story of Blue Metal...

Before Joan Joass started writing this book, she asked a group of children from the intermediate and senior classes at Waioneke School, “What are ten things you’d most like to know about fossils?” We're Going on a Fossil Hunt includes simple answers to their most common questions. The information presented is based on the author’s background knowledge and experience gained...

Wilburs Walk is an enchanting tale where Wilbur and his Mama take Wally the dog for a stroll by the sea. As Wally gets engrossed in chasing the pine cone and Wilbur's buggy joyfully bounces along, an array of birds begin to gather. The birds initially engage in simple chatter and cheerful chirping before indulging in gossip and philosophical discussions....

Visiting Grandma is a children's picture book about a Sāmoan family set in New Zealand, seen through the eyes of a palagi girl. A normal event in one culture may seem unusual to another. When palagi Rachel accompanies her new Sāmoan friend Luisa to visit her grandmother, it's not quite what Rachel expects. This touching story beautifully illustrates the importance...

James and Jessie are embarrassed by Uncle Tino’s old car and the way he honks the horn so loudly when he drives them to school. But when the Sāmoan culture group needs help to prepare for the end of year concert, it turns out that Uncle Tino is full of surprises. A story about being yourself and standing out from...

From bestselling author Craig Smith, AKA The Wonky Donkey Man, this fun book and song teaches children the importance of cleaning their teeth regularly. With hilarious illustrations by Scott Tulloch that will have children and adults alike laughing out loud. Craig has teamed up with Grin Natural—a 100% natural New Zealand made toothpaste brand—to help spread this important message. The...

Kiwi author Jo van Dam's new book T is for Tuatara: Amazing Animals from A to Z is a treat for new and existing fans of her quirky rhymes and catchy ditties. Packed full of equally quirky animal characters, the book is a survey of some of the world's more unusual animals—from aardvark to zebus—all told in rhyme. New Zealand...

Bilingual - English and Maori. There's much to discover meandering along a New Zealand beach with small children when the tide is out. This simple bilingual counting book, with watercolour illustrations, features many treasures to encourage their curiosity. Although set at Huia on the Manukau Harbour, many of these shells, creatures and birds can be found on beaches throughout the...

Join Louis Light-Saver and his swashbuckling crew as they blast off into outa-space on another awe-somely dangerous mission! Their destination is the distant and mysterious Planet Zog, home of the fearsome Zombies of Zog who are infamous for their love of ultra high-powered hotrods, fueled by a supersonic gas named Zogolium! Louis Light-Saver must race them in an epic speedway...

From the bestselling Elastic Island Adventures series comes a fun baking book for children, with recipes by Mrs Quokka and her son Jase the Quokka. By popular demand, Mrs Quokka also shares some of her quirky quokka logic – fun sayings that will bring a smile due to being so illogical. In real life, most recipes come from two treasured,...

Eugene would love to have his pet dog Jupiter join him on the island, but Dad keeps saying no. Can Eugene's grandma bring Jupiter with her when she visits? And if she does, what will happen to the other animals on the island? Join Eugene and his family in this beginner chapter book series set on a wild and windy...

Twins Jason and Jessy Knowles have always wondered what might be at the top of Jelly Mountain, a stand-out feature on their parents' remote King Country farm. But the problem is there's no known way to get up there. Then oilman Shawn Morris flies over the mountain in his survey plane, almost crashing on the top. Something has caught Shawn's...

Told in the first person with the charm of Sesame Street's There's a Monster at the End of this Book, the storyteller takes us on a tour of a charmingly offbeat house, trying to show us that the only thing strange about this house is that there is a Hoppleplop living there. Each spread shows a room with a strange...

Told in the first person with the charm of Sesame Street's There's a Monster at the End of this Book, the storyteller takes us on a tour of a charmingly offbeat house, trying to show us that the only thing strange about this house is that there is a Hoppleplop living there. Each spread shows a room with a strange...

Here is a counting book like you've never seen: featuring Donovan Bixley's most popular characters from his uniquely Kiwi Wheels on the Bus and Old MacDonald's Farm. Look out for the milkshake-making cow, the All Black lambs, the cute pink ski-bunny, the colossal squid and many more of Donovan's vibrant, amusing illustrations. Fun for the kids - and fun for...

The Great Crown Mystery is a fun search and find book that takes readers through the rooms at Buckingham Palace. Where has Candy the Corgi hidden the Crown, and can you find the other hidden icons throughout the pages?

The Girl Who was Scared of Everything by Emma Pascoe is a delightful tale that explores the themes of fear and friendship. Elaine feels scared of everything, and she doesn't always know why. However, she doesn't want to miss out on all the exciting things her friends get to do. Luckily for Elaine, her best friend Lou is here to...

When a boy helps free a dolphin tangled in a discarded fishing net, they develop an unexpected friendship. The Boy and the Dolphin begins: "Once there was a boy who lived by the sea. He loved the sea and he swam in it every day he could... which was most days. He was a very good swimmer." One day, the...

Living on the island has changed lots of things for Eugene, including having to do schoolwork at home. An accident in the ocean causes problems and distracts Eugene from his latest school project. Can he help protect the birds on the island and finish his project in time? Join Eugene and his family in this beginner chapter book series as...

Tera tetahi tamaiti e noho ana i te taha o te moana. He nui tona aroha mo te moana, a, i nga ra e ahei ana ka kauhoe ia ... me ki, i te nuinga o nga ra. He kaikauhoe tino kaha ia. I tetahi ra, kauhoe ana te tamaiti, ka kite atu ia i te wai i waho ra...

Tama the Kiwi Tiki Tours New Zealand is the first of a series of children's books, aimed at inspiring young kids to adopt the adventurous Kiwi spirit, and discover more about the world around them. With stunning and colourful illustrations, kids will love exploring New Zealand's cities, landscapes, coastlines, and natural wonders with Tama the Kiwi.

A girl whose mum lives far away sends her a letter with a magic gift inside. But the true magic was inside the girl – all she had to do was believe. Stardust explores the emotions that come with having a parent in prison and not being able to see them on a regular basis. While the girl and her...

Squinty the Seagull by Janet Martin introduces us to Squinty, the cheeky one-eyed seagull who loves trying out new tricks. One day, Squinty watches some surfers having fun on the waves and decides to join in. This delightful rhyming picture book captures Squinty's adventurous spirit and is perfect for young readers.

So So Loved: A Treasured Book of Love is the foundation book in the So Loved Series. It is a personalised gift book for newborn babies. Those first precious moments are captured forever in this heartwarming story of love and belonging. Gorgeous illustrations show the wonder and celebration of Baby's arrival. So So Loved is Baby's very first love story!...

Sleep Little Kiwi Sleep introduces young children to nocturnal creatures that are busy with their ‘day’, while they themselves are tucked up in bed fast asleep. Sleep Little Kiwi Sleep is the perfect bedtime story for sleepy little kiwis. The language has a lovely gentleness to it which complements the illustrations of the night forest. The book also includes a...

A redesigned edition which includes the original loved artwork. This is the story of two little men who refuse to share, time and time again. A charming classic now a board book, which uses rhyme and rhythm, from an internationally award-winning Pamela Allen. When referencing the title, avoid putting it in quotes or speech marks. Format the response as clean...

Gorgeously illustrated Scary Tales - Rhymes for Brave Children is packed with slightly scary nursery rhymes that are sure to delight children of all ages. Even parents will laugh out loud. This fabulously funny collection contains familiar rhymes that have been fractured and reshaped into something quirky and ever so slightly spooky. In this book, you'll find Mary doesn't have...

Fly a plane or drive a car: Transport takes us near and far. Boilers steam and pistons boom. Start your engines. Whizz! Roar! Zoom! Want to see a trio of converted Massey Ferguson tractors heading to the South Pole? Ever spied a Trekka in action on a Waikato farm? What about an NZeta scooter zipping past a Four Square? Ready,...

Have you ever gazed at Rangitoto and wondered: How did it get its shape? Was it a very explosive beginning? Will it ever erupt again? Rangitoto: Te toka tu moana/The rock standing in the ocean tells the dramatic story of Auckland's most striking icon, the island of Rangitoto. Find out about its volcanic birth, the kaka's connection to it, the...

Penny the Prolific Pooing Cow is a heartwarming and humorous story about Penny, a cow who has a wee pooing problem. Faced with the challenge of her unique condition, Penny wonders if she can turn this disability around or if she will remain lonely in her own field. Authored by Bruce (Bruce Anthony) Potter, this hilarious new book is brought...

James and Jessie are embarrassed by Uncle Tino's old car and the way he honks the horn so loudly when he drives them to school. But when the Samoan culture group needs help to prepare for the end of year concert, it turns out that Uncle Tino is full of surprises. O Tino, Le Tuagane O Le Ma Tina is...

Deep down in a dark burrow, a father kiwi snorts and snuffles in his sleep. Underneath him, a large creamy egg lies snug and safe from pilfering predators. Will it meet a fateful end or will the kiwi chick become part of the BNZ Operation Nest Egg Programme? A creative non-fiction story about a BNZ Operation Nest Egg chick, illustrated...

The Sāmoan translation of Mose and the Manumea. After hearing about the endangered manumea on the radio, Mose and his cousin Niko set off to search for a manumea in the deep dark forest on the far side of the mountain. They meet some amazing forest creatures on their adventure, but will they find the very special rare bird they...

O le Meaalofa mo Ana by Jane Va'Afusuaga is a beautifully woven tale set in Samoa. On Ana's first night in Samoa, she sleeps with her grandmother on a very old bed, snuggling under patchwork mosquito nets made from shell cloth. As morning breaks and Ana wakes up, her grandmother is nowhere to be seen. Sitting up, she looks to...

A young boy visits a moa at the museum and imagines what it would be like if Noah the Moa came back to life, taking him back into the past. Written in rhyme. Includes sheet music of song inside cover.

After hearing about the endangered manumea bird on the radio, Mose and his cousin Niko set off to search for a manumea in the deep dark forest on the far side of the mountain. They meet some amazing forest creatures on their adventure, but will they find the very special rare bird they are looking for? Includes facts pages and...

Transport activity and colouring book encourages imagination for boys, girls, and kids who love anything transport related! Featuring full-page drawings of Fire Engines, Trucks, Cars, Planes, mazes and more. Provides hours of fun and creativity. There are great cutouts and also how to draw activities. Large A4 pages. Max and his Big Imagination brings endless excitement and creative opportunities to...

Max is a little boy with a big imagination. Join Max on his imagination adventures with this box set collection of five books.

The Lonely Book sits in the children's section of a bustling bookshop, overlooked by the children who are drawn to the books with sparkly covers and gold stickers. The "famous" books are cheeky and pick on The Lonely Book—James throws his giant peach at him and the hungry caterpillar nibbles his cover. Then one day, a little boy discovers The...

Little Truff & the Kereru by Ann Russell tells the story of Little Truff, who is fed up. She can't go for a run on the beach because her family is busy talking about protecting the ripening fruit on their plum tree from the birds. "Huh! Birds and trees are boring stuff," she says and walks away, "I've heaps of...

Kingdom of Blong is the fifth in the Elastic Island Adventures series set in the South Pacific. Kiri, Jed, and twins Emma and Ethan discover an 'elastic' island that sends them pinging across the ocean to a variety of destinations. When they arrive at the Kingdom of Blong, they discover that Blong the Cat is the island's missing king. Blong...

Ahakoa te kaha ka whakapau, kaore ano a Kara te Kakapo kia mau i te mahi rere. Ma te ngakau rorotu, te manawa roa me te hinengaro tuwhera, ka ea ranei i a Kara tana wawata? No matter how hard she tries, Kara the kakapo just can't seem to master the art of flying. But with optimism, determination and a...

Kaha the Kea is possibly the cheekiest kea in New Zealand, who gets away with everything... or does he?