New Zealand Children's Books

Long ago, Ataraxia was a magical, united nation where dragons lived in harmony. Now, the three dragon tribes—Cliffs, Fireflys, and Ferns—are divided and live in fear, hiding from monsters like the ferocious Blade Wolf. King Cliff rules the Cliff dragons...

Set in the 1960s, Koro’s Star is a heart-warming, exciting adventure story. It’s the beginning of the summer holidays in 1967 when 10-year-old Atama moves with his family into a new army base. His father, Atama’s hero, departs for Vietnam,...

I was walking down the road, and I saw a donkey ... hee-haw! And he only had three legs. He was a wonky donkey ... In this very funny, cumulative song, each page tells us something new about the donkey...

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....

Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers by Lynley Dodd is an enchanting tale that captures the curiosity and mischief of one spirited cat during the festive season. This large-format, board book edition of the beloved story from the bestselling Hairy Maclary and...

A best-selling, rip-roaring, page-turning tale of dragons and their brave child guardians, with mind-blowing, interactive augmented reality content accessible via free app AR Reads. Evil boss The Pitbull has wasted nine months waiting for the dragon's egg he stole from...

Let's discover some of Aotearoa's plants and insects and learn their names in English and Maori! This beautiful, brightly illustrated board book introduces babies to the array of plants and insects that are found in New Zealand's great outdoors. From...

Battle of the Mountains by Peter Gossage is a captivating retelling of a cherished Maori legend about the majestic mountains of New Zealand's central North Island. Renowned for his vivid illustrations and timeless storytelling, Gossage immerses readers in a mythic...

The Case of the Angry Ghost: Violet and the Velvets Book 2 by Rachael King follows Violet and her band as they make it to BandChamps! Armed with their own songs, they're competing alongside their school rivals, The Alphas, for...

Award-winning illustrator and author Donovan Bixley provides hours of entertainment with a new puzzle book in The Looky Book series. You'll have a ball of a time diving into the crazy world of The Sporty Looky Book.Can you find all...

Encounter New Zealand's amazing array of wildlife in this award-winning illustrated companion volume to Aotearoa: The New Zealand Story A spectacular illustrated picture book exploring New Zealand's unique landscapes and its incredible wildlife by the author of Aotearoa: The New...

Hairy Maclary's Bone by Lynley Dodd is a charming and playful children's picture book that captivates readers with its rhythmic verses and delightful illustrations. This whimsical story follows the adventurous little dog, Hairy Maclary, who is overjoyed when he is...

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...

Discover the story of New Zealand through this multiple-award-winning, richly illustrated visual history by Gavin Bishop. Over a thousand years ago, the wind, sea currents and stars brought people to the islands that became known as Aotearoa, the land of...

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

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...

Hours of fun for the kids - and the adults! The Looky Book is a puzzle book mostly for young children with 11 different puzzles, all featuring colourful New Zealand landscapes, birds, and animals. Find the numbers with the crazy...

The Wheels on the Bus go round and round. Everyone knows the song. But now the bus is going around beautiful New Zealand, and its passengers are characters you just might know: kiwi, penguin, tuatara, fantail and many more. Come...

When Getwin, Lea and Buckle—with the help of Sharp the raven—unearth the trickster Book of Blacke, they embark on a quest to undo the controls on their world, seeking justice for the Scribes who are forced to work and for...

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...

Christmas in Summer, it's always a stunner, the children, they laugh and they play. Sing along with this Down Under delight! This catchy new song from Suzy Cato and the Itty Bitty Beats will be a hit with young and...

A bedtime classic in the making Dreams are things that come to you when you close your eyes Some are magical, some are fun and some are a surprise. They find you when you're sleeping, dreams of every kind. A...

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

Find Me a Tiger by Lynley Dodd is a delightful look-and-find story that invites children into a whimsical journey through various natural habitats. In this engaging rhyming tale, young readers will explore lush jungles, arid deserts, and winding rivers, all...

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

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

If you'd like to speak the beautiful Maori language with your kids, this is the book to get you started! Help your tamariki to korero Maori with this brilliant first words book by Stacey Morrison, gorgeously illustrated by Ali Teo...

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...

A special hardback 50th anniversary edition of the much-loved fairy story, Badjelly the Witch. Badjelly the Witch has been delighting children for 50 years! Celebrate with this gorgeous gift edition of the classic story. Badjelly, the baddest witch in all...

Find out how Kuwi the Kiwi looks after her newly laid egg. She knits a scarf, sings a waiata, and takes it out to play, but Egg doesn't seem too impressed. When the egg begins to crack, Kuwi thinks she...

'Twas the night before Christmas and all round the bach, not a possum was stirring; not one could we catch. Take one Santa dressed in singlet and shorts, and put him on a miniature tractor pulled by eight flying sheep,...

Eleven-year-old Lonasei is lonely — she wishes her older sister Eva Grace wasn't so mean, and that her mum Aria didn't have to work so much. But when Aria inherits her childhood home, Lonasei discovers she can enter her late Aunt...

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.

The brilliantly interactive, bestselling picture book that tickles the funny bones of both children and adults. Elephant wants to play hide and seek. You can play too. But you’ll need to try your best—he’s VERY good! He can even hide...

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. A vibrant modern fairytale about a...

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.

An attractive kete gift bag of three stories to celebrate Matariki and explore the wonders and traditions of Māori New Year. Flit the Fantail & the Matariki Map: Join Flit and his friends, Keri the kiwi and wise old Ruru,...

Manawatia a Matariki! Celebrate Matariki with this book bursting with activities and colouring-in pages. My Matariki Colouring and Activity Book is a colouring book that also includes a range of activities such as crafts and puzzles, as well as a...

A Maori-English edition of the classic, award-winning story about a boy who makes friends with a taniwha, by one of Aotearoa's foremost artists. Trailblazing Maori artist Robyn Kahukiwa's award-winning picture book about a boy who makes friends with a taniwha...

The first in a terrible, terrific, funny and heartwarming new series by award-winning children’s author, Swapna Haddow, hilariously illustrated by Minky Stapleton. In a world where all animals have superpowers, café workers Zeb the zebra, Margarine the penguin and Barry...

From the creators of the hilarious Nee Naw and Stink-o-saurus books, comes a new spin-off character kids will love! Singer-songwriter Dean O’Brien has produced yet another toe-tapping, sing-along song (to download or stream), this time about Nee Naw’s good friend,...

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...

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...

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...

Top 10 Bestselling Children's Title It's Christmas time! Let's create some Christmas cheer with Donovan Bixley's My Kiwi Christmas. From Santa (Ko Hana Koko) to Christmas Tree (Rakau Kirihimete), decorations (He Whakarakei) to dessert (He purini), come explore Christmas with...

Practise your bilingual counting skills with Te Kaute. Have fun finding all our favourite toys in the pīwari pikitia!

In Scarface Claw, Hold Tight by Lynley Dodd, readers are treated to another delightful romp in the beloved Hairy Maclary and Friends series. The story begins with a tranquil morning, Scarface Claw basking in the sun, his tail curled around...

Five funny stories about New Zealand’s favourite Grandpa, now available in a keepsake bind-up edition. Scholastic NZ’s Grandpa series has been in Kiwi family homes for over 33 years. These beloved, funny, and relatable tales are told in simple language...

An exuberant read aloud story about a school trip outdoors with rhyming word play and madcap energy, starring the quiet observant Liam. From the awardwinning creators of That’s Not a Hippopotamus. It’s the class trip to Dismal Hills wilderness. The...

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...

Kupe's voyage to Aotearoa! Kupe found that a huge, fearsome wheke (octopus) was taking all the fish in the ocean and the people of Hawaiki had nothing to eat.So Kupe chased that wheke across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean). Finally...

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...

Immerse your young reader in the delightful world of counting with Hairy Maclary and Friends: 123 in Māori and English by Lynley Dodd. This charming board book combines the playful antics of the beloved Hairy Maclary and his friends with...

The Dragon Defenders - Book Five: The Grand Opening is the fifth and final book in the best-selling Dragon Defenders series. It's all over - The Pitbull has won! He's captured every last dragon from The Island, and brought them...

Scarface Claw, Hold Tight by Lynley Dodd takes readers on an exhilarating and humorous high-speed adventure starring the cantankerous yet loveable cat, Scarface Claw. In this beautifully illustrated board book edition, we are drawn into Scarface's whiskers-bristling escapade, perfect for...

The 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...

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

A vibrant celebration of kindness, gratitude, self-worth, and belonging from poet Jessica Urlichs and artist Ant Sang. It all began one morning, though it happens all the time. With little acts of kindness, we can help each other shine. Join...

Children of the Rush - Book 3 is the third and final book in the Children of the Rush middle grade novel trilogy. It is historical fiction, set in Otago and Hokitika, New Zealand during the gold rushes of the...

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,...

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...

Bullied at school about his stutter, and feeling ignored at home by his mum, stepdad and stepsister, Thomas takes off to the beach with the family dog, Lucy. The dog begins barking outside a cave. Bold enough to investigate, Thomas...

Granny McFlitter, the champion . . . bull fighter? Granny McFlitter, our favourite champion knitter, is back! And this time, it's to save the A&P Show. Can Granny outwit - or should we say outknit - a rampaging bull? "Ole!"...

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...

(Sam: Nothing could be as bad as being covered in icky purple blobs ... wait, what does carnivorous mean again?) The gang is determined to defeat Glam-Evil and her nasty curses so that they can save their park and get...

Dragonkind is FREE! Free from the terror of the Blade Wolf. Free to fly the skies and roam across the land.Firefly dragon sisters Dessa and Sacha could not be happier. For them, this is a dream come true. Their happiness...

Pu and Ru's Bird Beak Clues by Jez Smith is a delightful journey with Pu the pukeko and Ru the ruru, who present a series of engaging rhyming clues for children to solve. The central mystery revolves around identifying which...

A young boy learns about the customs around celebrating Matariki from his grandfather. They watch the stars from the top of a mountain, prepare their offering of food for the gods, and the boy learns about Te Waka o Rangi...

The beloved character Hairy Maclary is back in another delightful adventure in Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness by Lynley Dodd. This time, the mischievous terrier finds himself amidst the excitement and pandemonium of a local cat show. Determined to be a part...

Immerse your little ones in a heart-warming counting adventure with Hedgehog Howdedo by Lynley Dodd. This charming story introduces children to the delightful world of hibernating hedgehogs nestled snugly in a peaceful garden. As winter blankets the earth, the sleepy...

In Hairy Maclary Scattercat by Lynley Dodd, young readers are invited to join the boisterous and mischievous Hairy Maclary as he bounces through his neighbourhood, feeling bumptious, bustly, bossy, and bouncy. His frisky antics lead him on a bustling and...

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, Waiti and Waita: one looks after fresh water and lakes, the other...

Meet 38 extraordinary children: an electric child, a flying child, elastic, invisible, miniature, a child made of cake. The Remarkables is a big book of fantasy and humor that entertains and provides a way to talk about emotions and identity....

Meet Dame Whina Cooper, the kuia who championed Māori rights and women's rights and led a famous hīkoi for positive change. The true story of one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most exceptional leaders and a courageous wahine toa, who united...

A gentle and powerful story that reclaims the sacredness of a girl’s first ikura (period) through a Māori lens — celebrating connection, ceremony and whakapapa. Rooted in te ao Māori, My First Ikura and the reo Māori translation Taku Ikura...

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...

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...

A glorious chorus with sumptuous illustrations by leading children's book creator Donovan Bixley. A thought-provoking yet fun story with an environmental theme by bestselling, award-winning New Zealand author Donovan Bixley. Hear that glorious chorus, it's soaring uproarious, with the jingle...

The Dragon Defenders series is a best-selling, rip-roaring, page-turning series of dragons and their brave child guardians, with mind-blowing, interactive augmented reality content accessible via free app AR Reads. The Pitbull's plans to capture the dragons from Flynn and Paddy's...

'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...